Harlie brings passion and a deep commitment to every role, every recital, every song, every monologue. A strong proponent of both American music and theatre, she has premiered numerous songs and performed in readings and workshops of new stage works. She premiered the Washington, DC performance of John Kander’s The Letter from Sullivan Ballou, the song cycle Towns Become Jewels by Mark Adamo, as well as songs by other American composers, Ernst Bacon, David Kane, Paul Nasto, and Scott Upright. She soloed in two new works by Paul Leavitt, the musical Tom to Tenn and his Requiem Mass. She also created the role of Emilia in the world premiere of Fever Longing Still by DC playwright Caleen Sinnett Jennings.
Harlie portrayed Florence Foster Jenkins in the two-person show, Souvenir, the true story of a New York socialite who realized her life-long dream of singing, despite her total lack of any sense of pitch or rhythm. She appeared alongside Patti Lupone in Mark Blitzstein’s Regina at the Kennedy Center and portrayed Amelia in Verdi’sUn Ballo in Maschera with the Repertory Opera Theater of Washington. The strength and versatility of her voice have also brought her numerous roles in Shakespeare productions, including The Winter’s Tale, Merry Wives of Windsor, and Macbeth. She has performed in a variety of recital series, locally and abroad. Venues include: the Kennedy Center Terrace Theatre and Millenium Stage, the Shakespeare Theatre’s Harman Hall, the Mansion at Strathmore Center and the Smithsonian Institution.
Ms. Sponaugle earned her master’s degree in vocal performance from George Mason University and is a graduate of the Honors Conservatory of the Theatre Lab School for the Dramatic Arts. She recently released a CD Longing: American Art Songs, featuring Maury Yeston’s December Songs and works by other contemporary American composers. She also created and maintains www.AmericanArtSong.org, a website dedicated to promoting American song.