Barbara Meister Bender

Aumonier
Dame Barbara Meister Bender, DTJ

Barbara Meister Bender was invested as a Dame of the Order in 2003 by H.E. BGEN Chev. Patrick Edward Rea, GCTJ, GMTJ, Grand Prior XIII. In 2004 she was appointed Aumonier of the Priory.

Dame Barbara Meister hold a B.A. in Music Education from Marycrest College, Davenport, Iowa and has interpreted countless leading roles in opera as well as musical theater. She has performed for companies in Los Angeles, St. Louis, Kansas City, Denver, St. Paul, and The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. She began her career at the Metropolitan Opera Studio, and also sang leading roles at the New York City Opera. She was brought to Broadway following her discovery by Richard Rodgers, an event which led to her appearance on Broadway as Maria, in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, and a subsequent two year NATIONAL TOUR. She has sung with the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera, and in Wolf Trap, Chautauqua, Milwaukee, starring in operetta and the musical theater. She has starred on European television with appearances in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. Gala concerts with orchestras in Vienna, Munich and Berlin have brought international recognition to this "dynamic performer." Together, Barbara Meister and David Bender, drawing on their extensive performing experience, have designed, planned, organized and given over twenty master classes in singing, diction, presentational skills, and stagecraft throughout Europe, Canada and the United States.

She is a member of the Bronxville Field and Tennis Club.

Aumonier@smotjnyc.org