I'm so glad you're here.

I'm Lisa Ruth Niemeier, a composer, pianist, opera singer, and...

musical storyteller.

"With a background in both vocal and piano performance, she brings a unique voice to the contemporary classical landscape — one that is lyrical, emotionally grounded, and rooted in storytelling."

Oclassica

NEWS

Announcing my debut album, "Whitewater"!

Announcing my debut album Whitewater!

Announcing "Talking Shop," a Series of Illuminating Conversations with Consummate Artists

Talking Shop Artist Talks is a series of fun conversations with consummate concert artists, composers, and opera singers!

US Premiere of "Breaking the Walls" with the Richmond Chamber Players

In August 2025, my work Breaking the Walls for piano and cello received it's US premiere with Neal Cary, principal cellist of the Richmond Symphony and myself on piano!

Listen

to my debut album: Whitewater.

View my artist page and see new releases on Oclassica!

OClassica

Talking Shop
ARTIST TALKS

Talking Shop Artist Talks is a series of fun conversations with consummate concert artists, composers, and opera singers!

Ep 11, Artist Talks: Anastasia Petrunina

Anastasia Petrunina is a visiting assistant professor of violin at Furman University. She is also concertmaster for the Augusta Symphony and a passionate proponent of contemporary music.

Talking Shop

Ep 10, Artist Talks: Maria Cecilia Baumegger

Maria Cecilia Baumegger is an Austrian-Brasilian soprano and actor. She has degrees in both drama and vocal performance and she is known for her dynamic stage presence and captivating singing-acting capabilities.

Opera Singers

Ep. 9, Talking Shop: Damien Geter

Damien Geter is an acclaimed American composer experiencing a meteoric rise. His works include chamber, vocal, orchestral, and full operatic works.

Composers

2 3 4

Get the latest Talking Shop post straight to your inbox!

MY COMPOSITIONS

Stories are the foundational component for everything I create, whether through composition or through performance.

My compositions range from chamber music to solo piano, to orchestral pieces and ballets.

Explore a few pieces below!

Reverie

solo piano | 10'

Breaking the Walls

cello & piano | 10'

Mothers and Daughters

piano, soprano | 10'

Peruse & Purchase Compositions

About

ABOUT ME

Emanating from my operatic roots, my performances and compositions create stories inspired by my life and the composers whose music I grew up adoring.

The heartbreaking denial of my professionally encouraged adolescent dream of becoming an opera star has fueled a later-in-life composition and performance career pursuit that is relentless.

I relish performing!

And my recently discovered love for composing has only added fuel to my artistic fire.

went back to music school later in life for a second degree…I always knew I was meant for this work!
stories are the foundational component for everything I create, whether through composition or through performance
the stories I create draw audiences in and invite them to a more personal experience with the music
live in Richmond, VA with my husband and in close proximity to my daughter and her family
love dancing ballet, film, and the ocean