Competitions:

Classical Singer Magazine National Competition for High School students, Chicago, 2009

Two national semifinalists

Winner of Full Scholarship to Interlochen Arts Academy

Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Regional Finals, Denver:

Three 2nd places

One 4th place

Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, District Finals, Denver:

Seven finalists

Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, District Finals, Nevada:

One 1st place

Denver Lyric Opera Guild Competition for Colorado Singers:

One 1st place

One 3rd place

One 5th place

Two 7th places

Two 9th places

High Plains Opera Competition, Colorado:

One 3rd place

National Association of Negro Musicians Scholarship Contest, Rocky Mountain Region:

One 2nd place

Classical Productions Competition National Finals, Carnegie Hall, New York.

One 2nd place

Bel Canto Competition, Denver.

One finalist

Rocky Mountain Theatre Association Competition

1st Place, Musical Theatre Division

Metro State College Vocal Arts Competition For Young Colorado musicians

1st place, High School Division, 2008

National Association of Teachers of Singing, West Central Regional Auditions:

(Students entered three times)

One 1st place

Two 2nd places

Two 4th places

National Association of Teachers of Singing, Rocky Mountain District Auditions:

Numerous 1st, 2nd, 3rd, places and finalists in High School, College, and Open Divisions every year entered from 1988 through present.

NATS Young Leader Award, West Central Region

The Denver Post Ovation Award nominee:

“Best Musical Actress,“ for Percy in ”Spitfire Grill”

Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre, 2008

Artist Apprenticeships and Outreach Programs:

Joseph and Loretta Law Artist Center of Opera Colorado:

Emily Herrera: Resident Artist

Nevada Opera Theatre:

Emily Herrera:  Resident artist

Utah Opera Festival Apprentice Program

Tausha Torrez

Arkansas Opera Apprentice Program:

Susan Bradford

Opera Colorado Outreach Ensemble:

Shauna Southwick

Kelly Stoneberger

Jenee Stewart

Emily Herrera

Opera Fort Collins Education Outreach Program:

Shauna Southwick

Central City Opera “Eureka” Outreach Ensemble:

Montgomery Sykora

Opera Colorado Chorus: 

Forty students (20 sopranos, 10 mezzo sopranos, 7 tenors, 3 baritones), have sung with the Opera Colorado Chorus.

Student Accomplishments

Emily Herrera as Lauretta, “Gianni Schicchi,” Opera Colorado

Heather Mills and Nicole Kandel,

“Lucia di Lammermore”

Opera Colorado

Schools:

Active students have been accepted as voice majors and in many cases been offered scholarships, to the following Colleges and Universities: Oberlin School of Music, Ithaca College, New York University, Vanderbilt University, University of Southern California, Boston Conservatory, University of the Pacific, Pomona College, (full scholarship) New Jersey City University, (full scholarship) Brigham Young University, University of Utah, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Colorado at Denver, University of Northern Colorado, Colorado State University, Metro State College (B.F.A. and B.M. programs) Colorado Christian University, and the University of Denver. Also, The Denver School of the Arts, and the DCPA Theatre Academy.

Opera and Musical Theater Companies:

Active students have performed leading and secondary roles with these Colorado companies:  Opera Colorado, Opera Fort Collins, Opera Theatre of the Rockies, Passaggio Opera Company, Black Box Opera, Loveland Opera Company, Colorado Opera Troupe, Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre, Ovation Players, Backstage Theatre, Ascot Dinner Theatre, Arvada Center Theatre, ACME Comedy Players, Castle Rock Players, Country Dinner Playhouse, Destiny Theatre Productions, Empire Lyric Players, Town Hall Arts Center, Main Street Players, Nomad Arts Center, Aurora Fox Theatre, Shadow Theatre Company, Theatre on Broadway, Performance Now, and Front Range Music Theatre. Students have also performed with companies in Seattle, Nevada, Utah, Arkansas, Arizona, Virginia, Washington D.C., and New York.  Also, students have performed in Germany and Italy, and one has presented lecture recitals on African-American Spirituals throughout the United States.

Reviews of Students’ Performances:

“original music is a key element of ACME shows, and in this production, Lori Duncan stands out vocally.”

                                    “12 steps Beyond,” ACME Comedy Players

                                     The Denver Post, Ed Will

“. . . and  there were outstanding contributions, . . .  especially from soprano Emily Herrera as Lauretta.  Her diminuendo after the climax of the popular “O mio babbino caro” was gorgeous.”

“Gianni Schicchi”, Opera Colorado.

The Denver Post, Jeff Bradley.

“ Emily Herrera played the part of the impetuous Musetta with sass and a capricious vocal dexterity that captivated the audience. Herrera’s performance of “Quando m’en vo”, Musetta’s  flirtatious charming marketplace solo, was completely engaging. One wished she would never stop”.

“La Boheme”, Nevada Opera Theatre.

Las Vegas Review - Journal, Carolyn Wardle.

“ Jennifer Ward’s Fiona is radiant and gorgeous. Her soprano soars through those bonnie lyrical numbers with a power that leaves one speechless”

“Brigadoon”, Town Hall Arts Center.

Spotlight Colorado, David Marlowe.

”the attractive Nikki Kandelind, who plays Hope, has a marvelous voice. She shines on each song. I wanted to hear more from her”

“Anything goes”, Front Range Music Theatre.

The Reporter Herald, Phyllis Walbye.

“ Tausha Torrez is lovely in appearance and voice, making the bittersweet ending less sad than it might otherwise be.”

“The Student Prince”, Utah Festival Opera

                                     Company.

The Salt Lake Tribune, Celia Baker.