USC School of Music - Opera Studies

Opera at USC Alums are doing great things. Let us know what you've been up to -- operatically.

E-mail Ellen Douglas Schlaefer, Director of Opera Studies eschlaefer@mozart.sc.edu

CONGRATULATIONS TO STEVEN WHITE (SOM 1985-1990) who will be joining the Metropolitan conducting staff in February 2009. He is also artistic director of Opera Roanoke.

www.operaroanoke.org

Scott Guinn (BM 2001)

A 2005 MET National Semi-finalist he has performed with New York City Opera, Sarasota Opera, Knoxville Opera, Opera Memphis, Lyric Opera Cleveland, the Knoxville
Symphony, Memphis Symphony, and the Augusta Symphony

www.scottguinn.com

Martha Zakkary (MM 1999)

Opera Carolina debut as Anna in Nabucco (OCTOBER 2003). Recent performances include Tosca with HGM Productions; work with Dorian Opera Theatre, Harrower Summer Opera, Augusta Choral Society.

Kevin Eckard (DMA 2002)

Currently on the faculty and head of the opera ensemble at the University of Central Oklahoma. Recent appearances include Bishop in Jekyll and Hyde with the Lyric Theatre Oklahoma City

David C. Toulson

(MM-opera directing 2000)

Directed :Don Paasquale for Toledo Opera, Regina for The Catholic University Benjamin T. Rome School of Music; The Barber of Seville for Asheville Lyric Opera The Magic Flute for Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia (Dec. 2004); directed outreach programs for Tulsa Opera, Connecticut Opera. Assistant director
The Washington National Opera;
Central City Opera (2002-2006) , Virginia Opera, Indianapolis Opera, Newberry Opera;
Jack and the Beanstalk with FBN Productions www.operaforkids.org

Upcoming Engagements:
Rigoletto Asheville Lyric Opera
Pinocchio for FBN Productions

Serena Hill (MM 2003)

Recent performances include Mother in Jack and the Beanstalk for FBN Productions, Inc., Lady with the Cake box in Argento's Postcard from Morocco, Micaela in Carmen for Opera in the Ozarks. Currently adjunct voice faculty at Coker College and Columbia College.

www.youngopera.com/serenahill

Ann Benson
(DMA 1992)

New York operatic debut in the title role of Puccini's Tosca with New York City Opera at Lincoln Center, and subsequently has been in demand with opera companies and symphony orchestras throughoutthe
United States. Ms. Benson made her New York City recital debut at Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall in 1989. Ms. Benson is currently on faculty of Columbia College where she was honored with the Undergraduate Students’ Choice Award for Teaching Excellence. In April 2006 she was featured as Desiree in OPERA at USC's production of Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music
In March 2008 she was
Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd
for Workshop Theatre of SC.

Meredith C. Nutter
(DMA 2003)

A native of Rock Hill, South Carolina, Dr. Nutter serves as a lecturer in opera workshop, diction, and applied voice at Winthrop University. Before joining Winthrop’s faculty in 2000, Mrs. Nutter maintained a large voice studio consisting of Winthrop Academy and private, community students for seven years. She recently made her directorial debut in Winthrop Opera Theatre’s March 2004 production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers. At Winthrop, Dr. Nutter has performed lead roles in Diary of Adam and Eve, The Telephone, Abu Hassan, and Brigadoon. With Opera at USC she performed Norina in Don Pasquale , Nella in Gianni Schicchi and Adina in L’Elisir d’Amore. She has appeared as the soprano soloist in Handel’s Messiah and also in the premiere of Jack Gottlieb’s Psalmistry.

David Arlen Bankston
(DMA 1996)

Dr. David A. Bankston, Associate Professor of Music, at Coastal Carolina University, has performed extensively in opera and musical theater singing leading roles with many American companies including Houston Grand Opera, Washington Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, New Orleans Opera, and the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Regionally, Bankston has been a featured soloist with the Converse College Opera Theater, at the Pawley's Island Music Festival, the South Carolina Philharmonic, and the Augusta, USC, Long Bay and Greenville Symphonies. His musical theater credits include starring roles in Shenandoah (with Howard Keel) and Show Boat (with Van Johnson). He has written a musical play with composer Tony Makarome for children called Faybulous, based on two of Aesop's fables.

Cynthia Hanna
(MM Opera Theatre 2006)

in November 2008 Cynthia Hanna will make her debut with the Washington National Opera where she is a member of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program. Cynthia spent the summer of 2007 with the San Francisco Opera's Merola Program. She has appeared with Opera North, Commonwealth Opera and has been a member of the Virginia Opera Spectrum Young Artist Program.