KU’s voice/opera program is proud to partner with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City for an apprenticeship program created in 2002 by KU faculty member Mark Ferrell. KU voice faculty are asked to nominate graduate students they believe are qualified to audition at the Lyric Opera (annually). Chosen students can participate in fully-staged opera productions from a varied repertoire, gaining valuable exposure to the professional world of opera. Many of the graduates of this program have gone on to perform at some of the world’s greatest opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Seattle Opera, New York City Opera, and more. More information can be found by visiting http://www.kcopera.org/about/apprentices.aspx.

Recent KU graduates who have performed in this program include:

Kelly Elise Smith - Soprano

Recently:
Madama Butterfly, Kansas Concert Opera
The Rake's Progress, Cosi fan tutte, University of Kansas
Suor Angelica, University of Kansas
Elijah, University of Kansas Symphony Orchestra

Kristee Haney - Mezzo-Soprano

Recently:
Sweeney Todd, Mobile Opera
Picnic, Patience, The University of Kansas
A Little Night Music, St. Petersberg Opera
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Liberty Symphony Orchestra
Nixon in China, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Benjamin Cleveland - Tenor

Recently:
The Rake's Progress, Ruddigore, Patience, Street Scene, University of Kansas

Brad Walker - Bass-Baritone

Recently:
Handel's Messiah, Lansing Symphony Orchestra
The Daughter of the Regiment, Lyric Opera of Kansas City