Soprano Jessica Williams, A Graduate Voice Recital

A Graduate Voice Recital
Jessica Williams, soprano
Sunday, April 20, 2008
4:00 p.m., Orvis Auditorium
Admission Free

Soprano Jessica Williams will perform some of the most elegant and appealing music of art song literature in a Graduate voice recital. The program will include a wide range of selections from Handel, Mozart, Brahms, Berlioz, Britten and many more.

Williams will be graduating in May of 2008 from the University of Hawaiˈi at Manoa with a Masters of Music in Vocal Performance. Although Williams has only been in Hawai'i since the fall of 2006, she has accomplished much. She sought and achieved a position as an associate member of the Mae Z. Orvis Opera Studio. She won second place in both the National Association of Teachers of Singing in 2007 and the National Society of Arts and Letters Hawaiˈi Chapter in 2008.

Williams has performed as the feature soloist at the University of Hawaiˈi’s Spring 2007 Graduate Commencement Ceremony and has been invited back to perform at the upcoming May 2008 ceremonies. Miss Williams has been invited to sing at the master classes of world renowned opera singers baritone Samuel Ramey and tenor Kurt Ollman. She has been privileged to receive private musical training from coaches Jill Gardner and internationally celebrated baritone Jake Gardner as well as Mark Morash, the San Francisco Opera’s director of musical studies.

Williams has been awarded various scholarships from the Orvis Vocal Music Endowed Scholarship as well as with a full time Masters-level Graduate assistantship allowing her to assist with the University of Hawai'i’s choral program.

Williams will also be performing in three scenes at the University of Hawai'i’s upcoming Opera Workshop in Concert on April 25, 2008 at Orvis Auditorium at 7:30pm. Her roles will include Frasquita from Bizet’s French opera Carmen, Susanna from Mozart’s opera buffa Le nozze di Figaro, and Adina from Donizetti’s L'elisir d'amore.

Williams received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, in 2004. During her undergraduate years and up to her arrival in Hawai'i, Williams worked in the Fairfax County Public School system as a part time choral teacher. She also established a private piano and voice studio of twenty students ranging from beginner to intermediate levels.

After the completion of her Masters degree in May of 2008, Williams looks forward to returning to her home in Northern Virginia to serve as one of the choir directors at the 10,000 congregation Mclean Bible Church as well as continuing her pursuit of a career in vocal performance.

Ticket Information
Admission Free

Event Sponsor
Music Department, Manoa

More Information
Music Box Office, 956-8742, jewillia@hawaii.edu, http://www.hawaii.edu/uhmmusic

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