Mississippi Voice Symposium and Institute at С�� to feature Metropolitan Opera soprano Oropesa

World-renowned opera singer Lisette Oropesa (Submitted photo by Matthew Murphy)

STARKVILLE, Miss.—The voice and choral areas of С��sity’s nationally accredited Department of Music are welcoming high school and college students and educators Jan. 19-20 for the third annual Mississippi Voice Symposium and Institute.

Metropolitan Opera singer Lisette Oropesa is among guests visiting the Starkville campus for the Friday and Saturday event that connects youth and adult musicians with respected instructors in vocal science, pedagogy, literature and performance from the U.S. and abroad.

Registration is open until 5 p.m. on Jan. 12 at . On-site registration takes place Jan. 19 at 9 a.m. in the lobby of С��’s Band and Choral Rehearsal Hall at 72 Hardy Blvd. The cost is $40 for high school teachers, college professors and non-educator adults; $15 for college students; and free for high school students accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or chaperone.

American stage director Alan E. Hicks (Submitted photo)

Other MVSI events include:

Jan. 19

--10 a.m., “Planning Your Career: Using a Five-Year Plan to Give Your Study and Career Direction and Motivation” session with American stage director Alan E. Hicks.

--1:30 p.m., “Professional Singing as a Business” session, where world-renowned Metropolitan Opera singer Lisette Oropesa will discuss her professional music experience and offer insight on career preparation for young singers.

--2 p.m., master class on vocal technique, character and expression with Oropesa.

--3:30 p.m., “Preparing a Role for the Stage: Applying Acting Technique to Study, Rehearsal and Performance” with Hicks.

--7:30 p.m. recital featuring Oropesa and selected students in the sanctuary at First Baptist Church, 106 E. Lampkin St. in Starkville. Admission is included in the registration cost for institute participants. Concert tickets for non-institute participants are $20 and can be reserved via phone at 662-325-3490.

Jan. 20

Kate Fabel, manager and instructor at Firefly Yoga Studio in Starkville (Submitted photo)

--9 a.m., “Body Awareness and Self-Awareness for Singers” yoga session with Kate Fabel, manager and instructor at Firefly Yoga Studio in Starkville.

--10 a.m., “Finding Balance” yoga session, where Fabel will lead participants through several postures focused on balance, stability and centeredness.

--11 a.m., Question-and-answer session with С�� voice and choral faculty.

For more information, contact Jeanette Fontaine, С�� assistant professor of voice and Opera Workshop instructor, at 662-325-3490 or jmf501@msstate.edu.

Learn about С��’s Department of Music at and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @msstatemusic.

С�� is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at .

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