UWF music alumna lands coveted residency at Academy of Vocal Arts

June 12, 2018 | By: Jordan Ardoin | casshcommunications@uwf.edu

UWF alumna Renée Richardson has been admitted to the prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts as a resident artist for 2018-19.

Richardson graduated from UWF in 2015 with a Bachelor of Music in voice performance and went on to earn a professional studies degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music. While at CIM, she performed the title role of the opera "Suor Angelica" by Puccini, Fiordiligi in Mozart's "Così fan tutte,” the soprano lead in "Béatrice et Bénédict" by Berlioz and the title role of the opera "Médée" by Cherubini.

The Academy of Vocal Arts, where Richardson begins her residency this fall, is one of the world’s premier institutions for training young artists as international opera soloists. Gifted singers come from throughout the world to seek the exceptional guidance and training that AVA offers. Admission is determined by competitive annual auditions.

During her residency at AVA, Richardson will be singing in several operas, participating in opera outreach and performing at benefits.

Richardson says, "I am ecstatic to be attending The Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia as a contracted resident artist. I am incredibly thankful for my training at both the University of West Florida and the Cleveland Institute of Music under the unforgettable teaching of Dr. Sheila Dunn (UWF) and Dr. Mary Schiller (CIM).”

CASSH is ecstatic as well. We are proud of Renée’s exciting accomplishment.

Congratulations, Renée!