WMU News

Accomplished opera alumna is resident guest artist

Oct. 17, 2002

KALAMAZOO -- WMU alumna JoAnn Kulesza, musical director of the Opera Department of Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, will conduct a mock audition master class and coach vocal students during a guest artist residency Oct. 21-25 in the School of Music.

During her residency, Kulesza also will conduct several classes on topics such as French vocal literature and will provide coaching for students in the forthcoming production of "The Marriage of Figaro."

In addition to her position with the Peabody Conservatory, Kulesza serves as a vocal coach for the Baltimore Opera. She has served on the music staff of numerous American opera companies, including the Washington Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, Utah Festival Opera, Kentucky Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Pittsburgh Opera Center and the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists. She has been invited for guest residencies at Auburn University, the North Carolina School for the Arts and Ohio State University, among others.

A 1977 music education graduate of Western Michigan University, Kulesza went on to earn a master's degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Media contact: Kevin West, 269 387-4678, kevin.west@wmich.edu


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