Lyric Opera of Kansas City Apprentice Programs

The Lyric Opera of Kansas City apprentice programs offer students valuable experiences in training to become a professional opera singer. Participants in both programs have numerous opportunities to gain performance experience through chorus, comprimario and principal roles and with community outreach and activities.

The Lyric Opera has a proven track record of casting apprentice program alumni in the leading roles when appropriate. LOKC Apprentices have appeared with opera companies small and large from around the world including: Chautauqua Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Dallas Opera, Florida Grand Opera, English National Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Metropolitan Opera, Minnesota Opera, New Israeli Opera, New York City Opera, San Diego Opera, San Francisco Opera, Santa Fe Opera, and many others.

University of Kansas Apprentice Program
Building on a history of excellence in training young singers, the University of Kansas is proud to offer an apprentice program with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Selected Masters and DMA students combine musical and theatrical training at the university with outstanding career preparation through the Lyric Opera.

Through the University of Kansas Voice and Opera program apprentices have the opportunity to perform in three fully staged opera productions per year from a wide ranging repertoire, audition and role preperation classes and masters classes with guest artists internationally fame. For more information, please visit the KU Voice and Opera Department site.

Amy Cahill - Soprano
Recently:
The Rake's Progress, Serse, Patience,
Street Scene, University of Kanass
Rigoletto, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
The Mikado,The Magic Flute, Seagle Music Colony
Upcoming:
Frasquita, Carmen, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Kristee Haney - Mezzo-Soprano
Recently:
Sweeney Todd, Mobile Opera
Picnic, The University of Kansas
Patience, The University of Kansas
Upcoming:
A Little Night Music, St. Petersberg Opera
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Liberty Symphony Orchestra

Brad Walker - Bass-Baritone
Recently:
Handel's Messiah, Lansing Symphony Orchestra
Upcoming:
Corporal, The Daughter of the Regiment,
Lyric Opera of Kansas City

University of Missouri-Kansas City Apprentice Program
The UMKC Conservatory/Lyric Opera Young Artists Program is a collaboration between the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. The program prepares the exceptional young singer for a professional operatic career while he/she is enrolled in a Master's, Doctoral, Performer's Certificate or Artist's Certificate degree program at the Conservatory.

Through the UMKC Conservatory apprentices will have the opportunity to perform in two fully staged opera productions per year in the original language along with workshop programs, premieres and outreach activities. For more information, please contact the Conservatory Vocal Studies Department.

Heather Phillips - Soprano
Recently:
La bohème, Crested Butte Music Festival
Le Nozze di Figaro, Cincinnati Opera
La Traviata, Hänsel und Gretel, Kentucky Opera
Upcoming:
Elvira, L'Italiana in Algeri, Opera Southwest
Barbarina, The Marriage of Figaro, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Kelly Hill - Mezzo-Soprano
Recently:
Hänsel und Gretel, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Salome, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre
The Crucible, University of Northern Iowa
The Gondoliers, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre
Upcoming:
Clotilde, Norma, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Benjamin Gulley - Tenor
Recently:
Cavalleria Rusticana, Madama Butterfly, Kansas Concert Opera
La bohème, The Magic Flute, Aida, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Carmina Burana, Springfield Symphony Orchestra
Borsa, Rigoletto, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Upcoming:
Flavio, Norma, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Stephen Fish - Bass-Baritone
Recently:
Rigoletto, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Salome, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre
Tosca, Des Moines Metro Opera
Upcoming:
Morales, Carmen, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Antonio, The Marriage of Figaro, Lyric Opera of Kansas City