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 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. They also attend audition and role preperation classes and masters classes with guest artists of international fame. For more information, please visit the KU Voice and Opera Department site.

Kelly Elise Smith - Soprano
Recently:
Madama Butterfly, Kansas Concert Opera
The Rake's Progress, Cosi fan tutte, University of Kansas
Upcoming:
Suor Angelica, University of Kansas
Elijah, University of Kansas Symphony Orchestra

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

Benjamin Cleveland - Tenor
Recently:
The Rake's Progress, Ruddigore, Patience, Street Scene, University of Kansas

Brad Walker - Bass-Baritone
Recently:
Handel's Messiah, Lansing Symphony Orchestra
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
L'Italiana in Algeri, Opera Southwest
The Marriage of Figaro, Lyric Opera of Kansas City
Upcoming:
Carmen, Kentucky Opera

Elizabeth Tredent - Mezzo-Soprano

Casey Finnigan - Tenor
Recently:
Cosi fan tutte, Opera North
Rigoletto, Opera Fresca

Chris Carr - Baritone
Recently:
The Marriage of Figaro, Simpson College
Don Giovanni, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Tosca, Cosi fan tutte, Cedar Rapids Opera
La boheme, Les Mamelles de Tirésias, Des Moines Metro Opera