Opera Memphis offers a two-year Artists-in-Residence program in partnership with the University of Memphis Artist Diploma in Voice program.  Performance opportunities for Artists-in-Residence include at least one mainstage role in an Opera Memphis production and roles in education and outreach concerts and touring programs.


2011-2012 Artists-in-Residence

Malcolm Cooper (tenor) made his Opera Memphis debut as Spoletta in TOSCA in October 2011.  He is an Artist Diploma candidate at the University of Memphis.   Mr. Cooper was recently seen as the title role in IDOMENEO at the University of Memphis and Giovanni in Daniel Catan’s LA HIJA DE RAPPACCINI with the Butler Opera Center.  He received a Bachelor of Music in voice performances from Ohio State University and a Master of Music in opera performance from University of Texas at Austin.

Stafford Hartman (soprano) made her Opera Memphis debut as the High Priestess in AIDA in the fall of 2010.  For the 2011-2012 season, she will perform the role of the Shepherd Boy in TOSCA and Sally in DIE FLEDERMAUS.  Ms.  Hartman performed the roles of Abigail in Robert Ward's THE CRUCIBLE and Mariane in TARTUFFE with the University of Memphis.  Previous roles include the title role in CENDRILLON and Fiordiligi in COSI FAN TUTTE with Oberlin Conservatory Opera Theatre.  Ms. Hartman was recently named a winner in the West Tennesse district of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.  She studied with Marlene Rosen at Oberlin Conservatory and currently studies with Susan Owen-Lienert at the University of Memphis.  She is an Artist Diploma candidate at the University of Memphis.

Jeremiah Johnson (baritone) has performed the roles of Angelotti and Sciarrone in TOSCA, the King in AIDA, Fiorello in THE BARBER OF SEVILLE  with Opera Memphis, and he performed Oberon and Theseus in the world premiere of Michael Ching’s A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM – OPERA A CAPELLA with Opera Memphis and Playhouse on the Square.  He will next appear with Opera Memphis as Carlino in DON PASQUALE.  As an Artist Diploma candidate at the University of Memphis, he appeared as John Proctor in Robert Ward’s THE CRUCIBLE.  Mr. Johnson was also a finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Regional Competition this past spring, and he was a young artist with Des Moines Metro Opera this summer.

Kristin Vienneau (mezzo) recently performed as a Fairy for the world premiere of Michael Ching’s A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM – OPERA A CAPELLA with Opera Memphis.  For the 2011-2012 Opera Memphis season, she will perform the role of Prince Orlofsky in DIE FLEDERMAUS.  She also performed in the company’s fall 2010 production of AIDA.  She was recently seen as Elizabeth Proctor in THE CRUCIBLE and Elmire in TARTUFFE with the University of Memphis.  Other credits include the title role in CARMEN with Georgia State University and Dame Quickley in FALSTAFF with La Musica Lirica.  Ms. Vienneau received a Bachelor of Music from New England Conservatory and a Master of Music from Georgia State University.  Ms. Vienneau studied with Kathryn Hartgrove in Atlanta and currently studies with Dr. Pamela Gaston at the University of Memphis.  She is pursuing an Artist Diploma in Voice at the University of Memphis.