Metropolitan Opera Star Headlines UCF Opera Scholarship Festival

Keith Miller, a headliner at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, is lending his voice to the University of Central Florida Opera’s first annual Opera Scholarship Festival, March 25-26.

The festival will be held at the Trinity Preparatory School Auditorium, 5700 Trinity Prep Lane, Winter Park.

Miller, a professional football player-turned bass-baritone, is a renowned performer who has appeared in more than 200 performances at the Met has also been featured in prestigious magazines including the Classical Singer and Opera News.

“Normally, one would have to fly to New York to hear such an opera singer,” said Thomas Potter, executive director of the UCF Opera.  “It is very rare to have the chance to hear a current opera star work with students and speak with the audience about the ‘nuts and bolts’ of singing.”

Miller agreed to lend his talent and voice for the fundraiser, which aims to provide scholarships for opera majors at UCF. The public gets a chance to hear his impressive voice while students will get a chance to work with him in a very special Master Class session during the two-day event.

The three-part festival begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday with Miller performing a solo recital alongside pianist Debra Ayers. He will perform selections from operas and musical theatre, including “South Pacific,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Les Misérables.”

At noon on Saturday, Miller will work with UCF students in a Master Class session.  Each student will sing a selection, and Miller will work with them individually on aspects of singing such as breathing, resonance, diction, acting and body language.

The students will work with Miller in front of an audience, giving the crowd a behind-the-scenes look into the study and preparation that go into learning and performing opera.

Following the class, registered attendees have the opportunity speak with Miller at a VIP Meet the Artist Reception at a private home in Orlando.

For information on pricing or to purchase tickets, click here.

To learn more about UCF Opera, visit http://music.ucf.edu/opera.php.