UC Music Alumni and Students Perform at New York City Opera Recital

The Gerda Lissner Foundation will present a recital by the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music on Nov. 15, 2026. The performance, titled CCM Opera: Then. Now. Next, is scheduled for 2 p.m. at The Greene Space at WQXR Studios in New York City. The event is part of the Lissner Recital Series and will be livestreamed on the Foundation's YouTube channel. In-person seating is available through the UC Foundation.

The program features a mix of current students and distinguished alumni. The event is designed to showcase the vocal training provided by the college, which ranks No. 2 in the nation for Classical Voice and Opera Programs according to InsideMusicSchools.com. CCM Dean Pete Jutras and Amy Johnson, the CCM J. Ralph Corbett Distinguished Chair of Opera, will host a reception following the performance.

Three alumni will perform alongside seven current students. The alumni include countertenor John Holiday, tenor Robert Stahley, and soprano Emma Marhefka. Holiday graduated with a Master of Music in Voice in 2012. Stahley earned a Master of Music in Voice in 2016 and an Artist Diploma in Opera in 2018. Marhefka received a Master of Music in Voice in 2023.

The student roster includes sopranos Mariah Graves, Morgan Small, and Clara Reeves. Mezzo-soprano Claire Strong and tenor Xiaofeng Hou also appear on the lineup. Baritones Andrew Hallam and Alan Rendzak round out the group of current students participating in the recital.

Emma Marhefka recently won First Prize at the 2026 Operalia Competition in Shanghai. She also received the Audience Prize and the Zarzuela Prize. Other recent student achievements include Edward Ferran winning top prize in the 2026 Gerda Lissner Foundation Art Song Competition. Sam Dhobhany and Will Ryan were named winners of the 2026 Sullivan Career Development Grants from the William Matheus Sullivan Musical Foundation.

Madison Kavanaugh and Edward Ferran advanced to the final auditions for Chicago Lyric Opera. Matthew Juhlin was named an Outstanding First Year Apprentice with The Santa Fe Opera. These results reflect the competitive standing of the students within the national opera landscape.

Alumni from the program perform at major opera houses worldwide. More than 19 alumni are scheduled to appear in productions at the Metropolitan Opera in the 2026-27 season. This group includes Caitlin Gotimer, Caitlin Lynch, Emma Marhefka, and Elena Villalon. Other listed performers are Amanda Woodbury, Karis Tucker, Chad Skelton, Robert Stahley, and Andrew Stetson.

The 2026-27 season at Opéra national de Paris features several CCM alumni. Tamara Wilson will perform as Brünnhilde in Die Walküre and Siegfried. Jessica Fasselt will sing Helmwige in Die Walküre. Caitlin Gotimer is listed as the cover for Anna Hartig in Suor Angelica. These engagements demonstrate the continued placement of graduates in top international companies.

The Lissner Recital Series invites singers associated with music conservatories across the country to perform. The Foundation recorded and broadcast the CCM performance to reach a wider audience. The program includes selections from La Bohème, Broadway, and new works. The event serves as a public showcase for the vocal tradition maintained by the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.