Katie O'Rear - Soprano
B.M.A. and M.M.A., Bowling Green State University 
 

Katie O'Rear is an “all but dissertation” doctoral candidate in vocal performance at the University of Memphis. She holds a Bachelor's degree in music education and a Master’s degree in vocal performance from Bowling Green State University. She has acquired French language certificates from l’Institut de Touraine and German language certificates from Universität Salzburg. Her teaching experience includes teaching vocal methods at Bowling Green State University, instructing voice lessons, vocal pedagogy, and music appreciation at the University of Memphis, teaching voice lessons and the weekly masterclass at Iowa Western Community College, had a studio of 40 students while teaching private lessons at SNJ studios in Omaha, Nebraska, and currently teaches a studio of 40 private voice students at Walsh Middle School in Round Rock, TX.

Katie continues to study her craft through operatic performances. Most recently Katie performed with Austin Opera's chorus for their productions of La Boheme, Fidelio, Pagliaci, and Carmen. Some of her past operatic roles include performing the role of Carlotta in The Phantom of the Opera, Elettra in Idomeneo, Dorine in Tartuffe, Miss Pinkerton in The Old Maid and the Thief, Rosina in Il Barbieri di Siviglia, Belinda in Dido and Aeneas, Miss Wordsworth in Albert Herring, and Marina in I Quattro Rustegi. She also performed the lead role, Eumete, in the North American Premiere of Cavalli's La virtue de' strali d'Amore, under the musical direction of Paul O'Dette. 

She was awarded “Best Supporting Actress” at the 2012 Ostrander (Memphis theatre) awards, the Graduate Performance Award at the University of Memphis for the 2011-2012 school year, the Charles Rieker Memorial Scholarship in 2010 and 2011, was a winner at the Delta Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artist Concerto Competition, received an Encouragement award at the West Memphis District Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and was awarded second place at the Beethoven Club’s Young Artist Competition.