Ensembles
Opera
UCF music ensemble auditions are open to all UCF students, regardless of major.
“Op-Shop” focuses on each student’s performance talents and interests, offering training in acting, musical study and role preparation. Both solo and ensemble performance opportunities help develop those skill sets.
Performances include an Opera Scenes program each fall and a fully staged opera with orchestra each spring at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts as part of the UCF Celebrates the Arts Festival.
The Opera Workshop class meets on Mondays and Fridays from 3-5 p.m. and serves as a minor ensemble credit for music majors. Class time is split between group study, theatrical exercises/games and rehearsal work on each semester’s principal performance project. A limited amount of additional outside of class time rehearsals are required.
Participation in the opera program is open to all UCF students through audition. Students already planning to audition should email opera@ucf.edu.
Visit the performing arts Student Organizations page to learn more about opportunities on campus including Opera Club at UCF, which is open to all UCF students on campus to join.
Visit the Partners and Advisory Boards page to learn more about the UCF Opera Board, made up of faculty, students and community members that support the UCF Opera program.
View more UCF Opera videosOpera Scenes
Opera Scenes programs (each fall semester) allow students to perform scenes and arias from a wide range of operas – and from operas for which they may not yet be ready to perform the complete roles. Emphasis is placed on preparation work such as determining the “given circumstances” of a scene, considering how the composer’s setting of the text aids in the shaping of the singer-actor’s interpretation of a scene, and creative thinking exercises to help the singer-actor bring their character’s subtext into focus. Basic stage deportment awareness is addressed, along with the use of improvisation skills, and the importance of teamwork with colleagues.
Students interested in auditioning should email opera@ucf.edu.
Opera Productions
Each April, UCF Opera presents a fully-staged production at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts as part of the UCF Celebrates the Arts festival. Students interested in auditioning should email opera@ucf.edu.
Production History
2023-24
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro”
2022-23
Michael Ching's "Speed Dating Tonight!"
2021-22
Mozart: First & Last – “Love in the Garden State” and “La Clemenza di Tito”
2020-21
Physically-distanced production of Carmenella and Opera Scenes
2019-20
Prepared Gioachino Rossini’s “L’italiana in Algeri”, but canceled due to Covid-19
2018-19
Aaron Copland’s “The Tender Land”
2017-18
Giacomo Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi” & Michael Ching’s “Buoso’s Ghost”
2016-17
Johann Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus”
2015-16
Gaetano Donizetti’s “Elixir of Love”
2014-15
Henry Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas”
2013-14
Michael Ching’s “Speed Dating Tonight!”
2012-13
Mozart Project – the first acts of “Don Giovanni” & “The Magic Flute”
2011-12
Otto Nicolai’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor”
2010-11
John Duke’s “Captain Lovelock” & Thomas Booth’s “Gentlemen in Waiting”
2009-10
Gaetano Donizetti’s “Betly”
2007-08
Richard Mohaupt’s “Double Trouble”
2006-07
Douglas Moore’s “Gallantry” & Gian Carlo Menotti’s “Amelia Goes to the Ball”
2005-06
Samuel Barber’s “A Hand of Bridge” & Mozart’s “The Impresario”
The Sandy Jones Opera Scholarship
The Sandy Jones Opera Scholarship was established by Raymond Jones, in memory of the late Sandra “Sandy” Jones.
Sandy was an accomplished collaborative pianist, opera coach, and teacher, who donated thousands of hours to UCF's Opera Workshop.
The award includes a check in the amount of $1,000, given each year to an outstanding student who has made special contributions to UCF Opera.
Award Recipients
2023 - Cullen Heuman
2022 - Mitchell Klavins
2021 - Zoemar Lebron
2020 - Lisamarie Guadalupe
2019 - Linsey Duca
2018 - Deyvion Norris
2017 - Romana Saintil
