MARY WILSON is a passionate teacher, mentor, and advocate for vocal artists at all levels, and is dedicated to helping every artist define success for themselves and achieve their individual goals.
Mary is a tenured Associate Professor of Voice, the Vocal Area Coordinator, and a University Research Professor at the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at the University of Memphis where she teaches Applied Voice, Voice Studio Class, Undergraduate Vocal Diction, and Graduate Oratorio Repertoire.
Located in the heart of music-rich Memphis, Tennessee, The Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music provides the best of both worlds: personal instruction in music from accomplished artist-scholars, and all the benefits of a large, world-class university. Our renowned music program offers bachelor's through doctoral degrees (we are Tennessee's only doctoral degree granting program in music) in 29 areas of concentration, including Vocal Performance. For more information, please click on the Logo above.
Additionally, Mary is on the voice faculty and leads the Teaching Fellowship Program at the International Performing Arts Institute in Kiefersfelden, Germany, every July. She is the Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of the highly-anticipated Bach Festival Society of Winter Park Oratorio Competition whose inaugural competition will happen in February 2025. For more information, please click on the Logos below.
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Selected Student Accomplishments:
Shannon Jongema, MM Vocal Performance 2024, DMA Vocal Performance 2026: 2024 Young Artist Accademia Vocale Lorenzo Malfatti in Lucca Italy. 2023 Julia in “The Cousin from Nowhere” University of Memphis, Opera Memphis 30 Days of Opera, Madame Silberklang in “Die Schauspieldirektor” and Sour Dolcina in “Sour Angelica” Varna International, Mimi in “La Boheme” University of Memphis, First Place Voice at Beethoven Club Young Artist Competition, chorus “Tosca” Opera Memphis. www.ShannonJongemaSoprano.com
Isabella Wallace, MM Vocal Performance 2025: 2024 Opera Artist at International Performing Arts Institute Germany, Donna Anna in “Don Giovanni” University of Memphis, Second Place Beethoven Club Young Artist Competition. 2023 Second Place at Beethoven Club Savell Young Artist Voice Competition.
Diana Flores, MM Vocal Performance 2025: 2025 Mimi in “La Bohème” Mediterranean Opera Studio and Festival. 2024 Donna Anna in “Don Giovanni” University of Memphis, Third Place Beethoven Club Young Artist Competition. 2023 Holiday Fiesta with Opera Memphis. https://www.dianafloressoprano.com
Holly Henson, MM Vocal Pedagogy 2025: 2024 Rapunzel in “Into the Woods” The Link Theatre Jonesboro AR. 2023 Karlotta in “The Cousin from Nowhere” University of Memphis.
Ina Torres O’Ryan, MM Vocal Performance 2024: 2024 Young Artist at Taos Opera Institute, Zerlina in “Don Giovanni” University of Memphis. 2023 Wilhelmine in “The Cousin from Nowhere” University of Memphis, First Place at Beethoven Club Savell Young Artist Vocal Competition, soloist “Goodnight Moon” with University of Memphis Symphonic Band, Mrs. Waters in “The Boatswain’s Mate” University of Memphis. 2022 Jazz Singer in “Trouble in Tahiti” University of Memphis. https://oryanmusic.com
Cayce Murphy, MM Vocal Performance 2024:. 2024 chorus in “Beale Street Bohème” Opera Memphis, Zerlina in “Don Giovanni” University of Memphis. 2023 Young Artist Accademia Vocale Lorenzo Malfatti in Lucca Italy, Third Place Voice at Beethoven Club Young Artist Competition, Soprano soloist in Beethoven “Choral Fantasy” University of Memphis, Helena in “Midsummer Night’s Dream” scenes University of Memphis. 2022 Laurette in Bizet "Dr. Miracle” University of Memphis. www.CayceMurphy.com
Judith Morehouse, DMA Vocal Performance ABD 2023: Director of the Musical Theater Department and Vocal Coordinator at East Texas Baptist University. 2023 Teaching Fellow at International Performing Arts Institute in Germany. Formerly Instructor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Columbia State Community College in Columbia TN. www.JudithShelton.com
Brianna Reilly, MM Vocal Performance 2021, DMA Vocal Performance ABD 2023: 2024 First Place Beethoven Young Artist Competition. 2023 Studio Artist and Vera Baronel in “The Consul” with Angels Vocal Arts, Apprentice Artist with Opera San Antonio, The Abbess in “Sour Angelica” SAS Performing Arts New York, Mezzo soloist in Beethoven “Choral Fantasy” University of Memphis, chorus “Tosca” Opera Memphis. 2022 Young Artist/Ensemble in “Cosi fan tutte” Opera On Site Inc. in Kansas, Dinah in “Trouble in Tahiti” University of Memphis, Dido in “Dido and Aeneas” Utah Vocal Arts Academy, Cherubino in “Le Nozze di Figaro” University of Memphis. 2021 Dame Hannah in “Ruddigore” University of Memphis, 3rd place winner Beethoven Club Savell Competition, Finalist University of Memphis Soloist Competition, Voice teacher at Memphis Music Studio, Fricka, Erda, and Flosshilde in “Das Rheingold” Luke Housner Online Summer Opera Workshop, Carmen in “Carmen” University of Memphis, Finalist University of Memphis Soloist Competition, Third Place in Music International Grand Prix US Central Region Competition. www.BriannaReilly.com
Shelbi Sellers, MM Vocal Performance 2022: Director of Community Partnerships Opera Memphis. 2024 Opera Artist at International Performing Arts Institute Germany, Sophie de Palma in “Masterclass” Theatre Memphis. 2023 Opera Memphis 30 Days of Opera, soloist “Sondheim Review” Theatre Memphis. 2022 Dorothy (cover)/Ensemble in “Wizard of Oz” Playhouse on the Square, Ensemble in “Something Rotten” Playhouse on the Square, Marcellina in “Le Nozze di Figaro” University of Memphis, NATS Mid-South Regional Auditions First Place Advanced Classical and First Place Advanced Musical Theatre. 2021 Mad Margaret and choreographer “Ruddigore” University of Memphis, Mrs. McAfee in “Bye Bye Birdie” DeSoto Family Theatre, Frasquita in “Carmen” University of Memphis. 2020 Servilia in “La Clemenza di Tito” scenes University of Memphis.
Shannon Lowe Redburn, MM Vocal Performance 2019, DMA Vocal Performance 2021: Director of Choral Activities at The Pembroke Hill School in Kansas City MO. 2021 Assistant Professor of Modern Music and Internship Coordinator at Visible Music College, Opera Memphis 30 Days of Opera, Donna Anna in “Don Giovanni” University of Memphis. 2020 VItellia in “La Clemeza di Tito” scenes University of Memphis, Red River Lyric Opera (canceled Covid-19), Adele in “Die Fledermaus” Varna International Opera Academy Bulgaria (canceled Covid-19). 2019 National Finalist Houston Gilbert & Sullivan Competition, Opera Memphis 30 Days of Opera, First Lady in “Die Zauberflöte” Aquilion Music Festival Oregon, Pappagena in “Die Zauberflöte” University of Memphis. 2018 Young Artist and La Bourgeoise in Lully’s "La Chûte de Phaëton" Aquilon Music Festival Oregon, Miss Wordsworth in “Albert Herring” University of Memphis. 2017 Despina in “Cosi fan tutti” University of Memphis, Mozart Requiem and Laurie in "The Tender Land" Varna International Opera Academy Bulgaria. www.ShannonLoweSoprano.com
Alyce Tarver, DMA Vocal Performance ABD 2021: Adjunct Instructor of Music Theatre and Commercial Voice at University of Memphis. 2024 Teaching Fellow at International Performing Arts Institute in Germany. 2023 Opera Memphis 30 Days of Opera, chorus “Tosca” Opera Memphis. 2022 Galatea in Donizetti’s “Pigmalione” Opera Memphis, Countess Almaviva in “Le Nozze di Figaro” University of Memphis. 2021 Opera Memphis 30 Days of Opera, Donna Elvira in “Don Giovanni” University of Memphis. 2020 Countess Almaviva in “Le Nozze di Figaro” University of Memphis (canceled Covid-19). 2019 Opera Memphis 30 Days of Opera. www.atwsoprano.com
Sarah Brickeen, MM Vocal Performance 2021: 2023 Lucinda (cover) in “Dark Sister” Journey North Opera Company, Nannetta “Falstaff” Opera Reading Project MN. 2022 National Semi-Finalist Student Division Camille Coloratura Awards, chorus “Pirates of Penzance” Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera MN, Lauretta in “Gianni Schicchi” Fio-Italia Summer Young Artist Program. 2021 Second Place Beethoven Club Young Artist Competition, Michaela in “Carmen” University of Memphis. 2020 Susanna in “Le Nozze di Figaro” scenes University of Memphis.
Isabel Celata, MM Vocal Performance 2021: Currently pursuing DMA in Vocal Performance at University of Wisconsin Madison. 2023 Kate Monster “Avenue Q” Middleton Players Theatre, Solo Cabaret “Wildbird” University of Wisconsin. 2022 Mrs. Wordsworth “Albert Herring” University of Wisconsin Madison, Johanna in “Sweeny Todd” University of Wisconsin Madison. 2021 Krysia in Heggie’s “Two Remain (Out of Darkness)” University of Wisconsin Madison, First Place Beethoven Club Young Artist Competition, Zerlina in “Don Giovanni” University of Memphis. 2020 Susanna in “Le Nozze di Figaro” scenes University of Memphis, Hope in “Urinetown” Theatre Memphis (canceled Covid-19), Red River Lyric Opera (canceled Covid-19), Angels Vocal Art Summer Opera (canceled Covid-19). 2019 Sophie in “Mamma Mia” Theatre Memphis. https://www.isabelcelatasoprano.com
Christa Navy, MM Vocal Performance 2021: Director of Touch of Class Show Choirs Sissonville High School in Charleston WV. 2023 Cinderella in “Cinderella” Charleston Light Opera Guild WV. 2022 Porsche “Something Rotten” Charleston Light Opera Guild WV. 2021 “Putting it Together” Charleston Light Opera Guild WV, Donna Anna in “Don Giovanni” University of Memphis, Canto Opera Studio Artist. 2020 Musetta in “La Bohème” scenes University of Memphis, District competitor Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Pamina in “Die Zauberflöte” Lyric Opera Studio Weimar Germany (canceled Covid-19), Brahms “Ein Deutsches Requiem” with Rhodes MasterChorale (canceled Covid-19), Puccini soloist with Memphis Symphony Orchestra. 2019 Magda in “La Rondine” University of Memphis.
Elsa Swanson, MM Vocal Performance 2021: Vocal Music teacher grades 6-12 for International Falls MN public schools. 2021 Woglinde in “Das Rheingold” Luke Housner Online Summer Opera Workshops, Donna Elivra in “Don Giovanni” University of Memphis. 2020 Mimi in “La Bohème” scenes University of Memphis, First Lady in “Die Zauberflöte” Lyric Opera Studio Weimar Germany (canceled Covid-19), Gretel in “Hänsel und Gretel” Luke Housner Online Summer Opera Workshops, Suor Dolcina in “Suor Angelica” Opera Memphis. 2019 Suzel in “L’Amico Fritz” University of Memphis. www.ElsaSwanson.com
Cassie Warthen, MM Vocal Performance 2021: PR representative CFW Events Marketing and Communications. 2023 Monica in “The Medium” Moon River Opera, Fiordiligi in “Cosi fan tutte” Utah Vocal Arts Academy. 2022 Young Artist/Ensemble in “Suor Angelia” Music On Site Inc. in Kansas, Young Artist at Accademia Vocale Lorenzo Malfatti in Lucca Italy, SemiFinalist National Orpheus Vocal Competition. 2021 Gertrud in “Hansel und Gretel” Chicago Summer Opera, Donna Elvira in “Don Giovanni” University of Memphis, Company Artist Moon River Opera, Second Place in Music International Grand Prix Competition. 2020 Mimi in “La Bohème” scenes University of Memphis, Young Artist Opera Theatre of Lucca Italy (canceled Covid-19), Countess Almaviva in “Le Nozze di Figaro” University of Memphis (canceled Covid-19). www.CassieWarthenSoprano.com
Makenna Amundson, BM Choral Music Education 2021: Choir Director at White Station Middle School Memphis TN. 2020 Presser Music Award University of Memphis, Student Conductor University Chamber Singers.
Emma Halpin Nwobilar, BM Choral Music Education 2020: 2020 Founder Music Garden Music Academy. 2019 Presser Music Award University of Memphis, Student Conductor University Chamber Singers. 2018 Berkshire Choral International summer Choral Apprentice, Delaware Choral Institute summer Choral Scholar in France.
Nancy Carey, DMA Vocal Performance 2019: Assistant Professor of Voice and Theory at University of Louisiana Monroe. 2022 Broadway Pops with Monroe Symphony Orchestra. 2021 Forrest Jubilate Deo with Bayou Masterworks. 2019 Holiday Pops soloist South Arkansas Symphony, Adjunct voice instructor University of Louisiana Monroe and Cetenary College. 2018 Mozart “Requiem” Shreveport Chamber Orchestra, Present DMA paper “Cultural Sustainability through the Preservation of Cajun Folk Songs” at Society for Ethnomusicology National Conference, Teaching Fellowship International Performing Arts Institute Germany, Adjunct voice instructor Cetenary College and Bossier Parish Community College. 2017 Handel "Messiah" Shreveport Symphony, Galatea in "The Beautiful Galatea" Opera Memphis, Adjunct voice instructor Cetenary College. 2016 Russian Masters Southwest Arkansas Symphony, Adjunct voice instructor Cetenary College. www.NancyCareySoprano.com
Marissa Howard, MM Vocal Performance 2019: 2022 Young Artist and Antonia in “Man of La Mancha” Utah Summer Festival Opera, NATS Artist Awards National Semifinalist. 2021 Clorinda in “La Cenerentola” La Musica Lyrica. 2020 Cinderella in “Into the Woods” Miami Music Festival (canceled Covid-19). 2019 Gianetta in “The Gondoliers” Memphis Light Opera, Pamina in “Die Zauberflöte” University of Memphis, First Place Beethoven Club Young Artist Competition. 2018 Holiday Spectacular with Memphis Youth Symphony, Mabel in "Pirates of Penzance" and Mrs. Hannigan in "Annie" Cedar Stock Theatre Company Iowa, First Place Beethoven Club Young Artist Competition, Laurie in “The Tenderland” University of Memphis. 2017 Zerlina in "Don Giovanni" Varna International Opera Academy Bulgaria.
Amber Harrington, MM Vocal Performance 2019: 2020 Festival Artist Savannah Voice Online Festival, Dew Fairy in Hänsel und Gretel” Harrower Summer Opera Workshop (canceled Covid-19).
Kathleen Elbert Clyborne, MM Vocal Performance 2018: 2019 Young Artist International Baroque Academy Germany. 2018 Haydn “Lord Nelson Mass” Bach Festival Society of Winter Park FL. 2017 Bach "B-Minor Mass" Rhodes MasterSingers.
Donia Wade, MM Vocal Performance 2017: Director of Music Bartlett United Methodist Church, Section leader Rhodes MasterSingers.
Micah Pounds, BM Choral Music Education 2017: 2015 Berkshire Choral Festival summer Choral Scholar.
Chelsea Miller, AD Vocal Performance 2016: 2020 Magda in “La Rondine” Mobile Opera (canceled Covid-19), Frasquita in “Carmen” and Studio Artist Kentucky Opera. 2019 Mabel in “Pirates of Penzance” and Cincerella “Into the Woods” Ohio Light Opera, Second Place National Opera Association Competition, Female Soldier in World Premiere “The Falling & the Rising” and Josephine in “HMS Pinafore” Opera Memphis. 2018 Mabel in "Pirate of Penzance" Anchorage Opera, Cunegonde in "Candide" Ohio Light Opera, "The Triumph of Honor" Memphis Midtown Opera Festival, Elvira in" L'italiana in Algeri" Opera Memphis. 2017 Apprentice Artist and Mrs. Nordstom in "A Little Night Music" Des Moines Metro Opera, SavannahVOICE Festival Young Artist, Annina in "La Traviata" Opera Memphis, Seraphina in "Il Campanella di notte" IRIS Orchestra. 2016 Mabel in "Pirates of Penzance” Opera Memphis, Yum Yum in "The Mikado" Chautauqua Young Artist Program. 2015 Queen of the Night in "Magic Flute” and Tiresias in "Les mammelles des Tiresias" Opera Memphis. 2014 Zerlina in "Don Giovanni” Opera Memphis, Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Regional Finalist. www.ChelseaMillerSoprano.com
Danielle McKay, MM Vocal Performance 2015: 2021 DMA in Vocal Performance at Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at Catholic University of America. 2019 Cleapatra in “Giulio Cesare” Catholic University. 2018 Susanna in “Le Nozze di Figaro” Catholic University.
