Meet the Studio Artists – Emily Secor

Emily Secor

Soprano

1. Where were you born and raised?
   I was born in Madison and raised in Westfield, Wisconsin.
2. Where did you go to school?
   I went to Westfield Area High School, completed my Bachelor of Arts at Luther College, and graduated this past May from the University of Northern Iowa with my Master of Music.
3. Who is your favorite opera singer?
   There are so many singers I love to listen to, but one of my favorites is Nadine Sierra.
4. My favorite opera is…
   This is always so tricky to answer… I am normally really excited about the opera on which I am currently working. I think right now my favorite is Rusalka. Dvořák is one of my favorite composers!
5. What is your dream role?
   My list includes Mimì in La Bohème, Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro, Rusalka, and Cleopatra in Giulio Cesare.
6. What are you most excited about for this upcoming Madison Opera season?
   The first live opera performance I ever attended was a production of La Traviata at Madison Opera, so I am most excited to be performing on the stage of the company I grew up listening to!
7. What is your favorite memory of performing on stage?
   I recently sang Gretel in UNI Opera’s production of Hansel and Gretel and I had a blast being a kid on stage – especially during the candy cottage scenes. So many pieces of candy to nibble on!
8. When did you know you wanted to pursue opera as a career?
   I grew up in a musical family and have always loved to sing, but I took an “Intro to Opera Performance” class my first year of undergrad and have since had a passion for learning about and singing opera. I still have so many things to learn about this field, but I am very excited about what is ahead!
9. I like to binge-watch…
   YouTube videos of cute puppies….. ha! I’m also a big fan of Fixer Upper and The Great British Baking Show.
10. People would be surprised to know…
    I really like gnomes (but only the non-creepy ones!) I have one on my shelf at home named Gnomechadnezzar.
11. Bonus: One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer).
    Q. What is my favorite non-classical music to listen to?
    A. I LOVE the band Needtobreathe. SO GOOD. Check them out!

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Find out more about Emily and our other 2018/19 Studio Artists, and don’t miss hearing her perform this season!