Chris Oglesby
Lee University alum Chris Oglesby has been accepted as a 2019 Adler Fellow with the San Francisco Opera Center. Mr. Oglesby will begin his fellowship in January 2019.
The Adler Fellowship is a multi-year performance-oriented residency that offers advanced young artists intensive individual training, coaching, and professional seminars, as well as a wide range of performance opportunities. Since its founding in 1977, the fellowship has helped develop more than 180 young artists.
Mr. Oglesby, tenor, was most recently a resident artist at Utah Opera, where he sang Tybalt in “Romeo et Juliette” and was the tenor soloist for Handel's “Messiah” with the Utah Symphony. As a participant of the 2018 Merola Opera Program, he debuted as Tom Rakewell in Stravinsky's “The Rake's Progress.”
An active soloist and recitalist, Mr. Oglesby has performed with the Utah Symphony, Abilene Philharmonic, Dallas Puccini Society, and Opera Diversitá. Other recent credits include Box in “Cox and Box,” Don Ottavio in “Don Giovanni,” and Tamino in “Die Zauberflöte.”
While at Lee, Mr. Oglesby studied voice under Tony Deaton, associate professor of voice.
“I have Professor Deaton to thank for teaching me the nuts and bolts of healthy singing and for never letting me get away with slipshod work,” said Mr. Oglesby.
He also performed with Lee’s Opera Theatre, directed by James Frost, associate professor of voice, who Mr. Oglesby said endeared him to the camaraderie and magic of opera.
Also during his time at Lee, Mr. Oglesby was a recipient of the Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award. This grant is awarded annually in agreement with stipulations set by The Presser Foundation, established by music publisher Theodore Presser to recognize students who demonstrate outstanding accomplishments in music performance.
“It was a delight to have Chris in my voice studio during his time at Lee,” said Mr. Deaton. “Chris was the ideal student; very talented, blessed with a beautiful voice, exceptionally smart, and a diligent worker. I am incredibly proud, glad, and grateful for the success he is enjoying. I am confident he has a very bright future in opera performance.”
Mr. Oglesby holds a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from the University of North Texas and Bachelor of Music degrees in vocal performance, choral education, and band education from Lee University.