Soprano from Chicago Opera Theater to perform

Up-and-coming soprano Jessica Usherwood will give two performances of classical and spiritual selections February 17-18 as part of the College’s Black History Month celebration. She will sing February 17 at 12:15 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center and February 18 at 7 p.m. at the Blount County Center.

Usherwood began her vocal studies at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in music. In 2003 she received her master’s degree in voice performance and vocal pedagogy from the Chicago College of Performing Arts of Roosevelt University.

Since 2003 she has performed with the Chicago Opera Theater. Last spring she covered the role of Popelka in “Comedy on the Bridge.” In 2004 she was a part of the theater’s Young Artists program, where she participated in the program’s three main productions: Monteverdi’s “L’incoronazione di Poppea,” Britten’s “Death in Venice” and Rossini’s “Il viaggio a Reims.” She also performed the role of the Young Soprano in the theater’s outreach opera, “The Impresario” by Mozart.

This spring she will cover the roles of Barbarina in Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro” and Tytania in Britten’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Chicago Opera Theater.

Usherwood also performed in numerous productions at both Lee and Roosevelt universities, including “The Beggar’s Opera,” “The Coronation of Poppea” and “Le Nozze di Figaro.”

Both of Usherwood’s Pellissippi State performances are free and open to the public.

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