Sophomore Elycia Woodham, C’2024, is among the inaugural 10 students selected for the LA Opera’s new artist development program.
A music major, Woodham serves as alto 1 leader and road manager for the
Spelman College Glee Club and was one of the soloists for the 2020 Spelman-Morehouse Christmas Carol’s rendition of "Mary’s Canticle," held virtually.
LA Opera’s HBCU Opera Career Comprehensive is designed to nurture, support and elevate the skills of talented singers from historically Black colleges and universities. From July through December, the artists will participate in 10 virtual sessions led by the company’s artist-in-residence, tenor Russell Thomas.
As singing is in every fiber of my being, I was ecstatic and honored to be selected as a participant in the LA Opera’s Inaugural HBCU Opera Career Comprehensive program," said Woodham. To date the offerings have enhanced the foundation instilled in me by the Spelman College music department. This experience reinforces and supports my desire to sing opera – and other genres – professionally as I continue to make deliberate choices to change the world.
“My goal is to build a bridge between outstanding HBCU singers and the influential people who are working at the top of the opera field," said Thomas on the LA Opera website. “This virtual mentorship program will help these singers take their talents to the next level. I want to help level the playing field and show the opera world that these singers are just as talented as those coming from other schools; they just haven't had the same opportunities.”