Stetson University alumna, Louisiana State University graduate student and native of Portland, Maine, mezzo soprano Chelsey Geeting has been chosen as an incoming artist for the 2016 Merola Opera Program in San Francisco, Calif.

Under the artistic direction of San Francisco Opera Center Director and internationally acclaimed soprano Sheri Greenawald, the Merola Opera Program is an independent nonprofit organization that operates in collaboration with the San Francisco Opera. The program is recognized as one of the most prestigious operatic training programs in the world. The Merola Opera Program typically receives more than 800 applications for approximately 29 positions.

Geeting received her Bachelor of Music degree from Stetson University in 2013, where she studied with Jane Christeson, Stetson professor of voice. Upon graduating, Geeting was recruited by renowned tenor Professor Robert Grayson to come to L.S.U. for her master’s degree. Geeting received her Master of Music degree in 2015, and is continuing her studies as a doctoral student with Grayson.

“I am incredibly proud of Chelsey, who came to Stetson with a beautiful voice but no real idea of what she could do or become,” said Christeson. “I have the greatest admiration for the work she did here vocally, but even more for her determination and perseverance in pursuit of a dream. She is a marvelous example of overcoming great odds to achieve great success.”

In addition to her academic studies Geeting has performed in several stage productions and opera scenes with L.S.U. Opera, Stetson Opera Theatre, and Orlando International Opera Workshop. Some of the more notable performances include Dido in Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas; Dorabella in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte; Jezibaba in Antonín Dvořák’s Rusalka; Octavian in the final trio of Richard Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier; and Carmen in the quintet “Nous avons en tête une affaire” from Georges Bizet’s Carmen.

The Stetson University School of Music was established in 1936, and is Florida’s first collegiate music school. Today, it offers professional training in the form of 13 individual degree options in four areas: music education, music performance, composition and music academics.

Visit Stetson University’s School of Music for more information.

–Information compiled by Kenneth Wilks and Chelsey Geeting