Soprano Lloyd Linney, Ph.D., professor of music, has spent her career delighting audiences in opera, recital and oratorio. A graduate of Furman University, where she studied with DuPre Rhame, she holds a master’s and doctorate of music degrees from Florida State University, studying with Elena Nikolaidi and Roy Delp, respectively. From 1994 to 2001 she did additional vocal work with Richard Miller of the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. Since 2005 she has studied with Louise Urban, professor emeritus at the University of Maryland. In 2012, 2013 and 2014 she traveled to France to coach French melodies with Susan Manoff of the Paris Conservatory.

Prior to coming to Stetson in 1984 to teach voice, Linney taught for 11 years in the Orlando area in several colleges and universities. “During those years I sang several leading roles in the Central Florida area with a small opera company organized by Orlando Opera with the goal of bringing opera to a wider audience in smaller, more intimate theatres. Performing the role of Blonde in Mozart’s Abduction from the Harem, the first opera performed in the Virgin Islands, with Orlando Opera was a highlight of my performing experiences before coming to Stetson.”

After joining the faculty at Stetson, Linney continued to perform in oratorio and recital in the Southeast as well as in Florence, Italy. “In 2005 and 2008, I led two student trips to Italy with my colleague, Jane Christeson, as the culmination of the study of Italian culture. My sabbatical study in Paris in 2012 with vocal coach Susan Manoff resulted in two subsequent trips to continue working with her on French mélodies.

“My first experience performing with School of Music colleagues was a concert commemorating the 300th birthday of J.S. Bach in the spring of 1985,” said Linney.

“In 1986 Dr. Michael Rickman and I presented the first of many recitals together. As a part of the School of Music at Stetson I have had the privilege of sharing the joy of making music with many wonderful students as well as performing with outstanding colleagues, both vocalists and instrumentalists.

“I will share the recital on Sunday, Nov. 2, with seven colleagues from the School of Music, all of whom I have performed with on other occasions:  David Bjella, cello; Jane Christeson, mezzo-soprano; Boyd Jones, harpsichord and organ; Lynn Musco, clarinet; Michael Rickman, piano; Stephen Robinson, guitar; and Jean West, flute.”

This celebratory recital, commemorating Lloyd Linney’s 30^th anniversary with Stetson’s School of Music, will be at 7:30 p.m., in Lee Chapel inside Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., on Stetson’s DeLand campus. It will feature a variety of styles, composers, and languages in collaboration with Linney’s friends and colleagues in the School of Music.

Ticket prices are as follows: Adult $10; Senior (62 and older) $8; Area student $5; 12 and younger – no charge; Complimentary admission with Stetson ID. Contact: stetson.edu/music – 386-822-8950. All concerts are also posted on Stetson’s online calendar found on Stetson Today.

Grace Aguda contributed to this story.