Penelope Shumate

Style: Opera; Jazz; Folk; Classical; Musical Theatre

Title: Dir. Opera Workshop/Assistant Prof. of Voice APSU

Bio: Praised by The New York Times for singing with “bell-like clarity and surpassing sweetness,” and complimented by the New York Concert Review for “sparkling coloratura perfection,” soprano Penelope Shumate has been a frequent soloist at Carnegie Hall and David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City, and has performed with opera companies and orchestras around the United States. A recipient of the Chicago Oratorio Award and 1st Place in the American Prize Oratorio division vocal competitions, her performances as a soloist in this genre include appearances with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London for a recording of Messiah at Abbey Road Studios, and in the United States, the Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Heartland Festival Orchestra, Berkshire Choral Festival, Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association, Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra, Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, The Virginia Consort, Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, Rapides Symphony Orchestra, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and the Chicago Bar Association Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. She is equally accomplished as an opera singer and has sung many roles including Violetta, Pamina, Micaëla, Adele, Musetta, and Pamina. She has appeared with the Opera Company of Philadelphia, Opera Roanoke, Lake George Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Utah Festival Opera, Annapolis Opera, Opera on the James, and Muddy River Opera, among others. She has been an award winner with the Gerda Lissner Foundation, Marie E. Crump Vocal Arts Competition, MacAllister Awards, New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera Vocal Competition, Annapolis Opera Vocal Competition, Kennett Symphony Orchestra Vocal Competition, and the Altamura/Caruso International Vocal Competition. In the fall of 2021 she accepted the positions of Director of Opera Workshop and Assistant Professor of Voice at Austin Peay State University. During her tenure at Western Illinois University (2014-2021), she was the only voice professor in the institution's history to be selected as the winner of the Provost's Award for Excellence in Scholarly/Creative/Performance/Professional Activities. For two years in a row, she was also the winner of the College of Fine Arts and Communication Dean's Award of Excellence for Creative/Performing Activities. In addition to her current active professional performance career, she frequently performs on campus. Dr. Shumate holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Louisiana State University, a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Temple University, and Bachelor of Science degrees in Vocal Performance and Radio and T.V. Communication from Radford University. Her voice students' successes include being selected for international and national voice training programs, winning awards and placing in vocal competitions including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and NATS (national and regional), being hired for performance engagements, winning awards and assistanships at prestigious graduate programs, performing leading and supporting roles in university Opera productions, appearing as soloists with university ensembles, and being awarded vocal scholarships. Learn more at www.penelopeshumate.com. – updated December 2022

Voice Type: Soprano

Music Styles Taught: Opera; Jazz; Folk; Classical; Musical Theatre

Availability: I am available as a performer; I am available as a clinician or presenter; I accept students through a college or university program

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