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ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï Conservatory welcomes the return of alumna soprano Karen Jesse ’04 for a guest recital at 8 p.m. Friday, July 24, at First United Methodist Church of Christ () in ÍøÆسԹÏ.

The free performance serves as the launch of ÍøÆسԹÏ’s 2015 Vocal Academy for High School Students, an annual summer program that offers training in technique, acting, and musicianship to aspiring young singers.

Hailed by Opera News for her promising vocal talent and superior artistry, Jesse has enjoyed early success on the opera stage and has received numerous awards and scholarships, including first place at the district installment of the Metropolitan Opera Council Auditions. In November 2013, she returned to campus to portray the Witch in Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel, presented by ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï Opera Theater.

The July 24 performance will include works by Mahler, Britten, and Richard Strauss. It will be followed by a reception with Jesse.

For more information on the 2015 Vocal Academy and other summer programs at ÍøÆسԹÏ, please visit .