The Florida Grand Opera Interim General Director Maria Todaro has announced that FGO will support Miss Florida, Juliette Valle, with special training for her Miss America Competition talent segment.

Valle is an aspiring operatic soprano who will compete with “Sempre libera” from Verdi’s “La Traviata.”

In a statement, Todaro said, “We are so thrilled to work with this talented young artist again as she prepares for the Miss America competition. Juliette Valle is representing Florida on the national stage, and FGO not only has close to a century-long history of representing grand opera in Florida, but is internationally recognized for its work with young artists through the Studio Artist Program. Juliette is a lovely young woman inside and out, and she is also hard-working, genuine, and appreciative. We are so happy to be able to support her in this way and will be cheering her all the way to the crown!”

Valle will be coached by Samuel M. Townsend Studio Artist Manager Neil Nelson. She will study voice and Italian diction as well as acting with Todaro and director Matt Cooksey. She will also receive marketing and publicity advice tailored to the opera industry, and other opportunities such as informal chat sessions with the Florida Grand Opera Studio Artists, the chance to observe the behind-the-scenes workings of a professional company, and introductions to board members, donors, and audience members.

The company will also host a private dress rehearsal for her talent performance, giving Valle the opportunity to sing her aria in front of a crowd of industry insiders and supporters .

Valle is a graduate of the University of Miami with a Bachelor’s degree in political science and minors in broadcast journalism, musical theater and classical vocal performance. After the Miss America competition in January 2024, Valle intends to audition for graduate schools, pursuing a Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance with the goal of singing opera fulltime.