(Credit: Athlone Artists)

Soprano Nicole Elyse Keeling has joined the roster of Athlone Artists.

Keeling is the grand prize winner of the 2024 Opera Ithaca Vocal Competition and has been part of the apprentice programs at Opera Colorado, Utah Festival Opera, Lakes Area Music Festival, Opera Breve, the San Miguel Institute of Bel Canto, and Santa Fe Opera. She was won top prizes from the Benton-Schmidt Competition, Vocal Artistry Art Song Competition, and the OU School of Music’s Concerto Competition.

She recently performed the role of Senta in “Der fliegende Holländer” with Painted Sky Opera and workshopped the role of Euridice in Nmon Ford’s new house music opera “House of Orfeus.” She has also performed the role of Tatiana in “Eugene Onegin” with Opera in the Heights, and Poulenc’s “Gloria” with the University of Arkansas Little Rock.

“When I first heard Nicole sing I thought to myself ‘here is the next Verdi soprano about to emerge.’ I’m excited to have her join our roster, and can’t wait to hear how that voice continues to grow over the next few years,” Miguel Rodriguez of Athlone Artists said in an official press release.

Keeling added, “Miguel really understands me as a whole singer and a whole package.”