Then, Now, Next: CCM Opera/Voice featured in New York City recital

The Gerda Lissner Foundation presents "CCM Opera: Then. Now. Next" on at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026, in a special performance at The Greene Space at WQXR Studios in New York City. Presented as part of the Lissner Recital Series, the performance will be recorded and livestreamed on the Foundation's YouTube channel (the link goes live on Nov. 15). 

Audiences can enjoy the performance in person at The Green Space as well; register online through the UC Foundation. A reception hosted by CCM Dean Pete Jutras and Amy Johnson, CCM J. Ralph Corbett Distinguished Chair of Opera, will follow the performance.

From La Bohème to Broadway and new works, this special CCM Opera/Voice performance brings current students and distinguished alumni together to celebrate the voices that have shaped CCM and the emerging artists carrying its tradition forward into the future. The Gerda Lissner Foundation invited CCM to perform as part of their Lissner Recital Series, which highlights singers associated with music conservatories around the country. 

CCM's performance features alumni John Holiday, countertenor (MM Voice, ’12); Robert Stahley, tenor (MM Voice, ’16; AD Opera, ’18); and Emma Marhefka, soprano (MM Voice, ’23). It also showcases current students Mariah Graves, soprano; Morgan Small, soprano; Clara Reeves, soprano; Claire Strong, mezzo; Xiaofeng Hou, tenor; Andrew Hallam, baritone and Alan Rendzak, baritone. 

Register to enjoy the performance in person at The Green Space at WQXR Studios in New York City. 

Watch the livesteam on The Gerda Lissner Foundation's YouTube Channel.

Ranked No. 2 in the nation for Classical Voice/Opera Programs by InsideMusicSchools.com, CCM embraces artists at their current level and nurtures them towards their ultimate potential. CCM’s Opera and Voice Departments provide one of the most comprehensive training programs for opera singers, coaches and directors in the United States.

Students are often accepted into prestigious young artist programs around the country and find success at top competitions. Recent accomplishments include: 

• Edward Ferran won top prize in the 2026 Gerda Lissner Foundation Art Song Competition 
• Sam Dhobhany and Will Ryan named winners of the 2026 Sullivan Career Development Grants from the William Matheus Sullivan Musical Foundation 
• Madison Kavanaugh and Edward Ferran advanced to the final auditions for Chicago Lyric Opera
• Matthew Juhlin was named an Outstanding First Year Apprentice with The Santa Fe Opera

Alumni appear regularly at opera houses around the world, including the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Chicago Lyric Opera, New York City Opera, Opéra national de Paris, English National Opera, Glyndebourne Opera and many more. Recent accomplishments and upcoming performances include:

• Emma Marhefka won First Prize at the 2026 Operalia Competition in Shanghai. She also won awarded the Audience Prize and the Zarzuela Prize.
• Opéra national de Paris 2026-27 performances include: Tamara Wilson as Brünnhilde in Die Walküre and Siegfried, Jessica Fasselt as Helmwige in Die Walküre and Caitlin Gotimer as Anna Hartig (cover) in Suor Angelica
• More than 19 alumni appear in productions at Metropolitan Opera in 2027-27, including: Caitlin Gotimer, Caitlin Lynch, Emma Marhefka, Elena Villalon, Amanda Woodbury, Karis Tucker, Chad Skelton, Robert Stahley, Andrew Stetson, Andrew Manea, Marcus Shields, Alison Pogoric, John Trybus, Stephen Paynter, Elizabeth Sciblo, Christine Thomson Anderson, Maria D'Amato, Ashley Mason, Danielle Walker and more
• 2026 Metropolitan Opera Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition including finalist Gabrielle Turgeon and semifinalists Lauryn Davis and Page Michels

Featured image at the top: Xiaofeng Hou and Clara Reeves in CCM's recent production of La Bohème.