Resident Artists
Chrystal E. Williams, mezzo-soprano
AVA fourth-year Resident Artist
Hometown: Portsmouth, Virginia.
Education: M.M. in Opera Performance, Yale University School of Music, 2010; B.M. in Vocal Performance, Carnegie Mellon University, 2008.
Competitions: Finalist, Belvedere Competition, 2013; Third Prize, Liederkranz Competition, 2013; Encouragement Award, Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (New England Region), 2013; Second Place and WRTI Audience Favorite, Giargiari Bel Canto Competition, 2012; District Winner, Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Boston), 2012; Regional Winner, National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc., 2011; Second Place, Washington International Competition for Voice through the Friday Morning Music Club, 2010; Second Place, Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (New England), 2009; First Place, VA/NC Chapter of the National Society of Arts - Letters Career Award in Voice Competition, 2008; Sylvie Derdeyne Award in Voice, 2007.
Roles at AVA: Dulcinée, Don Quichotte; Olga, Eugene Onegin; Rosina, Il barbiere di Siviglia; Giannetta, L'elisir d'amore; Cuniza, Oberto; Nicklausse and the Muse, Les Contes d'Hoffmann; Zerlina, Don Giovanni; Fortune Teller, Arabella; Mistress of the Novices, Suor Angelica; Mistress Stone, The Scarlet Letter.
Other Roles: Linda, Lost in the Stars, Glimmerglass Festival; Death, Le Rossignol; Cherubino, Le nozze di Figaro; Anita, La Navarraise; Dritte Dame, Die Zauberflöt; Charlotte, Werther; all with Yale School of Music; Hansel, Hansel and Gretel, Aspen Music Festival; Secretary, The Consul; Lilianne La Fleur, Nine; Bradamante, Alcin;, title role, La Cenerentola; all with Carnegie Mellon University.
Upcoming Engagement: Yvette, The Garden of Martyrs, Academy of Music Theatre, September 2013.