399 MTSU ALUMNA WINS BIG IN METROPOLITAN OPERA CONTEST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 21, 2006
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Lisa L. Rollins, 615-898-2919

(NEW YORK/MURFREESBORO, Tenn.)—MTSU alumna Holli Harrison, a native of Chattanooga, Tenn., recently was named one of the top-five winners in the 52nd Metropolitan Opera National Council Grand Finals, where she showcased her “dark and mezzolike” soprano voice, as described by The New York Times, and took home a $15,000 prize.
Now a resident of New York City, Harrison—since her big win—is juggling auditions and eyeing her opera-related options.
“Right now I’m taking things one step at a time,” said Harrison, who earned a bachelor of science degree in music, with an emphasis in vocal performance, from MTSU in 1997.
“So far, (winning) has meant being able to pay for a lot of lessons and coaching and music … (and) one shopping trip,” Harrison said, commenting on the perks of her recent success.
In addition to the financial relief and notoriety, Harrison said she received an abundance of the thing that she enjoys most about singing.
“I love the thrill of a live audience,” she remarked. “They could have paid me $1 that day after having sung on that stage, with that orchestra, and I would have been happy.”
Harrison said that one of the people who, in part, is responsible for helping her get to that stage is MTSU music professor Ralphael Bundage, who helped direct the young singer toward opera.
“I grew up singing gospel—I am from the South, after all—and didn’t get into opera until I got to college,” Harrison explained.
Harrison said that after she met Bundage, she was accepted into the Nashville Opera chorus, which is directed by Bundage
“After that,” Harrison said. “I was hooked. … What could be better than getting paid to dress up and be someone else?”
Regarding Harrison’s latest prestigious opera win, Michael Linton, a professor with MTSU’s McLean School of Music, said, “The (Metropolitan Opera) competition is the world's leading competition for young singers, and for a MTSU alumna to win the award is a tremendous accomplishment for her.”
For more information regarding MTSU’s music school, please contact Tim Musselman at 615-898-2493.

ATTENTION, MEDIA—For editorial needs regarding Harrison, please contact Lisa L. Rollins in the Office of News and Public Affairs at lrollins@mtsu.edu or by calling 615-898-2919.