Candace Burgess (Soprano, 2022-2024)

The Emerging Young Artist Award in 2022 was awarded to Soprano, Candace Burgess.  The Pittsburgh native holds a B.S. in Performance Voice from Duquesne University and specializes in the styles of opera/classical, jazz, musical theatre, and contemporary music.  This versatile vocal artist completed her Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance from Duquesne University while simultaneously running her educational recital series called I, Too, Sing: A Celebration of Classical Composers of the African Diaspora. In addition to gigging around the city of Pittsburgh, Candace has participated in two operas: Duquesne University’s 2019 production of Die Fledermaus wherein she portrayed the role of Sally and Chicago Summer Opera’s 2018 production of Die Zauberflöte where she played the role of Third knaben. Additionally, Candace has done some scene work where she has played characters such as Zerlina from “Don Giovanni”, Dorabella from “Cosí fan Tutte”, Sarah Good from “The Crucible”, First Wood Spirit from “Rusulka”, and Gianetta from “L’Elisir D’amore”.  She is currently a doctoral student at the University of Pittsburgh.