Keri Rusthoi

Keri Rusthoi is a Lecturer of Music - Voice at Colorado Mesa University and serves as academic music faculty at Colorado Mountain College. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Vocal Performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, a Master of Music from the University of New Mexico, and a Bachelor of Arts from The Colorado College. Her operatic career includes prominent roles such as Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus, Adina in The Elixir of Love, and Countess Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro. She is the founder and former Artistic Director of Emerald City Opera (now Opera Steamboat) and currently leads the Yampa Valley Singers as Music Director. Rusthoi is also a respected conductor, violist, and voice teacher, with recent engagements including conducting workshops at Julliard and the Cork School of Music. Her 2021 publication Opera Voodoo: Casting for Regional Operatic Productions provides essential guidance for opera producers. Awards include the Denver Lyric Opera Award and recognition from the New Mexico Symphony.

• Education: DMA (UNLV), MM (UNM), BA (Colorado College)
• Key Roles: Music Director, Yampa Valley Singers; Adjunct Faculty, Colorado Mountain College; Artistic Advisor, Emerald City Opera

Her research and artistic contributions span vocal pedagogy, contemporary music performances, and opera administration. She has collaborated with renowned institutions such as the Santa Fe Opera and Manhattan School of Music, and her performances include soloist roles with orchestras in Colorado, New Mexico, and Europe. Rusthoi’s work extends to arts administration, serving on panels for the Colorado Creative Industries and advising the Yampa Valley Choral Society.