Lesley Anne Friend

Lesley Anne Friend serves as an Instructor in the Department of Music at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) and is a doctoral candidate in Vocal Performance and Literature at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music. A dramatic soprano, she maintains an active performance career spanning opera, oratorio, and contemporary works.

Her academic credentials include:

• B.M. cum laude in Vocal Performance from Montclair State University
• M.M. in Opera from The Boston Conservatory
• Artist Diploma from the University of Memphis
• Doctor of Music candidate (Vocal Performance and Literature, minor in Music History) at Indiana University

Research focuses on integrating musical theatre into traditional vocal curricula, alongside advocacy for new works and underrepresented repertoire. She has premiered compositions by Zachery Redler and Stephen Schwartz, and performed LGBTQ+ composer recitals during Pride Month 2023.

Major honors include:

• Metropolitan Opera National Council Awards Semi-Finalist
• Opera Birmingham Vocal Competition
• Marguerite McCammon Vocal Competition
• Connecticut Concert Opera recognition
• Orpheus Competition finalist
• International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition awardee
• NATS Intern program selection (2023)

Performance highlights feature leading roles in Ariadne auf Naxos, Tosca, and Don Giovanni with Virginia Opera, Sarasota Opera, and Opera Memphis. She has performed Verdi's Requiem with Boston’s Chorus Pro Musica and Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 with the Hartt School Orchestra, while championing works by Harry Partch and Ginastera.