Soprano, Carolyn Orr, from Montgomery, Texas, is a vibrant musician who is passionate about spreading her love for opera. A 2024 District Winner in the North Carolina Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, Carolyn is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Vocal Performance at the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute where she has studied with Glenn Siebert and Dr. Marilyn Taylor. Carolyn received her undergraduate training from Baylor University, where she studied under Dr. Robert Best.
In her time as a Fletcher Fellow, Carolyn Performed as Maria in Donizetti's “Maria di Rohan,” and Vanella in Pergolesi’s, “lo frate ‘nnamorato.” Previously, Carolyn was featured as Iphis in Handel’s “Jephtha,” Angelica in Haydn’s “Orlando Paladino,” and Lydia Larkspur in Kirke Mechem’s “The Rivals.” In addition to her success in the MET competition, last year Carolyn was awarded an Encouragement Award from the Heafner Williams Vocal Competition and was also selected to be a Young Artist at the International Performing Arts Institute in Bavaria, Germany where she won First Place in their Gesangwettbewerb.
In the 2021-2022 season, Carolyn has had the opportunity to participate in many amazing projects. Carolyn performed the roles of Countess Almaviva from "Le Nozze di Figaro" (The Matador Opera Workshop), and Johanna from "Sweeny Todd" (Red River Lyric Opera).
While in the Baylor Opera Theater, Carolyn took on multiple projects including portraying the title role in the main stage production of "L’incoronazione di Poppea," as well as the roles of Clara from "Signor Deluso" and Ifigenia from Händel’s "Oreste." Carolyn was an active liaison with the Baylor Opera Theater Guild as well as one of the Baylor Opera Theater Social Media Coordinators for three years, and performed in multiple scenes performances, guild events, and fundraisers. Additionally, while in school Carolyn competed in multiple district and regional NATS competitions where she was frequently named a finalist in her category, and in May of 2020, she competed in the final round of the Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Voice competition where she won First Place.
Other training includes young artist programs such as Matador Opera Workshop (Firodiligi), LAHSOW (Pamina, Rusalka), Druid City Opera Workshop, Chicago Summer Opera (Alice), the Atlantic Music Festival (Second Woman/Spirit), The Metropolitan Opera Guild, and the Washington National Opera Institute.
In addition to her operatic roles, Carolyn sang as a member of the Grammy Award winning Houston Chamber Choir, premiering works such as Daniel Knaggs’ "Two Streams," Tyshawn Sorey’s "Monochromatic Light (Afterlife)," and Alberto Grau’s "Lamentations of Jeremiah." Further, Carolyn also premiered and recorded "The Chapelwood Symphony of Hymns" written by David T. Clydesdale, featuring The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
In concert, Carolyn has been afforded the opportunity to perform as a soloist in the Houston Chamber Choir’s Candle Light Christmas, as well as with the Montgomery All City Choir singing Handel’s "Dixit Dominus." Other notable performances include, Resphighi’s "Laud to the Nativity," Handel’s "Messiah," Vivaldi’s "Gloria," and Finzi’s "In Terra Pax" with the Seventh and James Baptist
Church in Waco, Texas. Additionally, Carolyn was also honored to return to her hometown of Montgomery to sing scenes as Lauretta from "Gianni Schicchi" and Violetta from "La Traviata" with the Montgomery County Choral Society in their concert of Love.
Carolyn is passionate about spreading her love of music to those around her so during the COVID-19 pandemic she began teaching students (ages 11-18) in her local school districts. Her students found much success in the Texas All-State Process, Greater Houston NATS competition, Montgomery County Solo Competition, Undergraduate auditions, and their many choir and community outreach projects.