JoAna Rusche
Assistant Professor of Music - Voice
SFA 108
(501) 450-5722
Dr. JoAna Rusche, mezzo-soprano, has appeared in operas, concerts, and recitals throughout the United States and Europe. She has sung such roles as Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Angelina in La Cenerentola, Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia, The Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Second Lady in Die Zauberflöte, Fiora in L’amore dei tre re, Tamara in The Demon, Soeur Mathilde in Dialogues des Carmélites, Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, L’Enfant in L’Enfant et les Sortilège, and Sheva Haddas in the world premiere of Enemies, A Love Story. She has performed with opera companies and young artist programs including the Academy of Vocal Arts, Palm Beach Opera, Opera North, Opera New Jersey, and Teatro Nuovo.
Dr. Rusche is a two-time District Winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and has received second place in the Birmingham Opera Competition and the Heafner Williams Vocal Competition, first place in the Long Leaf Opera National Vocal Competition and the Charlotte Opera Guild Auditions, and first place in the National Federation of Music Clubs and Auditions at the state and national levels. She was also the recipient of the Orpheus DaCapo Award in the Orpheus Vocal Competition.
Dr. Rusche is an AmSAT certified Alexander Technique instructor. Her holistic approach to vocal technique combines the pedagogical traditions of bel canto singing with the practices and principles of the Alexander Technique. She received her teacher certification from Alexander Technique Ann Arbor, led by Jane Heirich.
Dr. Rusche received a D.M.A. in Voice Performance from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor as a student of Dr. Louise Toppin. She received a M.M. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro studying with Professor Clara O’Brien, and a B.M. in Voice and Piano Performance from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a student of Dr. Jeanne Fischer. She is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honorary Society.