Kristin Lewis visits UCA as artist-in-residence

Kristin Lewis

Kristin Lewis

By: Thomas Staab
Office of Media Relations

The University of Central Arkansas will host Kristin Lewis, a lirico-spinto soprano who has graced the stages of many of the world’s leading opera houses, as an artist-in-residence from Wednesday, April 12, to Saturday, April 22. 

On the final evening of Lewis’s residency, she will be featured in the Conway Symphony Orchestra. This concert will take place on Saturday, April 22, at 7:30 p.m. in Reynolds Performance Hall. 

The international opera star is esteemed for her majestic sound that is rich in overtones and includes a rare blend of piano culture. Lewis has a long list of prestigious awards which includes receiving UCA’s 2022 Distinguished Alumni award.

A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Lewis grew up in a musical family and began performing at an early age. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from UCA under the guidance of Martha Antolik and a Master of Music degree while studying at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

Lewis’s postgraduate study was undertaken with the tutelage of Jonathan Retzlaff, and currently with Carol Byers. Lewis now resides in Vienna, Austria.

Additionally, Lewis will host two separate master classes during her residency. The first will occur on Friday, April 14. The second will take place on Wednesday, April 19. Both masterclasses will begin at 12:00 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Snow Fine Arts Building. 

Lewis will hold a class visit to Leading An Artist Life in Opera on Thursday, April 13, from 1:40-2:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Snow Fine Arts Building. 

Lewis’s dedication to opera performance, her passion for humanitarian work and her commitment to providing resources for young and talented artists encapsulate her image as a global ambassador of the arts.