Beautiful Sheriff
From Fort Valley, Ga, Beautiful Sheriff holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from the Townsend School of Music at Mercer University. Whilst studying under her voice professor, Marie Roberts, she performed in roles such as Perlimpinpin in “La Sorcier Dernier” by Pauline Viardot and 2nd Woman in “Dido and Aeneas” by Henry Purcell.
As a member of the Mercer Singers Choir, under the direction of Dr. Stanley Roberts, she performed in the ensemble along with being a featured soloist on varying occasions. Beautiful was a finalist and alternate for the Chatauqua Summer Opera Institute along with being granted the role of Donna Elvira in “Don Giovanni” with the Prague Summer Nights Young Artist Program (not perform). Currently, Beautiful attends the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University pursuing a masters degree in Vocal Performance. Her upcoming performances includes performing the role of ‘Atalanta’ in an upcoming scenes production of Handel’s Atalanta and the role of ‘Venere’ Rice University’s spring production of Monteverdi’s L'incoronazione di Poppea.
Antonio Domino
Antonio Domino, tenor, is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana and is a current second year master’s student at Rice University in Houston, TX. As an undergraduate at the Loyola University School of Music, Antonio has performed the operatic roles of Aeneas in Henry Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas and Le petit vieillard in Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges. As a graduate student at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.
Antonio has performed the role of Dick McGann in Kurt Weill’s Street Scene and the roles of Tonio from La Fille du Régiment, Remendado from Carmen, Count Almaviva from The Barber of Seville and Don Curzio from The Marriage of Figaro in the Opera scenes program. At his most recent summer engagement, he performed the role of Tamino in the Magic Flute at LAH-SOW. Antonio has won many awards and accolades, including winning first place in the NATS southern region for Senior TBB and has had the privilege to participate in Houston Grand Opera’s Young Artist Vocal Academy.
Viviana Aurelia Goodwin
A proud native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, soprano Viviana Aurelia Goodwin is a first year masters student at Rice University under the instruction of Professor Nova Thomas. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from Oklahoma City University under the tutelage of Professor Jeffrey Picòn.
Her most recent performances include Strawberry Woman cover in Porgy & Bess (Des Moines Metro Opera), Beth in Little Women (Oklahoma City University), Fiordiligi in Cosí fan tutte, Sophie de Palma in Masterclass, and Sister Mary Amnesia in Nunsense (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma). As a passionate advocate for the arts and its ability to share impactful stories and connect individuals she currently serves as a Marketing Manager with the ROCO symphony.
Avalon Hogans
Avalon Hogans is an inspired writer, activist, and performer. She is the sixth named Houston Youth Poet Laureate (2021-2022) by Mayor Sylvester Turner. She has many civic engagements for the City of Houston and has spoken internationally. Hogans has collaborated with numerous renowned organizations from the NAACP to the League of Women’s Voters to NASA. She has performed on many stages, from Rice University to Hobby Center for Performing and Visual Arts to Miller Outdoor Theatre to audiences in the thousands. As a freshman at Rice University with a proclamation for her own day from the City of Houston (November 17, 2021), Avalon is a proud Houstonian and a determined change-maker.
Jaylin Vinson
Jaylin Vinson is a composer and violinist born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Vinson's music reflects his passion for Black and African musical idioms and his commitment to expressing a deep and joyful connection to his heritage. Vinson's works are infused with the sounds and rhythms of gospel, hip-hop, and other musical expressions from the African diaspora. He draws inspiration from traditional and contemporary sources to create pieces that are both modern and timeless. His music is a sonic expression of his unadulterated joy and a reflection of his deep emotional connection to his cultural roots.
Vinson has been performed widely around the United States. His recent collaborators include Brevard Music Center, Columbia Civic Orchestra, Heifetz International Music Institute, and the US Navy Band. Vinson has received distinction from Brevard Music Center as a Fromm Foundation Fellow. Additionally, he received a winning award in the International Tribeca New Music and the Texas New Music Ensemble Student Composition Competition. This summer, Vinson will be receiving his Carnegie Hall debut with his orchestral work “Scissor-Tailed.”
Vinson is pursuing a BM in composition from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. He is a student of Anthony Brandt, Kurt Stallmann, and Edward Knight.
