LA TRAVIATA with El Paso Opera – 06/03/23

Engagements, Standard Opera Repertoire

Cherry Duke returns to the Abraham Chavez stage with El Paso Opera in LA TRAVIATA. She plays the role of Violetta’s friend, Flora Bervoix. The show will be conducted by Jorge Parodí and stage directed by Justin Lucero. —   Details Event: LA TRAVIATA...

An Afternoon of Song – 04/23/23

African American Composers, African Diaspora Composers, Engagements, Female Composers, Latin American Music, Recital

Together with acclaimed pianist Dr. Casey Robards, Cherry and her husband, tenor Brian Downen, present a recital of works for voice and piano. The concert at Central Christian Church in Decatur, Illinois, also features Millikin University conductor and professor...

THE FOX AND THE COOKIE – world premiere – 03/23

African American Composers, Chamber Music, Cross-over, Director, Diversity, Engagements, Female Composers, New Music, Teaching, US Premiere, World Premiere

This semester, Opera UTEP will present the world premiere of an opera for young audiences with words and music by Maria Thompson Corley. THE FOX AND THE COOKIE is a 30-minute work based loosely on Aesop’s Fables. It addresses themes of bullying, forgiveness,...

Song Cycles by African Heritage Composers – 02/24/23

African American Composers, African Diaspora Composers, Conference Presentation, Engagements, Female Composers, Latin American Music, Recital, Special Programs

Cherry presents excerpts from her program Life & Death: Art Songs of African American and African Diaspora Composers at the 3rd Annual Sam Houston State University Art Song Festival. Admission is free; click the “Buy Tickets” link below for virtual...

¡Celebracion! – 10/13/22

African Diaspora Composers, Director, Diversity, Engagements, Female Composers, Latin American Music, Producer, Special Programs

Cherry Duke produces and directs Opera UTEP’s annual Hispanic Heritage concert, with headlining guest artist baritone Levi Hernandez. Additional guest performers include UTEP faculty Oscar Macchioni (piano), Hiram Rodriguez (guitar), as well as Opera...

LIFE & DEATH: Art songs by African American & African Diaspora composers – 11/10/22

African American Composers, African Diaspora Composers, Arts Activism, Conference Presentation, Diversity, Engagements, Female Composers, Latin American Music, New Music, Recital, Special Programs

NATS member Cherry Duke and Esequiel Meza, Jr., piano, were selected from a competitive pool to perform their recital at the 2022 Texoma NATS Conference Artist Series. The National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc. (NATS) was founded in 1944 and is now the...