Hello! My name is Kristiana Jones and I will be attending the MPM Summer Opera Program in July of 2025 in Bergamo, Italy.

I am really excited! For as long as I can remember, singing has always been my passion. Whether it was singing on stage, in the shower, or in class where the teacher would politely tap me on the shoulder and ask me to be quiet, I've always had a song on my heart that I enjoy sharing. After a while, my favorite passion quickly developed into a talent. People enjoyed hearing me sing just as much as I enjoyed singing. Having this gift inspired me to take my talent further and turn it into my profession and study voice performance in college to become an opera singer. They say if you do something you love, you never work a day in your life, but I disagree with this statement. While I enjoy singing, it still takes discipline and hard work to make progress and reach my goals. When I would feel defeated and tired, I had to learn how to push through the tough times even if I didn't want to. I had to because of my love for singing. The truth is, just because you love something doesn't make it easily manageable, but it is the love for it that keeps you going.

As the eldest sibling of a six-person household, it was my love for singing that drove me to do my best to earn the scholarships that I have to help pay for college. Likewise, my love for singing and desire to excel in performing is what led me to audition for summer opera programs, and I ended up being accepted into all of the five programs I auditioned for.

The Musica Proibita Management Summer Opera Program in Bergamo, Italy stood out to me because they've already cast me as Susanna in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro to be performed with a full orchestra. This is an amazing role for a young soprano like myself. I will receive study and performance experience under the artistic guidance of an internationally acclaimed faculty of voice teachers, vocal coaches, conductors, and stage directors.

Here is a little about the program:

The Musica Proibita Summer Opera is a 17-day intensive study program for singers from advanced college students finishing undergraduate degrees to emerging professionals seeking to reach the next level of their careers. It is designed to build skills and discipline that will help singers to succeed in an opera career. It also provides a full immersion into Italian culture, which is a great place to be when studying Italian Opera.

I know this experience will really elevate my level as a performer, and although I am still in college studying to get my degree, it is best that I start performing now!

Finally, because this program is very expensive for my family to afford, I know I won't be able to tackle this one alone. This fundraiser will aid in helping me reach that goal of further developing my craft by financially supporting my trip. Even though this journey is not an easy one, I am willing to do the work necessary to make it to the big opera houses where I can continue to sing, enjoy my passion, and share it with others.

Listen to my audition pieces here!

Day Break in Alabama -- Ricky Ian Gordon

Mein Herr Marquis -- Johann Strauss II