Cherry Duke

About

Cherry Duke is a Professor of Practice at the University of Texas at El Paso, where she teaches applied voice and directs the opera program. She joined the UTEP music faculty in 2015. A distinguished mezzo-soprano, Duke has performed over 60 operatic roles including title roles in Carmen, Hansel and Gretel, and L'italiana in Algeri. She was a principal artist with New York City Opera from 1999-2010 and created the role of The Captain in David T. Little's landmark opera Dog Days. Duke earned her Bachelor's degree summa cum laude from Texas Woman's University, studying under mezzo-soprano Joan Wall, and received her Artist Diploma in Opera Performance from Hartt School, University of Hartford. She has performed over 30 oratorio and concert performances and trained at the Israel Vocal Arts Institute in Tel Aviv, with apprenticeships at Opera North, Chautauqua Opera, and Glimmerglass Opera. Currently serving as Artistic Director and Director of Resident Artists for El Paso Opera since 2024, Duke has received numerous awards including the 2023 Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award from the UT System and was named Champion of Diversity by Black El Paso Voice.

Education & Qualifications

Artist Diploma in Opera Performance - Hartt School, University of Hartford; Bachelor of Music (summa cum laude) - Texas Woman's University; Training: Israel Vocal Arts Institute, Opera North, Chautauqua Opera, Glimmerglass Opera

Teaching Styles