FEATURED ALUMNUS: TYLER WAYNE SMITH

Opera Manhattan's renewed mission to support artists not only focuses on the ones who are currently participating in the Artist Development Program.  There are many who have steadily advanced their careers and Opera Manhattan is proud to be able to honor them in monthly features.
_________________________________________________________________________________

TWS as the Witch in OM's Hansel & Gretel

Countertenor Tyler Wayner Smith is known to Opera Manhattan audiences as Tolomeo in Giulio Gesare, the Witch in Hansel and Gretel and the Sorceres in Dido and Aeneas ("utterly fantastic" according to ReviewFix.com).

He will soon make his Broadway debut as Mary Sunshine in Chicago, the Musical, after a stint in the National Tour. Of his tour performance, Chicago Theater Beat reported "And, memorably, T.W. Smith's toxic depiction of a sob-sister reporter is as deceptive as her crime stories." and This Week in Texas Magazine said "Wichita Falls native T.W. Smith plays Mary Sunshine, and he, yes he, does an amazing job in this female role. He has many operatic credits under that dress, and was great fun to watch."

Tyler sang La tasse chinoise and La libellule in Pocket Opera New York's production of L'enfant et les sortileges. He was featured in a leading role in the North American Premiere of the German Opera 3x3=Infinity in Boston, MA, with Juventas New Music Ensemble, and he also sang Ruggiero in Handel's Alcina with NY Opera Forum at Lincoln Center's Bruno Walter Auditorium. Tyler performed the title role in Opera Breve New York's production of Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice under the direction of renowned mezzo-soprano Eugenie Grunewald, and sang Sesto in Camerata Baroque's premiere production of Handel's Giulio Cesare.

Tyler was educated at New York University, one of the premiere drama schools in the U.S., and has studied voice with several disciples of revolutionary vocal pedagogue Cornelius Reid, including his current teacher, Lenora Eve.