Tessa McQueen, a 2024 master’s graduate of Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, has been selected as one of 14 participants for the Metropolitan Opera’s esteemed Lindemann Young Artist Development Program.
The two- to three-year program established in 1980 is renowned for its role in cultivating extraordinary talent in the opera world. Dedicated to nurturing young artists who demonstrate exceptional promise, it provides unparalleled resources to its participants, including guidance from celebrated Met artists, coaches and master teachers along with exposure through active participation in Met productions.
McQueen, a soprano originally from Colorado, joins the ranks of notable past participants such as Sondra Radvanovsky, Russell Thomas, Nathan Gunn, Stephanie Blythe and Shepherd School alumna Sasha Cooke. Her selection into the program follows an impressive track record of achievements, including being a 2024 national finalist in the Mets Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition.
During the Met’s 2024-25 season, McQueen will make her debut as the Countess Ceprano in “Rigoletto,” sing the role of the priestess in “Aida” and cover Chloe in “The Queen of Spades.” These roles mark an exciting beginning to her journey with the Met, offering her a platform to showcase her talents on a prominent stage.
“Tessa being named a Lindemann Young Artist is a tremendous honor and a testament to her extraordinary talent and hard work,” said Joshua Winograde, director of opera studies and professor of opera at the Shepherd School. “The Metropolitan Opera is one of the most important opera houses in the world, and its young artist program has been graduating singers and pianists of great renown for over four decades. It’s a point of pride for us at the Shepherd School to see one of our own accepted into their ranks. This achievement reflects the high caliber of our students and the excellence of our opera program.”
While studying voice at the Shepherd School with Professor Nova Thomas, McQueen starred as the Female Chorus in “The Rape of Lucretia” and the title role of “L’incoronazione di Poppea.” She has also performed as Nedda in “Pagliacci” and covered Donna Elvira in “Don Giovanni” with the Merola Opera Program’s Schwabacher Summer Concert Series. Additionally, she covered Marguerite in “Faust” at Wolf Trap Opera. McQueen’s accomplishments have earned her several accolades, including third place in the 2023 Palm Springs Opera Guild Competition and the 2022 Denver Lyric Opera Guild Competition as well as the Young Artist of the Season Award from Central City Opera.
“We are immensely proud of Tessa and thrilled to see her continue to excel on such a prestigious platform,” Winograde said.
