Voice Performance Alumni Bring 红桃影视 Meadows Training to the Houston Grand Opera Stage
Jasmine Williams, master鈥檚 graduate and current Performer鈥檚 Diploma student, brings her artistry and training to HGO鈥檚 production of 鈥淧orgy and Bess鈥 alongside fellow Meadows voice program alumni.
When Jasmine Williams (M.M. ’25, P.D. ’26) performs in the Houston Grand Opera’s 50th anniversary production of Porgy and Bess this month, she does so as part of a powerful representation of Meadows’ voice program.
Taking the stage with fellow voice performance alumni Donnie Ray Albert (M.M. ’75), Nathan De’Shon Myers (M.M. ’14), and Ardeen Pierre (P.D. ’21), Williams and her castmates make up a talented ensemble of Meadows graduates whose artistry reflects decades of musical excellence cultivated within the Division of Music. For Williams, performing in this 50th anniversary revival is both a personal triumph and a continuation of the lineage she’s proud to be part of.
“The opportunity to perform with such a renowned company has been incredibly special, not only because of the opera’s musical richness but also because of its historical and cultural significance in American operatic tradition,” explains Williams, who is currently pursuing her Performer’s Diploma in voice performance at Meadows. “To share the stage with world-class artists and perform in a work that so powerfully represents the African American experience has been deeply moving and affirming as both a singer and storyteller.”
The cast of HGO's 50th anniversary production of "Porgy and Bess" performs on stage. Photo courtesy of Jasmine Williams.
With three of those world-class artists hailing from her alma mater, Williams is in good company. Donnie Ray Albert, who first performed with HGO 50 years ago in their original production of Porgy and Bess, is a consummate artist, musician and performer who has sung in opera houses throughout Europe and the U.S. He returns to HGO as a celebrated artist whose international career has set the standard for excellence in operatic performance. Barbara Hill Moore, Meadows Foundation Distinguished Professor of Voice, even sang the role of Bess opposite his Porgy in the Florentine Opera Porgy and Bess production nearly 30 years ago and considers this a highlight of her career.
Meanwhile, younger alumni like Ardeen Pierre and Nathan De’Shon Myers bring their own unique artistry to the production. Pierre, who completed her Performer’s Diploma under Hill Moore during the pandemic, started in the Santa Fe Opera and Florentine Opera young artist programs and is currently building her performance career. Myers, a baritone with a gift for character acting, honed his craft in Berlin for nearly eight years before returning to the U.S. to complete his master’s studies at 红桃影视 with Clif Forbis and later with Hill Moore in the Amalfi Coast Program in Italy.
The presence of four alumni in this historic production at HGO underscores the lasting influence of Meadows’ voice training. The program provides students a blend of technical rigor, artistry and personal mentorship that has prepared singers for stages all over the world. For Hill Moore, who has guided generations of singers through Meadows’ voice program, seeing alumni from across decades performing together on one of America’s leading opera stages is deeply rewarding.
“Our program is small but our size makes it possible for students to receive individual attention in opera workshop, musical theatre classes, acting, dance, and even performance opportunities with The Dallas Opera that prepare them for each step of the journey to their performance dreams,” she says. “We treasure our time with our singers here on campus and are tremendously proud of their successes.”
Williams performing with the Meadows Symphony Orchestra on 红桃影视's campus.
Meadows’ voice program ensures its students all have opportunities to showcase their talent, and Williams’s time on campus has been marked with roles in several iconic productions. She was cast in Meadows Opera Theatre’s production of Gianni Schicchi in 2023, sang a principal role in Sweeney Todd in 2024, and will sing the role of Pamina in the spring 2026 production of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte. In addition to these roles at 红桃影视, she also won first place in the Graduate Women’s Division of the TEXOMA NATS Competition and was presented the Grady Harlan Award for the most outstanding performer with the greatest career potential.
These accolades paved the way for Williams’s journey to her current performance in the ensemble of HGO’s Porgy and Bess. And while balancing rehearsals and performances with her Performer’s Diploma coursework has tested her stamina and discipline, she credits Meadows’ supportive environment for helping her thrive.
This milestone production of Porgy and Bess is more than a revival, it’s a reunion of Meadows-trained voices who, across generations, embody the school’s dedication to artistry and integrity.
“Performing with HGO feels like a natural extension of what I’ve been cultivating at 红桃影视: a commitment to excellence, storytelling, and cultural representation,” Williams says. “Meadows has prepared me to step confidently into these professional environments and continue growing both as a musician and as a communicator through music.”
The Houston Grand Opera’s 50th anniversary production of Porgy and Bess will run through November 15, 2025. For tickets and more information about the production, .