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Praised for her "velvety mezzo" (OperaWire), Christina Ray is equally at home on the choral, operatic, concert, and musical theatre stages. Highlights of her many stage experiences include Mrs. Splinters in Aaron Copland's The Tender Land and Ms. Lark in Mary Poppins with Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, Béatrice in Béatrice et Bénédict, with Landlocked Opera, Celeste #1 in Sunday in the Park with George, Ramiro in Mozart's La finta giardiniera, Hänsel from Humperdinck's Hänsel und Gretel. And who could forget the Rossini ladies, Rosina, Isabella, and Angelina?
Christina’s endless fascination for the human voice and all of the ways it can be utilized in singing many styles has led her to many continuing education endeavors. Most recently she completed a certification course in CCM/MT Voice Function 101 with Shenandoah University Professor, Maddie Tarbox. Christina gathers all of the tools she can find to help singers and teachers find and borrow the tools they need to succeed on the stage and in the studio.
Christina and her husband, Dr. Jonathan Ray are the Founding General and Artistic Directors of boutique opera company, Landlocked Opera. Landlocked Opera makes opera accessible to our community by celebrating historic operas while championing new works, ideas, and artists. Believing strongly in breaking down barriers and opera stereotypes, Landlocked Opera’s motto is "Opera for All.”
Christina is an Instructor of Voice and Music Theory at the University of Missouri School of Music. She is treasurer of the Mid-MO NATS Chapter. Christina received her Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from MU, a Master of Music in vocal performance from LSU and an Artist Certificate from UMKC.
Christina is proud and blessed for all of the roles she plays in life and on stage, but her favorite role of all time is being Lucy’s mommy. Christina and her family enjoy singing, hiking, playing with their cats, Churro and Gravy, and watching horrible reality TV shows.
Christina is the Co-founder and the General Director of Landlocked Opera company. Landlocked Opera's Mission is to make opera accessible to our community by celebrating historic operas while championing new works, ideas, and artists. Check out what she is up to over there and see how they are making opera in Columbia, MO!
In addition to her own voice studio, Christina also collaborates with Amy Johns to help singers "untrained" their voices. What does that mean? It means they whole-heartedly believe that cross-training and learning to use your voice in multiple styles is a healthy, practical approach to becoming a professional performer in our modern world. See how they are helping their students excel!