FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (6/05)
Contact: Gale Odom, Dean of Hurley School of Music, 318-869-5235, or Lynn Stewart or Kelsey Johnson, Centenary News Service, 318-841-7265

Centenary Alum Earns Prestigious Opera Contract

SHREVEPORT, LA— Centenary alumnus Gregory Warren, '98, of Longview, Texas, earns a prestigious two-year contract with Washington’s National Opera as a member of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program.

Under the leadership of General Director Plácido Domingo and the patronage of First Lady Laura Bush, the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program is designed for singers on the verge of international careers. World-renowned singers, directors and coaches work to guide members of the program in their transition from musician to artist and help them build long-lasting careers.

Warren has been singing with the Santa Fe Opera for the past two summers. He is a former regional winner of the Metropolitan Opera Auditions and of the Governor’s Award, which is given to the most promising professional voice by the Southern Region of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. He has been a finalist in both the Palm Beach National Vocal Competition and the Houston Grand Opera Competition.

Warren's contract with Washington's National Opera will begin August 22. One of his first assignments will be to cover the role of Nemorino in Elixir of Love by Donizetti.

For more information, contact Gale Odom, dean of the Hurley School of Music at godom@centenary.edu or 318-869-5235.

- 30 -