Biography

Praised for her “spicy and rich lyric soprano,” Wisconsin native Emily Secor enjoys performing on and off the operatic stage. Performance engagements of the 2023 season include covering “Susanna” in Le nozze di Figaro and the “Trio Soprano” in Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti with Madison Opera, Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, and the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, in which Emily was the recipient of an Encouragement Award in the Minnesota District.

Emily was highlighted as the soprano soloist in the Madison Symphony Orchestra's performance of “Beyond the Score®: Mahler: Symphony No. 4 — Heaven or Earth?” in March 2023. Featuring American Players Theatre actors and multimedia images, the first half served as a lecture performance, followed by the performance of the entire work in the second half.

Emily performed the role of “Diana” in Madison Opera’s production of Orpheus in the Underworld in April 2022. “In this heavenly firmament, a few stars light up the stage… Emily Secor steals scenes as Diana the huntress, punctuating phrases with slaps of her riding crop.” (Lindsay Christians, The Capital Times).

In conjunction with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, Emily was a featured soloist for "A Virtual Madison Symphony Christmas," a pre-recorded Christmas program that aired during the month of December 2020. Described as "a sheer delight," her performance received glowing accolades:

Emily’s tenure as one of Madison Opera’s Studio Artists spanned two seasons. The 2019-2020 season included performances of the role of Annina and covering the role of Violetta in La Traviata, and Miss Lightfoot in Fellow Travelers. Performances during the 2018-2019 season included covering the role of Nedda in I Pagliacci, performing the role of Mrs. Nordstrom and covering Anne Egerman in A Little Night Music, and performing the role of First Woodsprite and covering the title role in Rusalka.

Other operatic performances include covering the role of First Woodsprite in Rusalka as an Apprentice Artist with the Des Moines Metro Opera (2018), performing the role of Liz Taylor in scenes from Jackie O. by Michael Dougherty and Gretel in Hansel and Gretel at the University of Northern Iowa (2018). As a soloist, she has performed with the Luther College Symphony and Combined Choirs for Handel’s Messiah. Emily also regularly performs the "Star Spangled Banner" for events like University of Wisconsin sporting events, Military Veteran recognition ceremonies (Quilts of Valor), and other various ceremonies. 

Emily is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa where she received a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Vocal Performance from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.