Stephanie Shelden

Stephanie Shelden, mezzo-soprano, is a native of Wichita, KS, and a sought-after performer and teacher. She is looking forward to making her Wichita Grand Opera debut this fall as the Third Wood Sprite in Rusalka and will return to the company shortly after to sing Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel. She made her Opera Kansas debut in the Spring of 2024 as Jane in The Murderess, the second-ever performance of the opera. Other role credits include Mercédès (Carmen), Meriola (Two Remain) an emergency performer at Central City Opera, Dritte Dame (Die Zauberflöte), Cherubino (Le Nozze di Figaro), and Annio (La Clemenza di Tito). Stephanie attended Wichita State University for her undergrad where she received a double major in Voice Performance and Cello Performance. She then went on to receive a Master's degree in Cello Performance from the University of North Texas before she received her Master of Music in Voice Performance from Florida State University where she studied with David Okerlund. Upon graduating, she sang as a Young Artist with Central City Opera for two seasons. Stephanie won first place in the Barbara Rondelli Competition at Pittsburg State University, was a winner of the Hannah J. Beaulieu Competition at Florida State University, and a Kansas City District winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.