Native Texan, Jan Cornelius, acclaimed for her “wonderfully attractive soprano with a solid core” is a graduate of the prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, PA. Her voice has been described as a “dark-toned soprano, tipped with a silvery edge.” In the fall of 2010, she made her debuts with both Atlanta Opera as Musetta in La bohème, and Virginia Opera as Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte. Other upcoming roles include Arabella in Strauss’ opera by the same name, Giorgetta in Puccini’s Il Tabarro, and Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni. Last season, she debuted the role of Mimì (La bohème) and Countess Madeline (Strauss’ Capriccio) with the Academy of Vocal Arts, as well as Micaëla in Carmen with The Hawaii Performing Arts Festival. Other recent performances include the title role in the Donizetti’s Anna Bolena, Silvana in Respighi’s La fiamma, Manon Lescaut in the second act of Puccini’s masterpiece, as well as Violetta in La traviata with the Academy of Vocal Arts. As a Spectrum Resident Artist with Virginia Opera, she performed the roles of Frasquita in Carmen, and Nedda in I Pagliacci.

Ms. Cornelius has distinguished herself in numerous competitions. She recently earned first prize in the Giulio Gari International Vocal Competition and the Gerda Lissner Vocal Competition. In both 2009 and 2010, she represented the Mid-Atlantic Region as a semifinalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Competition and received grants from Opera Index. She was also awarded second prize by the Licia Albanese–Puccini Foundation, the Fritz & Lavinia Jensen Foundation, and the Loren L. Zachary Society. In 2009, she made her international competition debut as a finalist in the prestigious Monserrat Caballe International Vocal Competition in Zaragoza, Spain.

Jan Cornelius attended Louisiana State University, received her masters at the University of Houston, Moores School of Music, and currently studies with the world renowned voice teacher Bill Schuman at the Academy of Vocal Arts.