Alumni Accolades
Celebrate the remarkable achievements of our University of Kentucky alumni as we highlight their journeys and contributions to the world of opera and beyond!
A proud alumnus of the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre, Technical Sergeant Adam von Almen now serves as a tenor vocalist with the United States Air Force Singing Sergeants, the official chorus of the United States Air Force Band. Originally from Lima, Ohio, Adam’s journey has taken him from graduate studies and performances in Lexington to stages around the world. Before joining the Air Force in 2022, he enjoyed a vibrant performance career spanning musical theatre, opera, and even television. Highlights include productions of Candide with Pasadena Opera, Grease at Cabrillo Music Theater, and international performances with Tokyo Disney Sea. He has appeared at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and was named a finalist in the 2020 American Traditions Vocal Competition. OperaLex is proud to celebrate Adam’s service and his continuing musical excellence as a representative of UK Opera Theatre on the national stage.
Adam von Almen
American baritone Michael Preacely is making waves on the operatic stage with a versatile voice that spans classical, contemporary, Broadway, and pop. He has earned acclaim for roles such as Phantom (Phantom of the Opera), Scarpia (Tosca), Ford (Falstaff), Marcello (La Bohème), and both Porgy and Jake (Porgy and Bess). He has performed with major opera houses across the U.S. and abroad, including Opéra de Montréal, Opera Memphis, and Cincinnati Opera.
Preacely toured Europe in Porgy and Bess to rave reviews and performed in Russia with Opera Noire. On the concert stage, he has sung with orchestras like the Cleveland Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops, and Oakland East Bay Symphony. Michael is not only an alumni of our program but is also a member of our faculty. He joined our students onstage singing the role of William Still in our production of Sanctuary Road.
Preacely toured Europe in Porgy and Bess to rave reviews and performed in Russia with Opera Noire. On the concert stage, he has sung with orchestras like the Cleveland Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops, and Oakland East Bay Symphony. Michael is not only an alumni of our program but is also a member of our faculty. He joined our students onstage singing the role of William Still in our production of Sanctuary Road.
Michael Preacely
Tenor Evan LeRoy Johnson is captivating audiences on the world’s top opera stages with his “radiant” voice and “incandescent lyrical refinement” (Opera News). A standout graduate of the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre program, making his hometown debut at Minnesota Opera in Roméo et Juliette (Roméo) followed by returns to San Francisco Opera for La bohème (Rodolfo), National Theatre in Prague for Medea (Giasone), and a debut with the Canadian Opera Company in Eugene Onegin (Lenski). Future seasons include debuts with The Metropolitan Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago, along with a return to the National Theatre in Prague.
Evan LeRoy Johnson
Soprano Mary Hollis Hundley joined the Metropolitan Opera roster, covering Sister Catherine and Sister Lillianne in Dead Man Walking. In 2023, she reprised her role as Joella “Jo” Jenner in The Knock for Cincinnati Opera, after premiering it on film with Glimmerglass Festival. Other performances include Freia (Das Rheingold), Alecta (House of Orfeus), and Die Aufseherin (Elektra). Later this season, she sings Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni) with Arizona Opera and joins Mannes Opera for Lysistrata.
She made her official Glimmerglass debut in Taking Up Serpents and The Sound of Music and has performed with Santa Fe Opera, Detroit Opera, and Virginia Opera. A past winner of the Brava! Vocal Competition, she’s also earned awards from Opera Index and the Met National Council Auditions. With degrees from Mannes College and the University of Kentucky, her repertoire spans everything from Puccini and Britten to Tchaikovsky and Menotti.
She made her official Glimmerglass debut in Taking Up Serpents and The Sound of Music and has performed with Santa Fe Opera, Detroit Opera, and Virginia Opera. A past winner of the Brava! Vocal Competition, she’s also earned awards from Opera Index and the Met National Council Auditions. With degrees from Mannes College and the University of Kentucky, her repertoire spans everything from Puccini and Britten to Tchaikovsky and Menotti.
Mary Hollis Hundley
Matt has been singing leading roles across the country and will be debuting with the Chicago Opera Theatre and Pacific Opera Victoria this season. He debuted with the Dallas Symphony, and Chattanooga Symphony,
and workshopped an opera at the MET. He purchased his first home here in Lexington last year and is teaching private voice lessons and teaching Masterclasses at various Universities. He is honored to be joining the Board of OperaLex this year!
Matthew Pearce
Key’Mon Murrah has experienced a spectacular rise over the last several years. An acclaimed counter-tenor, Key’Mon had his Met Opera debut in El Niño. He was recently awarded the Marian Anderson Award by the Kennedy Center. In September 2024, Key’Mon sang in Beethoven’s 9th conducted by Gustavo Dudamel at the Hollywood Bowl.
Key’Mon Murrah
Baritone Markel Reed “brings great articulate power and style” (Broadway World) to opera, concert, and recital stages across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. He has performed with the Metropolitan Opera, including its GRAMMY® Award-winning Porgy and Bess, and created the role of Chester in Fire Shut Up in My Bones at the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis.
Praised as “a physical dynamo and a vocal delight” (Opera Today), Reed has starred as Parson Alltalk (Treemonisha), Young Emile (Champion), Figaro (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), and James Baldwin (The Tongue & The Lash). In 2024-25, he appears as Masetto (Don Giovanni), Jigger Craigin (Carousel), and Yusef Salaam (The Central Park Five). He joined UKOT for Sanctuary Road, singing the role of Henry “Box” Brown.
Praised as “a physical dynamo and a vocal delight” (Opera Today), Reed has starred as Parson Alltalk (Treemonisha), Young Emile (Champion), Figaro (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), and James Baldwin (The Tongue & The Lash). In 2024-25, he appears as Masetto (Don Giovanni), Jigger Craigin (Carousel), and Yusef Salaam (The Central Park Five). He joined UKOT for Sanctuary Road, singing the role of Henry “Box” Brown.
Markel Reed
Phillip Bullock returned to his alma mater fall of 2024 to join the cast of The Marriage of Figaro. Phillip has been singing all over the world since his graduation from UK. He has sung traditional operatic roles, and been part of several world premiere casts. It was a joy to have him with us in Lexington, singing alongside our students.
Phillip Bullock
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