For success in the field of classical singing, emerging artists often hurdle through a pipeline of traditional residencies and young artists programs. These programs, however, are costly, exclusive, and enact strict age limits, emphasizing tradition over creativity, and keeping out those most deeply impacted by the structural inequities in classical music. The Patricia Ellen Vocal Artist Residency seeks to restructure this model, prioritizing a model of whole-artist development. Designed for non-managed artists, the Patricia Ellen Singing Artist Residency is focused on classically-trained and multi-genre singers (age 25 - 65+) who have not yet landed  major performance contracts as solo artists. 

The inaugural resident artist, Jay Saint Flono, will present two recitals integrating multicultural folklore and a concert-version of an original Sankopera. 

Jay St. Flono (sopranist) is a classical singer, actor, librettist and author from Brooklyn, New York. Having performed in both avant-garde and traditional productions, Jay has worked with artists such as Bill T. Jones in “Deep Blue Sea” (2021) and has appeared with NYC Opera, the Unsung Collective at Lincoln Center and in concert as a soloist with the Grace Chorale of Brooklyn and SugarHill Salon. Jay was a 2019-2021 Librettist Fellow with Composers and the Voice (AOP) where they completed the libretto, Spirit in the Vine.