“A song recital by the luminous American mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke is always an event…”
Opera News
Vocal Arts DC presents
Masterclass and Panel with
Sasha Cooke, mezzo-soprano
Monday, Nov 3, 2025
Geroge Washington University
12:00PM and 2:00 PM
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Panel Discussion
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Masterclass
Join us for an afternoon of song as internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke leads an intimate masterclass. Known for her “rich, blooming tone and compelling stage presence” (The New York Times), Cooke brings her extensive experience from the world’s most prestigious opera houses and concert halls to work directly with the next generation of singers.
This engaging conversation will explore the program Of Thee I Sing as well as our exciting new commission, American Lament, which has been funded through our New Works Fund. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain deeper insight into these works and hear directly from these distinguished artists about their creative process and vision.
For the masterclass, we are thrilled to be joined by four singers from the Denyce Graves Foundation. The Denyce Graves Foundation bridges the past to future by honoring overlooked musical voices and empowering the next generation of world-class artists.
As a nonprofit organization anchored at the intersection of social justice, American history, and the arts, DGF seeks to expand the public’s understanding of the rich, multicultural history of classical music by bringing the stories of our nation’s hidden musical figures to light.
MEET THE SASHA COOKE MASTERCLASS PARTICIPANTS
TAYLOR HILLARY BOYKINS, MEZZO-SOPRANO
Taylor Hillary Boykins is an American mezzo soprano known for her melodic style, delicate phrasing, and powerful voice.
MORE ABOUT TAYLOR!
Playful yet eloquent, she maintains a robust performance schedule in the DMV area.
She has collaborated with a wide range of ensembles, opera companies, and orchestras including: Third Practice, Maryland Choral Society, Gonzaga University, Mind on Fire, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Symphony, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Northern-Neck Orchestra, Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, Annapolis Opera, Opera Baltimore, Maryland Opera, Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, Pitch Craft Collective, Dualis, the late Concert Artists of Baltimore, and more.
Taylor earned her MM from the Peabody Conservatory under the mentorship Denyce Graves, and her BM from Oakland University in Michigan studying with contralto, Nadine Washington.
AUBREY MAREN COLE, SOPRANO
Aubrey Maren Cole, an emerging soprano from Arizona, began performing at the age of five in church choirs and musicals, a passion that led her to pursue classical voice in college.
MORE ABOUT AUBREY!
ÖZNUR (OZ) TÜLÜOĞLU, SOPRANO
Praised for her “ravishing voice” and “compelling” stage presence [San Diego Story], Turkish-American soprano Öznur Tülüoğlu, (Oz) is establishing herself as a young, rising artist “destined for bigger things,” [San Diego Tribune].
MORE ABOUT ÖZNUR (OZ)!
Oz is a graduate of the University of Maryland, Maryland Opera Studio with her Master of Music in opera performance where she studied under the tutelage of Gran Wilson. Notable engagements she performed with the opera studio includes Mrs. Coyle in Britten’s Owen Wingrave alongside the National Orchestral Institute, and Arminda in Mozart’s La Finta Giardiniera. She also premiered the role of Woman 1 in the new work Four Freedoms by Joseph C. Phillips during her time at MOS.
Oz has achieved recognition as a finalist in the esteemed competitions; Jensen Foundation Competition, Opera Mississippi John Alexander National Vocal Competition and Music International Grand Prix competition. In 2022, she won 3rd place at the AIMS in Graz Vocal Competition. Recently, she was awarded the encouragement award from The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition Colorado-Wyoming district.
As a Maryland local, Öznur makes appearances around the DMV area performing in various settings. She has appeared with The Little Patuxent Opera Institute to perform the role of Adina in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore.
Oz earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance at the New England Conservatory where she made her operatic debut as Damigella in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea.
Her enthusiasm for score study expands to music theory, as Oz worked with published musicologist, Deborah Stein, in completing a minor in music theory with a focus on Schubert Lieder during her studies at NEC.
JIM WILLIAMS, BASS
From the Kennedy Center to the hills of Italy, bass Jim Williams has established himself as a notable presence in the classical music world, his warm, resonant voice connecting with audiences across continents.
MORE ABOUT JIM!
His path from Oakwood University graduate to professional performer reflects the dedication required to build a career in opera.
At Oakwood University, Williams’ vocal abilities earned him not just a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy, but also a place in the Grammy-nominated Aeolians. As part of this respected choral ensemble, he performed alongside celebrated artists like Kathleen Battle, Take 6, and Richard Smallwood, gaining valuable experience on both national and international stages.
His time with the Washington National Opera Chorus proved significant, performing at the Kennedy Center in productions of “Faust,” “Tosca,” and “Otello.” This experience with professional opera at a high level helped shape his development as an artist.
Williams’ repertoire shows his adaptability across classical genres. He’s performed roles such as Sarastro and the Second Armored Man in “Die Zauberflöte,” while contributing to Maryland Lyric Opera’s productions of “Cavalleria Rusticana,” “Thaïs,” and “Turandot.” In musical theater, he brought personality to roles like the Sergeant of Police in Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Pirates of Penzance” and Sky Masterson in “Guys and Dolls” with Live Arts Maryland.
In Italy, Williams continued his artistic growth through the Bel Canto in Tuscany program, working with accomplished coaches and performing as a soloist with orchestra in Greve and Radda. 2023 brought his international debut in Scott Joplin’s “Treemonisha,” where he covered three roles in the production.
These performances are external rentals presented in coordination with the Kennedy Center Campus Rentals Office and are not produced by the Kennedy Center.