Julie Olsson, soprano, originally from Ledyard, CT, began her professional career at the age of 17, performing the role of Mrs. Hopkins in the American Musical Theater production of My Fair Lady.  She went on to receive a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY, under the tutelage of Patrice Pastore.  While in New York, Ms. Olsson enjoyed many performing opportunities, including the roles of First Lady in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, and Marchellina in Le Nozze di Figaro.  She also won honors at both district and regional NATS competitions.  After moving on to study voice with Barbara Honn at the International Institute of Vocal Arts and Ms. Honn’s private studio, Ms. Olsson began her graduate degree studies in Vocal Performance at the University of Missouri—Kansas City, with Dr. Anne DeLauney.  At UMKC, Ms. Olsson sang the roles of Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus and Suor Angelica in Puccini’s Suor Angelica.  While in the Mid-west, she was actively sought out to perform with many citywide choirs and ensembles including the Kansas City Lyric Opera.  At the Lyric, she sang and acted in their productions of Carmen, La Bohème, The Ballad of Baby Doe, and the world premiere performance of Coyote Tales, by Henry Mollicone and Sheldon Harnick, which was recorded and released on CD for the Newport Classics label.  Upon returning to the East Coast, Julie embarked on a well-received career in jazz and blues/rock.  Never wanting to stray to far from her roots in musical theater, she kept her feet wet by joining the Salt Marsh Opera Company for their productions of Madama Butterfly and Tosca.  Ms. Olsson’s most recent endeavors include:  a G&S production of H.M.S. Pinafore at the Main Street Arts in Saxons River, VT; Don Giovanni with the Keene, NH based Raylynmor Opera company; and relocating to Southern Vermont with her new husband (and best friend from college), Ken Olsson and their beautiful and talented three children.  Recently, Ms. Olsson and her husband directed The Mystery of Edwin Drood for Main Street Arts and appeared in “My Favorite Broadway” at the Jamaica Town Hall.  Ms. Olsson sang the role of Katisha in The Mikado for Raylynmor Opera.  She has also been featured in several concerts, with her husband as accompanist/conductor, for the Friends of Music at Guilford (FOMAG).  She was a featured soloist for the FOMAG Festival Orchestra’s performance on Labor Day, where Ms. Olsson sang selections in celebration of Giuseppe Verdi’s and Richard Wagner’s 200th Anniversaries.   Julie will be attending the Winter Intensive Workshop at OperaWorks in Los Angeles in January.