Katerina Burton

Katerina Burton had her pick of esteemed music conservatories to attend for college. But after visiting Towson, it was no contest.

The sweet-faced soprano chose to be a Tiger because TU offered abundant performance opportunities that she felt weren’t available at other schools.

“Everyone gets a shot,” says the Worcester County, Md. native.

For Burton, that shot has meant prominent roles in such operas as The Magic Flute and Suor Angelica.

The vocal performance major also appreciates the depth of expertise within Towson’s music department, pointing to the experience and connections that her professors bring to their instruction. Add a challenging curriculum with required courses in theory, musicianship and music history, and you get, according to Burton, “everything you need to prepare you for what’s to come as a musician.”

And Burton’s future as a musician looks (sounds?) bright.

She was chosen as an Encouragement Award winner in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions for the 2015 Mid-Atlantic region, one of the most prestigious competitions in the world of classical voice. Burton also was selected as an alternate to perform in a master class series at Carnegie Hall, “The Song Continues,” with artists Marilyn Horne, Stephanie Blythe and Sir Thomas Allen.

“ In every classroom I’ve ever sat in and in every cast I’ve ever been in, there’s always a sense that everybody’s there for each other. ”

Currently exploring graduate programs and planning for a professional career, the vocalist will always cherish the atmosphere she found at Towson.

“In every classroom I’ve ever sat in and in every cast I’ve ever been in, there’s always a sense that everybody’s there for each other,” says Burton about her school.

“Everybody’s there for the same thing, and there’s a great deal of support going out from one person to another.”