University of Southern Mississippi (USM) senior Justin E. Bell has been selected as Artistic Associate to the Glimmerglass Festival, an International Opera and Musical Theatre Festival, in Cooperstown, NY.

In this position, he will work closely with the Director of the Young Artists Program to communicate with artists, assist with the planning and execution of the Young Artists Program applications and auditions, and assist with the creation of the daily rehearsal schedule. He will receive training in all artistic department processes and procedures, assisting with essential tasks for this season’s eight productions.

“I am honored to work with the festival,” said Bell. “I am extremely thankful to all of his colleagues and sponsors of The Glimmerglass Festival for affording me this opportunity, as the arts world endures through unprecedented times.”

Bell, a double-major in vocal performance and choral music education at USM, has proven himself exceptional, handling a full college schedule while overseeing the production needs of The Denyce Graves Foundation, serving as Assistant Public Relations and Marketing Manager for Classical Singer Magazine/CS Music, producing Cooking with Denyce, and maintaining an active performance schedule. A multifaceted artist who uses his many passions and talents to bring a light in the world around him, Bell is a first-place winner in the NATS National Student Auditions, the young tenor has performed both nationally and internationally.

Glimmerglass is a professional non-profit summer opera company dedicated to producing new productions each season. The company continues its tradition of producing new, little-known and familiar operas and musical theater in innovative productions; providing professional training and performance opportunities for emerging artists and interns; engaging important artists who inspire the highest standards of achievement; inspiring dialogue around meaningful issues of the day through song and story; and collaborating with regional organizations, schools and businesses to enhance life in Central New York.

The company continues to attract an international audience to the scenic Cooperstown area, where the talent of singers, directors, designers and staff from around the world converges in the Alice Busch Opera Theater to produce world-class opera and music theater.

About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. Founded in 1910, USM is one of only 131 universities in the nation to earn the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education’s “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity” designation, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and large event venue safety and security, among others. USM is also one of only 37 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music. As an economic driver, USM generates an annual economic impact of more than $600 million across the state. USM welcomes a diverse student body of more than 14,000, representing 71 countries, all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. USM students have collected four Truman Scholarships and 37 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while also leading Mississippi with 27 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, USM competes in 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit usm.edu.