Reginald Smith Jr., a 2012 graduate of the University of Kentucky, is one of five winners of the final round of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.
The Lexington Herald Leader reports Smith came to UK in 2007 from Atlanta on a full-tuition scholarship. After graduating in 2012, Smith joined Houston Grand Opera's studio program, performing in numerous Houston Grand Opera productions.
Arts reporter Rich Copley says Smith was well received in Lexington almost immediately.
“His freshman year, he was in the Lexington Philharmonic’s presentation of the Messiah," said Copley. "So he got really well-known very quickly.”
Five winners were picked from nine contestants in the final round of the 2014-15 Met auditions. Smith and the other winners each won $15,000.
The 26 year old Atlanta native will return to Lexington in December to perform in the annual presentation of the Messiah at Christ Church Cathedral.
