Christopher Allen Oglesby graduated from Lee in 2012 with Bachelor of Music degrees in vocal performance, choral education, and band education. He is currently a second year Adler Fellow with the San Francisco Opera, a multi-year performance-oriented residency that offers advanced artists intensive individual training, coaching, and professional seminars, as well as a wide range of performance opportunities. Oglesby credits a large part of his success to James Frost, Lee’s opera director, and Tony Deaton, associate professor of voice. “Tony gave me the tools I needed for vocal success and longevity and Jimmy nurtured in me a love for opera and its community,” he said. “When I came to Lee I had never seen nor heard an opera and was peer-pressured into joining the chorus for Floyd’s Susanna by some senior students. It changed what I thought music could be.”

Abigail Blackmon Grauberger graduated with a degree in music education with a vocal emphasis in 2016. She is currently an elementary music teacher at Chestnut Grove Elementary School in Decatur, Alabama, and is earning her masters in music education through Lee University. “Lee prepared me to be adaptable and compassionate, especially as a music educator,” said Abigail. “Being in Lee’s music education program helped me understand what being a life-long learner means and the impact I can have on my students through the joy of music. I grateful for my amazing mentors for always being there to help shape and mold me so I can be the best for my current students.”