Eric Ferring, tenor and 2014 Drake alumnus, was recently accepted as a an artist in the Ensemble of the Ryan Opera Center with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Eric, a former student of Leanne Freeman-Miller and a 2014 Drake graduate with a degree in vocal performance, is the first Drake music alumnus accepted into this internationally renowned professional company.

This summer he was an apprentice artist with the Sante Fe Opera, the top summer apprenticeship program in the United States. Also, for the past two years, he has been a full-time resident artist at Pittsburgh Opera.

During his time at Drake, Eric was a member of the Drake Choir under the direction of Aimee Beckmann-Collier, professor of conducting, and starred in several roles with the Drake Opera Theater, led by Ann Cravero, associate professor of music.

Eric is the first singer from Drake, since Sherrill Milnes, who is on his way to having a professional operatic career. His success is a reflection of Drake’s excellent voice/opera program.

—Leanne Freeman-Miller, Department of Music