Alexis D. Benson

Lyric tenor Alexis D. Benson is a native of Brooklyn, N.Y. He is currently a master’s candidate at Shenandoah Conservatory, where he is concentrating his studies in opera. He is the past pupil of renowned tenor and professor emeritus Jackson Sheats. Currently he studies voice with Associate Professor of Music Michael Forest and coaches privately with Rebecca and Stafford Turner. He has participated in masterclasses with Russell Braun, Thomas Barrett and Verena Rein. He was a participant in the Wintergreen Summer Music Festival, Shenandoah Performs Music Festival, Centro Studi Lirico in Bologna and has performed as a member the Belcantanti Opera Company. In addition to his studies, Alexis has performed as Jacquino in “Fidelio,” Prunier in “La Rondine,” Captain Corcoran in “HMS Pinafore,” King Kasper in “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” Monostatos in “Die Zauberflöte” and Dr. Blind in “Die Fledermaus” with the Loudon Lyric Opera. He has been a tenor soloist for Handel’s “Messiah,” Mozart’s “Mass in C minor,” “Coronation Mass” and “Requiem.” Alexis attends Stephens City United Methodist Church where, since 2002, has served as tenor section leader. At Shenandoah University, Alexis is an active accompanist and a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity. He is the past recipient of the Jackson H. Sheats Endowed Scholarship of Music. Alexis is serving as head counselor and professor of voice at the 2008 Shenandoah Performing Arts Camp.