While majoring in music and arts administration at Whitworth, Jonelyn won the district audition of the Metropolitan Opera National Council and received the Most Talented Young Singer Award. After graduating, she earned a master’s degree in vocal performance at the New England Conservatory of Music, and she is now a professional opera singer who has performed with the Boston Lyric Opera, the Virtuosi Orchestra, and the Intermezzo Opera.

“When I visited campus, I sat in on a Whitworth Choir rehearsal and was very impressed,” Jonelyn says. “I was also attracted to Whitworth’s liberal arts education. I didn’t know what I wanted to major in as a freshman, and the small class sizes along with a broad range of exploratory course offerings were reassuring.

“Music majors need a lot of encouragement and individual attention. Each Whitworth music faculty member I worked with, whether in a lesson, choir rehearsal or orchestration class, took time with me and invested in my musicianship. I am a better artist, musician and person because of the Whitworth music faculty.”