The district is excited to be hosting acclaimed opera singer Lester Lynch today, January 9, and Wednesday, January 10, at both McKinley High School and the Arts Academy @ Summit. Today he worked specifically with solo and ensemble students as well as the whole choral program on technique, performance presence and career opportunities in performance. An accomplished concert artist, Mr. Lynch is an Eyria, Ohio, native and a graduate of Baldwin Wallace where he met McKinley Choir Director Stephen Popa. He has performed a wide and varied repertoire with orchestras across the world, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, the National Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, and the American Symphony Orchestra. His recent Carnegie Hall solo debut of Karl A. Hartmann’s Gesangsszene with the American Symphony Orchestra received rave reviews. Mr. Lynch has received many distinguished awards, including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, the George London Vocal Competition, and the Sullivan Awards. His work with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis earned him the Richard Gaddes Award. His recent volunteer work includes two engagements with the Harare International Festival of Art in Zimbabwe in 2012 and 2013 where he produced a night of arias and ensembles with a group of his colleagues.