Kinston woman is opera star
Jill Elizabeth Broadway of Elkton, Md., is a full lyric soprano who got her start in Kinston.
While attending Kinston High School, she starred in numerous plays in Kinston under the direction of Kenneth Ginn and the late Oran Perry. She since has starred in such operas as “Suor Genovieffa,” “Le Nozze di Figaro,” “Die Zauberflote,” “Street Scenes” and Opera Seabrook’s “Carmen.” In August 2012, she played the female lead of Desdemona in Giuseppe Verdi’s “Otello,” based on the play “Othello” by Shakespeare. She starred with Richard Nicosia, a spinto tenor who played the role of Otello.
Broadway holds a Bachelor of Science degree in music from ECU and a master’s degree in vocal performance from the University of Delaware.
The full lyric soprano has studied under the instruction of Robert McFarlane, international dramatic baritone. At the close of “Otello,” she was invited to go to New York to audition for another opera.
In Elkton, Md., she teaches opera at the Christina Cultural Arts Center, and teaches private lessons in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She also sings with the Opus 1 Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Trinity Episcopal Church and other churches as her time permits.
Broadway is the daughter of Murrell and Joan Rice Broadway of Kinston, and is the granddaughter of the late Rev. and Mrs. Clifton Taylor Rice and the late Mr. and Mrs. William D. Broadway, all of whom lived in Kinston.
AARP gets Woodmen update
Donald Joyner is working at the Woodmen Community Center in the new membership area. He informed the AARP chapter recently about many of the features of the facility and a breakdown of membership cost.
The Center has a variety of exercise equipment, two basketball courts, a walking track and other areas. He also talked about the Water Park area with its two swimming pools, two big slides, lazy river and other features. For members, use of the Water Park is free.
For more information about the Woodmen Center, call Joyner at 252-939-1330. For AARP information, call Gene Rybolt, chapter coordinator, at 252-523-0988.