Voice Central

A native of Laurel, MS, Dr. Katrina L. Cox earned her Bachelor of Music degree at William Carey University (WCU) in vocal performance, a Master of Music degree in performance from State University of New York-Binghamton (Binghamton University) with a specialization in opera, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in vocal performance from The University of Southern Mississippi (USM). During her undergraduate studies at William Carey Univerisity, Dr. Cox studied with renowned instructor, Dr. Connie Roberts, and performed extensively with the sought-after ensembles, Carpenter’s Wood and the Chorale. She won the coveted Jenkins-Chastain Award, the highest honor given to a WCU student, served as president of the fraternity, Delta Omicron, and starred in the productions The Boor (Maid) and Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Mother). Dr. Cox won state and regional divisions at the esteemed National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Competition. 

At the State University of New York-Binghamton, Dr. Cox received the prestigious Clark Fellowship where she studied with renowned soprano,  Mary Burgess. While in New York, she performed in multiple productions with Tri-Cities Opera and sang with ensembles such as Harpur Jazz and the Big Band Jazz Ensemble. She also participated in various masterclasses given by world-class artists such as comprimario tenor Nico Castel. 

She continued her post-degree vocal studies with Marchesi specialist, Mary Lou Muratori in Binghamton New York, and was selected to the highly coveted Opera North Program in New Hampshire. There, she performed as Frau Fluth in Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor sang in a masterclass with Metropolitan Opera singer Claudia Waite, and performed in the chorus of Turandot and Falstaff.  Continuing as a professional oratorio and recital singer, she established a local jazz band, “The New Standard,” which performed in throughout New York’s Southern Tier. 

In 2012, Dr. Cox returned to Laurel, MS to work for Laurel School District as an elementary music teacher and high school choral director from 2013-2018. In 2015, she was a featured artist at the Delta Omicron International Conference in Chicago, IL.  

Among her many roles, in 2019 she played the roles of Muzzy van Hossmere in WCU’s production of Thoroughly Modern Millie and Shug in The Color Purple with Meridian Community College in 2019. Also in 2019, Katrina began her doctoral studies in vocal performance at The University of Southern Mississippi where she studied under the tutelage of soprano Dr. Kimberley Davis. She has performed with the Southern Opera and Music Theatre as the title roles Carmen and Octavian from Der Rosenkavalier in opera scenes and Dame Doleful in the English Comic Opera, Too Many Sopranos. She has been featured as a jazz vocalist for the Partners for the Arts Gala 2019-2020 and the Mississippi Opera Fundraising Gala in 2021. Katrina has been a featured artist for the Natchez Festival of Music and Festival South. She recently appeared in WCU’s production of Suor Angelica as the Principessa, she was also a featured vocalist in the Miss Hospitality Mississippi Pageant 2022- 2023. Dr. Cox made her directing debut at WCU in 2022 with Stephen Schwartz's Broadway hit, Pippin (2022). Audiences were just as eager for her direction of the thriller, Jekyll and Hyde (2023). Dr. Cox has been honored to be the featured vocalist for William Dawson expert, Dr. Mark Malone's lecture series on the "Life and Works of William Dawson.”  Dr. Cox is a highly sought-after teacher for her ability to cross-train students in multiple genres. In her own right, she is a multi-genre singer who is in demand throughout the Southeastern Region.

Dr.Katrina Cox is Assistant Professor of Music at William Carey University where she teaches voice-related studies, musical theatre, and directs the longest-standing ensemble at the Winters School of Music, Carpenter’s Wood. After a short hiatus due to COVID-19, Dr. Cox re-established missions for the group. The ensemble traveled to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic for a week-long mission trip where Dr. Cox  led masterclasses, professors' mentorships, and WCU recruitment.