Conroy Cupido

Prof Conroy Cupido completed a music degree at Stellenbosch University, a Master in Music degree and Artist Certificate at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and he was the first South African to complete a Doctorate degree in Vocal Performance which was conferred at the University of North Texas. While a member of Cape Town Opera’s Vocal Ensemble, Prof Cupido was recruited by American soprano and Professor of Voice, Barbara Hill Moore, to further his studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. During his studies abroad he was awarded the Sue Johnson Prize for Best Male Opera Singer and he was a finalist in the National Opera Association Voice Competition and the Shreveport Opera Singer of the Year Competition. He was awarded many merit-based scholarships for international study including the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Bursary, The National Arts Council of South Africa Award, the Schollmeier Foundation Bursary, the Dean’s Camerata Opera Scholarship from the University of North Texas, and The Bruce Foote Foundation Bursary. He has performed roles in operas and oratorios and has sung in many recitals in South Africa, the United States and in Europe. He has also been published in peer-reviewed journals. His research mainly concerns singing pedagogy, visual art and music collaboration, and singers’ wellbeing. He is an Associate Professor at North-West University and his students have won major competitions and continue to perform in South Africa, Europe and America. In 2013, Prof Cupido received an award from NWU for Excellence in Teaching, and in 2017 he received two awards for Excellence in creative outputs.