"Live, Experience, Fall, & Get Back up Repeatedly!" - Chatting w/ the incomparable Rocky Sellers!

It is my great joy to introduce you to Rocky Sellers. Rocky is a Bass-Baritone Opera Singer who recently made his Principal debut at The Metropolitan Opera in Fire Shut Up in My Bones and will be returning to the Historic Opera in Chicago this April at The Lyric Opera of Chicago covering the role of Adult Robert. After that Rocky will be heading to Opera Memphis to sing the role of Don Alfonso in Cosi Fan Tutte. Rocky has sung with the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Portland Opera, Sarasota Opera, Opera Saratoga, Opera on the James, Pacific Opera Project, Opera Naples, Japan Society of New York, among many others.

Having the honor of sharing the stage with this amazing Singer I can strongly attest that Rocky is truly someone who makes every production better with his amazing voice and beautiful energy on and off the stage. I am so happy to finally have the chance to feature Rocky in my series!

How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a performer?

I was 17. I was a band geek growing up until one day I decided that I wanted to join my High School Choir. Of course, I was one of those kids that wanted to do and be in everything. I just knew I was the next India Arie and Kenny G. My best friend, to this day, was the one that encouraged me to take voice lessons with her teacher and the rest is history.

Where did you study? Do you have any mentors that truly help make you the amazing performer you are today?
I completed my Bachelor's Degree at the University of Tennessee and some post-graduate work at the Manhattan School of Music. All of my voice teachers, especially my current ones, Brian Montgomery and Mark Oswald. They both push me to be the better version of myself every day. It is very magical and scary to let a person see you fall flat on your face multiple times and still have the courage to want to better yourself and keep moving forward. Also, I cannot forget Simon Estes, Mark Rucker, and Philip Lima because VISIBILITY and REPRESENTATION IS EVERYTHING! I could not even imagine myself being an opera singer without seeing people that look like me!

Congratulations on making your principal debut at The Metropolitan Opera in Fire Shut Up in Your Bones. What did that moment mean to you and how does it feel to be returning to the Opera at The Lyric Opera of Chicago?

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am still awestruck that I made my principal debut unexpectedly! It was EVERYTHING and more! It was amazing! I can't begin to describe the amount of joy I felt singing on the stage that so many greats got to sing on! My God! It was truly amazing and breathtaking! Making my debut gave me a sense of pride and accomplishment. It also means that now I can be the representation for some boy, girl, or non-binary person that needs to see themselves on that iconic stage.

Fire Shut Up in My Bones will always have a special place in my heart! It was Blackity, Black, Black, black, and I live for it! In the words of Issa Rae, "I'm rooting for everyone black" It was amazing to be on stage with people who look like me and share similar stories as me to present this masterpiece, full of culture, to an audience that has little to no exposure to it. Can we just acknowledge that there was stepping on the MET stage? WOW! Also, the vulnerability in Charles Blow's story is simply breathtaking. We all have experienced the things that Charles has been through or know someone who has and it is great to be a part of a team who can tell that story without being told to tell the story. Our ancestors' wildest dreams are being brought to life and I am still in shock that it has happened. Also, let us not forget that Terrance Blanchard is responsible for so many debuts of up-and-coming black stars! Eight to be exact! Thank you, Uncle Blanchard!
I am very excited to be making my principal debut at Lyric Opera of Chicago as the cover of Adult Robert. It is even more exciting covering a role that I already know and performed! I cannot wait to get to work with everyone again and meet some new colleagues to bring this phenomenal work back on its feet!

Are there any roles, shows, or performances you have done in your career that stick out and will always be near and dear to you?

Porgy and Bess and Stonewall by Iain Bell. These two operas were the first operas where I was able to be myself, black and queer. In Stonewall, I felt truly free and comfortable to tell a story, in drag, This was something so unimaginable as I was growing up that I didn’t even know was possible. In regards to Porgy and Bess, it’s the only time where I could just truly laugh, experience a deep sense of community, and make music with people who look like me. Fun fact, the MET's 2019 production was my first Porgy and Bess.

What advice would you give any young aspiring artist?

Young singers/All singers, do not be afraid to live, to experience, to fall and get back up repeatedly (you are human), to trust that you are enough, and to let go. I truly believe that’s what meant for you shall not pass you. The first four aforementioned tips are self-explanatory. But the last, oh baby, is the hardest! Letting go! To be honest, this one is the hardest for me and I am still working on it! Thoughts such as: what if I could have sung that better, was I good enough, did they like me, did I spin that high note fast enough, should I have acted more, sang something that shows me differently, or stayed with one fach in my package races through my head a lot. I deal with them in different ways. Sometimes it is as easy as saying "Let it go" and following it up with a rendition of "Frozen".

They say laughter is the best cure. Other times, Exercise, therapy, movie nights, finding a network (friends, colleagues, mentors) that can lend an ear and/or provide sound advice, or the good old fashion trick, Haagen Dazs can prove to be very helpful. Also, It’s ok to be ok with presenting what makes you feel free and bring you joy. Always remind yourself, there's only one you so, SHINE!

Fire Shut Up in My Bones opens on March 24th and runs until April 8th at The Lyric Opera of Chicago. For more information please visit - https://www.lyricopera.org; and to learn more about Rocky make sure you visit - https://www.facebook.com/RockyEugenioBass