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Afton Markay

Credit: Andrew Potter

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Music Lessons

Testimonials

"I met Afton several years ago while we were both working in our local 2SLGBTQIA+ community and quickly realized we shared a passion for not just community, but also for creating greater access and intersectionalism in opera and the arts. Afton is a rare blend of artist, advocate, and activist. She is skilled and experienced in her work, but also humble, hard-working, and genuinely kind." - C. Assistant Director of Opera Camp

Afton Markay is

A multidisciplinary music educator and opera journalist with expertise in early childhood education, vocal pedagogy, and minority advocacy. Afton's specialties bridge music and speech science in order to advance vocal health and literacy.

Published works include “New Study Finds Gender Inequality & Non-Standard Work in US Opera Production,” “Trans, Non-binary, & Gender Diverse Opera & Classical Music Professionals Directory’ Launches on Trans Day of Visibility," “Q & A: Advocating For Women On and Off Stage With Rebecca Krynski Cox & Maria Todaro," & "Character, Service, and Moral Purpose in Communication Sciences and Disorders Students." She frequently co-hosts the OperaWire podcast.

Afton holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music with a Professional Performance Certificate in Vocal Performance and a minor in Arts Administration from Meredith College. She studied voice with Lisbeth Brittain Carter and Dr. Rachel Copeland, piano with Tom Lohr, and collaborative piano with Dr. Kent Lyman. She is a licensed Kindermusik instructor. In 2024, Afton was nominated for the Best Music Teacher in Western North Carolina.

She expanded her scope of study by completing a post-baccalaureate program in Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences at the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire (2025). Currently, she is working towards a Certificate in Deafblind and Intervenor Studies at George Brown Polytechnic in Toronto (2027).

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