Finding a Home at Georgia State
ATLANTA—There’s a moment in every musician’s life when someone sees something in them before they fully see it themselves. For Flynn Allen, that moment happened during an opera competition in Atlanta — and it changed everything.
“I had originally wanted to go to graduate school outside of Georgia, having lived here my whole life,” Allen said. “I didn’t have anything concrete planned though.”
At the time, Allen had already crossed paths with Professor Talise Trevigne through a National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) masterclass and an earlier Opera Guild for Atlanta Competition appearance. But during the second Opera Guild for Atlanta competition of Allen’s senior year, the connection became something more meaningful.
“She saw my need and my drive to continue my study and asked if I wanted to come with her to Georgia State,” Allen said. “It was such a pivotal moment for me.”
That invitation launched what would become three transformative years at the Georgia State School of Music — first completing a Master of Music in Vocal Performance in 2025, then continuing immediately into an Artist Certificate program set to conclude in 2026.
“The past three years have been some of the most amazing of my life,” Allen said. “It is all because my teacher saw something in me and believed in me enough to do something about it.”
Growth on Stage and Beyond
As a vocalist, Allen found growth not only in performance opportunities, but also in confidence and artistic identity. That evolution came into focus during a March Artist Certificate recital that Allen describes as a true capstone moment.
“If you had told me even two years ago that I’d be performing a piece as difficult and intense as Jake Heggie’s At the Statue of Venus with a 10-piece orchestra, I wouldn’t have believed it,” Allen said. “I’ve come so far in my abilities every year that has passed.”
The recital became more than just another performance. It represented years of technical development, artistic risk-taking and collaboration with fellow musicians across the School of Music community.
“I was able to put together a program that I am so proud of and collaborated with so many amazing musicians,” Allen said. “It was such an amazing experience, and I’m so happy that I was able to share it with my friends and family as well.”
While graduate study brought artistic breakthroughs, it also demanded balance. Allen juggled coursework, rehearsals, outside work and a graduate assistantship — all while learning how to sustain a healthy personal life alongside demanding artistic goals.
“For me, graduate school was all about finding my work-life balance,” Allen said. “Things like consistent and quality sleep, my exercise routine and free time spent alone and with friends were pivotal to keeping my work hours productive and my attitude positive.”
That intentionality became essential during Allen’s time working in the School of Music’s Marketing & PR office under Kaylee Bramlett, an experience that provided professional skills outside the practice room.
“My experience at GSU embodied the school’s college-to-career goal,” Allen said. “The many new skills I learned in Kaylee’s office are ones I will take with me far into the future.”
Allen also spent the past year stepping into another new role: teacher. While completing the Artist Certificate, Allen simultaneously began teaching as an adjunct professor of voice at Georgia College & State University.
“Having my first year of teaching coincide with my last year of school was such a beautiful learning experience,” Allen said. “Being in an environment where I could directly transfer things I was learning and seeing into things I could pass on to my own students taught me so much.”
Building Community Through Opera
Outside the classroom and recital hall, Allen stayed deeply connected to musical communities both in Atlanta and beyond. They performed with the Parish Choir at All Saints’ Episcopal Church of Atlanta and participated in several young artist programs including Chicago Summer Opera, Harrower Summer Opera and Music On Site. Those experiences brought performances in productions such as The Consul, The Crucible and Le Nozze di Figaro, while also introducing Allen to artists and collaborators from across the country.
“The opportunity to travel the country as well as be surrounded by so many different amazing artists both made me a better musician and inspired me to continue to work hard,” Allen said.
At the center of Allen’s experience at Georgia State was the sense of support found within the vocal program itself.
“My favorite part about the vocal cohort at GSU is how we all support each other,” Allen said. “No matter who gets what role or opportunity, we all are genuinely happy and excited and want to see each other improve.”
That sense of community became especially meaningful as Allen navigated life and performance as a nonbinary vocalist using they/them pronouns within the traditionally gendered world of opera.
“One of my favorite things about performing and teaching is directly related to my personal identity,” Allen said. “I present pretty androgynously most days, but I still am singing professionally as a soprano and playing feminine roles.”
Allen hopes that visibility continues to create space for younger musicians searching for representation within classical music.
“I have been extremely touched as a professor by students who have expressed their joy and excitement at having a trans teacher,” Allen said.
“My greatest hope is to continue to increase trans visibility and acceptance in music, especially in such a traditional field as opera.”
Now preparing to leave Georgia State as a double Panther graduate, Allen says the future feels exciting — and possible.
“I’m excited to enter the world feeling prepared and knowing that I have the tools I need to continue to grow and confidently go out to auditions,” Allen said. “Most of all, I’m excited to continue to meet and be inspired by talented, hard-working and passionate people.”