JoAna Rusche is an American mezzo-soprano, educator, and certified Alexander Technique Instructor. Known for her stylistic versatility and collaborative artistry, she performs a wide range of operatic and concert repertoire.

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She is an alumna of the Academy of Vocal Arts, where her roles included Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Fiora (L’amore dei tre re), Tamara (The Demon), and the Second Lady (Die Zauberflöte). With Opera North, Dr. Rusche sang the title role in La Cenerentola, earning praise as an “effervescent Cinderella” and for navigating “Rossini’s florid lines with flair and warmth” (Rutland Herald). As a young artist with Palm Beach Opera, she premiered the role of Sheva Haddas in the world premiere of Enemies, A Love Story and covered Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia. She also spent three summers with Teatro Nuovo, appearing as Soeur Mathilde in Dialogues des Carmélites.

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Her concert work includes appearances as alto soloist in Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with the Messiah Festival of the Arts, along with performances with the Conway Symphony Orchestra, Arkansas Choral Society, and Little Rock Wind Symphony. A two-time District Winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Rusche has also earned top prizes in the Heafner-Williams Vocal Competition and Birmingham Opera Competition.

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Dr. Rusche holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice from the University of Michigan, a Master of Music in Voice from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a Bachelor of Music in Voice and Piano Performance from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She currently serves as Assistant Professor of Voice at the University of Central Arkansas.