UNM Alum wins the Metropolitan Opera Competition
Department Chair and Voice Faculty member Michael Hix commented “We are so proud of Lydia. From her very first semester at UNM, we knew she was destined for success. While she possessed natural talent, it was her work ethic, intellectual curiosity, and drive that really made her shine. It was such a pleasure watching her grow while at UNM. I remember her UNM Opera Theatre performances from her early years as a singer so fondly. We know that the Dept. of Music provides a top notch musical education and amazing faculty mentors. Lydia’s success is just another example of the results of this education and mentorship.”
While at UNM Grindatto studied with Professor Leslie Umphrey and Dr. Kristin Ditlow. After graduating she continued her studies with Dr. Kristin Ditlow and Dr. Olga Perez Flora. She is currently completing her Artist Diploma at the prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. While a young artist at the Santa Fe Opera in Summer 2023 she made her mainstage debut as the 2nd Wood Sprite in Dvorak’s opera Rusalka. Her 23-24 performances include Donna Anna in Mozart’s Don Giovanni with Arizona Opera, Tatiana in Tchiakovsky’s Eugene Onegin with Opera Columbus, and the title role in Donizetti’s Anna Bolena at Academy of Vocal Arts.
Principal Art Lecturer, Jessamyn Lovell, Featured in LENSSCRATCH
Jessamyn Lovell is a gender-fluid artist and licensed private investigator based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They hold a BFA from Rochester Institute of Technology, an MFA from California College of the Arts, and are currently a Principal Lecturer at the University of New Mexico.
Why future film students choose UNM Film and Digital Arts
Moviemaker Magazine ranked Albuquerque among the top five large cities as the best place to live and work for filmmakers for the eighth consecutive year in 2026. Moviemaker Magazine is a leading industry publication. The announcement came after recognizing and...
Art History Professor, Ray Hernández-Durán, Named Regents’ Professor
Ray Hernández-Durán, professor of art history in UNM’s Department of Art & Art History in the College of Fine Arts, has been named a Regents’ Professor, a distinguished and lifelong honor recognizing senior faculty members who demonstrate excellence in teaching, research, and community impact. The title is awarded following a rigorous review process led by the College Dean in collaboration with the Provost’s Office and includes a three-year stipend to support the recipient’s work.




