Former Paralegal Finds Her Voice
Rose Mannino
Voice Instructor/Opera Singer/Concert Soloist
A.A., 2000 / A.S., 2005
For Rose Mannino, Palm Beach State College provided multiple career options and developed her love of music – both performing and learning about it.
“Music was always a major part of my life,” said Mannino. “I had taken piano lessons and sung in church growing up, and I felt that I wanted to pursue music in college. Although my father was very supportive and encouraging of my musical interests, he wanted me to be more practical and pursue a degree in something more secure.”
Mannino, who is currently a lecturer of voice at Mississippi State University and a part-time instructor of voice at the University of Alabama, followed her father’s advice and completed an Associate in Science degree in paralegal studies at PBSC.
However, Mannino didn’t give up on her love of music and auditioned for the music program while at PBSC, hoping to pursue an Associate in Arts with a concentration in music. Not only did Mannino get into the program, she was awarded a scholarship and started taking classes, where she immediately felt at home.
“I excelled as a voice student and loved being a part of the ensembles,” she said. “I especially loved being a member of Troubadours, the vocal jazz ensemble. I made life-long friends in that group of singers and learned so much about performing. I also learned about my love for classical music and opera from singing as a soloist and as a member of the chamber choir.”
After PBSC, Mannino worked as a paralegal for five years. She says working as a paralegal was challenging and rewarding, but everything always came back to music. She decided to go back to school to pursue a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance at Florida Atlantic University.
“I truly feel that my experience at PBSC played a big part in my decision to change course and pursue a four-year degree in voice,” she said.
Mannino earned the bachelor’s degree from FAU, and went on to complete a Master of Music degree from Louisiana State University, and a Specialist Degree in Voice from the University of Michigan. She plans to complete a Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice in the near future.
Mannino has performed many opera roles in the United States and abroad with LSU Opera, La Musica Lirica Young Artist Program in Italy, Natchez Opera, Festival South, Opera Louisiane and the University of Michigan. She also has sung oratorio and concert repertoire with the University of Michigan Orpheus Singers, the University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra and Choirs, FAU Chamber Singers and Delray Beach Chorale, LSU Symphonic Winds, and most recently, Starkville Symphony.
Mannino currently lives in Starkville, Miss. with her husband and fellow singer, Matt Daniels, who also works at Mississippi State as an assistant professor of voice.
Watch Rose Mannino perform here!