Dr. Cherisse Williams is an accomplished soprano, educator, entrepreneur, and creative artist who bridges the worlds of artistry and industry. A Brooklyn, New York native, she holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice Performance and an M.B.A. in Music Business from the University of North Texas, a Master of Music in Voice Performance from Ithaca College, a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Westminster Choir College of Rider University, and a Professional Studies Certificate in Opera from the Manhattan School of Music. 

In Fall 2025, Dr. Williams joined the University of South Carolina School of Music as an Assistant Professor of Music Industry Studies, where she teaches students how to merge artistic excellence with entrepreneurial savvy to thrive in today’s competitive music industry. Her research and teaching focus on music business education, personal branding, strategic marketing, and career development, empowering students to build sustainable, multifaceted careers in music.

As a professional opera singer, Dr. Williams has performed leading roles across the country. Notable performances include the title role of Cendrillon (Marie) with Opera Arlington, Manuelita (Pépito) with The Dallas Opera’s Educational Outreach, Micaëla (Carmen) and Adina (L’elisir d’amore) with UNT Opera, Queen of the Night (The Magic Flute) and Gretel (Hansel and Gretel) with Once Upon an Opera, and Nannetta (Falstaff) with the Midwest Institute of Opera. Her Manhattan School of Music credits include the Princess (L’enfant et les Sortilèges) and Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro) in "A World Made Real: Five Stories of Women in Pursuit of Dreams." She also premiered the role of Sally Hemings in Dana Wilson’s The Wolf by the Ears. A prize-winning artist, she was a winner of the William Gammon Henry Concerto Competition and the first-prize winner at the NATS-CNYFL competition. She currently sings with the prestigious New York Philharmonic Chorus.

Beyond the stage, Dr. Williams brings expertise in development, alumni relations, and arts education. While at the UNT College of Music’s Office of Development, she helped design and launch the College’s inaugural stewardship program, significantly increasing alumni engagement and fundraising success. She also created an innovative after-school opera program for young children while serving as a preschool teacher and Extended Day Coordinator at the Montessori Day School of Brooklyn, producing inclusive, neurodivergent-friendly performances.

Dr. Williams is also a commercial and print model, having starred in a national Verizon Holiday commercial alongside her identical twin sister as part of their creative brand, The Sparkle Twins. A passionate volunteer, she is a proud sister of Sigma Alpha Iota and an artist for Sing for Hope, dedicated to using her talents to inspire and empower communities.

Whether performing on stage, educating the next generation, or creating innovative artistic experiences, Dr. Cherisse Williams is committed to shaping the future of the music industry through artistry, entrepreneurship, and inclusivity.