Joyce DiDonato

The Wichita State University Alumni Association will host "Shocker Diva: Beautiful Performer" at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 9, at the Marcus Welcome Center. The hour-long breakfast event, featuring alumna Joyce DiDonato, is part of the alumni association's centennial celebration and Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series.

The event is open to the public and seating is limited. Tickets are $18 for alumni association members and $20 for nonmembers. To register, go to www.wichita.edu/alumni.

DiDonato is an acclaimed operatic mezzo-soprano particularly admired for her interpretations of the works of Handel, Mozart and Rossini. She has performed with many of the world's leading opera companies and orchestras and, in 2012, won a Grammy for Best Classical Vocal Solo.

In 2006, Wichita State's alumni association presented DiDonato with the WSU Young Alumna Award for her achievements. She is married to Italian conductor Leonardo Vordoni and lives in Kansas City, Mo.

"Shocker Diva: Beautiful Performer" is the last event in the spring 2013 Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series.

For more information, contact Mandy Fleming, director of alumni events, WSU Alumni Association,  at 316-978-3831 or mandy.fleming@wichita.edu.