Rick x. Hoops

"Rick X. Hoops (they/he) is a coloratura soprano, multidisciplinary performance artist, and arts administrator living in Saint Paul. He has performed on three continents and holds two Bachelor's degrees from Saint Olaf College in vocal performance and theater. They work in the Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life at the University of Minnesota where they are also pursuing a Masters degree in Arts and Cultural Leadership. Rick is also a staff member in the Impact department at Minnesota Opera where they lead the youth programs and host the new queer arts podcast, crescendo: building the future of the arts. The podcast is available on all streaming platforms and comes out every other Tuesday. 

With more than eight years of teaching experience, Rick prioritizes trauma-informed and holistic approaches in vocal studies and specializes in working with trans and nonbinary singers. In their studies, Rick has been focusing on promoting queer belonging in nonprofit organizations. They have developed several resources for employees and have provided training for multiple departments at the University of Minnesota and Minnesota Opera. They also have an interest in programming/casting practices and recently led and produced a recital called Queer Life: a Trans Narrative Recital that modeled responsible, equity-focused programming and material adaptation."