Jesenya Rivera Puls Graduate Recital
April 11, 2026 1PM HMUS101
Collinsworth School of Performing Arts
Jesenya Rivera Puls, voice
Dr. Jennifer Cruz, piano
Program
I Could Have Danced All Night (from My Fair Lady)
Green Finch and Linnet Bird (from Sweeney Todd)
The Beauty Is (from The Light in the Piazza)
Glitter and Be Gay (from Candide)
Hello Young Lovers (from The King and I)
Will He Like Me (from She Loves Me)
My White Knight (from The Music Man)
Love Never Dies (from Love Never Dies)
Frederick Loewe (1901-1988)
Stephen Sondheim (1930-2021)
Adam Guettel (b. 1964)
Leonard Bernstein & Richard Wilbur (1918-1990, 1921-2017)
Richard Rogers & Oscar Hammerstein III (1902-1979, 1895-1960)
Jerry Brock (1928-2010)
Meredith Wilson (1902-1984)
Andrew Lloyd Webber (b. 1948)
Chanson D’Amour Gabriel Fauré
Après un Rêve (1845-1924)
Je Veux Vivre (from Roméo et Juliette)
Charles Gounoud (1818-1893)
Da Schlägt Die Abschiedsstunde (from Der Schauspieldirektor) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Sempre Libera (from La Traviata) Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Jesenya Rivera Puls is a Coloratura soprano from La Mirada, California. Pursuing a Performance Certification at CBU, she previously completed her undergraduateeducation at Biola University, attaininga Bachelor’s in Theatre Arts in Musical Theatre. She is from the studio of Juan Castañeda. Jesenya’s background includes extensive performance work in theatre, as well as sixteen years of ballet studies, and four years of opera training and performance. She recently made her Prima Donna debut in the penultimate Die Zauberflöte as the legendary Queen of theNight. OthertopbillingsincludeAmalia in She Loves Me, the Witch in Into the Woods, and both Anita and Maria in two different West Side Story productions. Please enjoy her graduate recital!
I would like to thank Juan Castañeda, for continuing to encourage me in my vocal ability and helping steer me towards important opportunities, as well as literally everything he’s taught me. I would also like to thank Stefan Miller for wanting to work with me and teaching me the importance of being a good leader. I would like to thank Dr Cruz for her accompanying of me in this recital and for all of her hard work. I would like to thank Dr Robison, Dr Ali, Dr Stewart, Dr Golden, Professor Carama, Ms O’hern, Mrs Gomez and Mr Makinto for teaching me everything I know and encouraging my voice to flourish.I would like to thank God for guiding me through these years into the places he has set before me now, I would like to thank my family of artists for always encouraging the pursuit of the good, the true, and the beautiful, and I would like to thank my partner Andy, for everything.
This recital is presented under the direction of Professor Juan Castaneda in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Performance Certificate.
COLLABORATIVE ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Jennifer Cruz is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Keyboard Collaborative Arts at CBU. A versatile collaborator across campus, she serves as staff pianist for SoPA student recitals, juries, Camerata, and faculty showcases. An international performer and clinician, she holds degrees from Eastman and a DMA from USC, and is dedicated to mentoring students toward sustainable, meaningful musical careers.