Vocal Arts - Manhattan School of Music

Vocal Arts - Manhattan School of Music
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Vocal Arts
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The MSM Vocal Arts Division provides comprehensive training in classical voice, collaborative piano, opera theatre, and related studies, preparing students for a competitive and diverse performing arts industry.
Classical Voice
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Music (BM)
Master of Music (MM)
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
Other Studies
Professional Studies Certificate (PS) – one year
Professional Performance Diploma (PPD) – two year
Artist Diploma (AD)
Collaborative Piano
Degrees Offered
Master of Music (MM)
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
Other Studies
Artist Diploma (AD)
Professional Studies Certificate (PS)
Program Details
The MSM programs of study in
Classical Voice
and
Collaborative Piano
are designed to develop technically skilled classical musicians, encourage the development of unique and autonomous artistry, and prepare students to successfully participate in and contribute towards the future of a vibrant performing arts industry.
Audition & Prescreening Information
Procedures by Degree Level – Classical Voice
Procedures by Degree Level – Collaborative Piano
Handbook for Current Students
Vocal Arts Division Handbook
Plan of Study & Course Descriptions
Plan of Study: Classical Voice
Plan of Study: Collaborative Piano
MSM Academic Catalog
Vocal Arts Division Administration
Dr. Carleen Graham
, Dean of Vocal Arts and Collaborative Piano
cgraham@msmnyc.edu
917-493-4517
John Forconi
, Chair of Collaborative Piano
jforconi@msmnyc.edu
917-493-4499
Erin Reppenhagen,
Administrative Associate to the Provost and Academic Deans
ereppenhagen@msmnyc.edu
917-493-4034
Classical Voice Faculty
Related Studies in Vocal Arts Faculty
Collaborative Piano Faculty
Related Vocal Arts Studies
Diction
English Diction – Kathryn LaBouff, Donna Gill
French Diction – Thomas Muraco, Elsa Queron, Cristina Stanescu
German Diction – Nils Neubert
Italian Diction – Glenn Morton, Derrick Goff
Graduate Diction Performance – Thomas Muraco
Song Literature & Style
Undergraduate
American Vocal Literature
Paul Sperry
British Vocal Literature
Miriam Charney
German Vocal Literature – Kenneth Merrill
French Vocal Literature – Jeanne-Minette Cilliers
Graduate
Recitative
Thomas Muraco
Advanced Vocal Literature– Kenneth Merrill
American Song: Beauty & Wit – Paul Sperry
French Art Song for Vocalists & Pianists
– Cristina Stanescu
Russian Diction & Song Literature – Mark Pakman
Chamber Music & Collaborative Classes
Singers & Collaborative Pianists Seminar – Three sections are taught by Kenneth Merrill, Thomas Muraco, and Thomas Lausmann/Myra Huang/Bryan Wagorn.
Russian Romances & Ballads – Raymond Beegle
Songs of the Romantic Period
Raymond Beegle
Acting & Movement
Undergraduate Acting – Carolyn Marlow, A. Scott Parry
Graduate Acting – C. Alexander, Axel Avin, Yehuda Hyman
Movement for Singers – Mamie Duncan-Gibbs, Felicty Stiverson, Hollie Wright
Advanced Movement – Mamie Duncan-Gibbs
Wellness
Vocal Wellness & Physiology – Justin John Moniz
Alexander Technique, Advanced Alexander Technique, Performance Techniques (different from Vocal Arts PT) offered through other departments see – p. 139 in the Course Catalog.
Opera Theatre
A variety of staged experiences are available through audition for undergraduates and graduate students.
For more information visit
Opera Theatre.
Performing Ensembles and Performance Classes
st
& 2
nd
Year Performance Class
– Jonathan Beyer, Mary Dunleavy, Timothy McDevitt
st
& 2
nd
year undergraduates are assigned to one of three sections. Though each section is taught by a different instructor, the goals are the same – to build foundational skills in rehearsal preparation, stagecraft, interpretation, auditioning and professionalism. Classes will present recitals during Friends and Family Weekend in the fall, and performances of duets, trios and opera choruses in the spring.
Undergraduate Choral Ensembles
MSM Chorale – Malcolm Merriweather, director. A mid to large-sized SATB Ensemble.
Chamber Choir – Malcom Merriweather, director. A small, auditioned ensemble.
Gospel Choir – Michael Gayle, director. Offered through the Jazz Division.
Singers & Collaborative Pianists Seminar
– Kenneth Merrill, Thomas Muraco, Myra Huang/Thomas Lausmann/Bryan Wagorn. Admission through competitive audition prior to the beginning of the fall semester. Full academic year commitment required.
Graduate Performance Techniques Courses
Master of Music voice majors are required to complete two PT classes.
Revealing the ActorSinger Within – Catherine Malfitano
Study and Performance Techniques in Contemporary Opera – Miriam Charney
Vocal Performance Class – Cynthia Hoffmann
Preparation for Operatic Roles – Mignon Dunn
Stagecraft in Opera and Song – Ashley Putnam
Oratorio Seminar – TBA
Master Classes
A master class with baritone Thomas Hampson
In addition to studies with our expert faculty, students are given opportunities to sing for or interact with world-renowned guest artists.
Recent guests include: Stephanie Blythe, Beth Clayton, Simon Estes, Thomas Hampson, Michael Heaston, Hei-Kyung Hong, Warren Jones, Isabel Leonard, Donald Palumbo, Melissa Wegner.
Competitions
Graduating singers may be nominated to compete in the Alan M. and Joan Taub Ades Vocal Competition each spring (photo above from April 2016). This competition seeks to identify and support young singers who demonstrate exceptional vocal talent and potential in opera. Additionally, singers have the opportunity to compete in the Eisenberg–Fried Concerto Competition each winter.
Fried-Eisenberg Concerto Competition
The Fried-Eisenberg Concerto Competition takes place in the spring semester. Information and audition requirements will be announced in November.
Ades Vocal Competition
The Ades Vocal Competition is held each spring and is open to
graduating
voice majors who are completing their formal studies with an accredited institution and plan to begin building their careers. Graduates who are accepted into a professional opera company’s young artist program (YAP) are permitted to compete. Information regarding the competition will be announced in November.
Duncan Williams Voice Competition
A voice competition for Black and Latinx classical singers jointly presented by New York city Opera and MSM.
Application
deadline is October 31, 2022.
Fuchs Chamber Competition
The Fuchs Competition is sponsored by the Chamber Music department. It is open to chamber groups at MSM and is aimed at identifying the highest quality student chamber group ensemble in a given semester. The competition takes place each semester and is open to
registered
chamber groups. Winners of the competition are featured in a special winners’ concert in Greenfield.
Notable Vocal Arts Alumni
Kate Aldrich
(MM ’98), mezzo-soprano — MET Opera, San Francisco Opera, Teatro Colón, Bayerische Staatsoper
Justin Austin
(BM ’14, MM ’17), baritone — MET Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Los Angeles Opera, Lincoln Center Theater, Carnegie Hall, Des Moines Metro Opera, Washington National Opera, New York Festival of Song
Liam Bonner
(MM ’05), baritone — Executive Director, Indianapolis Symphonic Choir; MET Opera, Houston Grand Opera, English National Opera, Minnesota Opera, Opera Philadelphia, LA Opera
Raehann Bryce-Davis
(MM ’12, PS ’13) mezzo-soprano — MET Opera, La Monnaie de Munt Brussels, Glimmerglass Festival, LA Opera, Staatstheater Nürnberg; Houston Grand Opera
J’Nai Bridges
(BM ’09), mezzo-soprano — MET Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, LA Opera, Washington National Opera, Dutch National Opera, Seattle Opera; GRAMMY Award: Best Opera Recording (2022)
Andrea Carroll
(BM ’12), soprano — MET Opera, La Scala, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Wiener Staatsoper, Vienna State Opera, Den Norske Opera, Dallas Opera
Beth Clayton
(MM ’94), mezzo-soprano — MET Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Glimmerglass Festival, Houston Grand Opera, LA Opera, Washington National Opera, Integrative Performance Coach
Anthony Roth Costanzo
(MM ’08, HonDMA ’22), countertenor — MET Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Paris Opera, Teatro Real Madrid; General Director & President, Opera Philadelphia; Grammy Award for “Best Opera Recording” (2022)
Chanáe Curtis
(MM ’14), soprano — Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Welsh National Opera, English National Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Memphis Opera, Metropolitan Opera
Jeanine De Bique
(BM ’06, MM ’08, PS ’09), soprano — Opéra National de Paris, Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Houston Grand Opera, Salzburg Festival San Francisco Opera, De Nationale Opera Amsterdam
Alexandra Deshorties
(’98), soprano — MET Opera, Houston Grand Opera, San Francisco Opera, Gran Teatre del Liceu, LA Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Aix-in -Provence, Dallas Opera, Lindemann alumna
Lauren Flanigan
(’84), soprano — MET Opera, New York City Opera, La Scala, Bayerisches Staatsoper, Glyndebourne
Susan Graham
(MM ’87, HonDMA ’08), mezzo-soprano — MET Opera, Covent Garden, Paris Opera; GRAMMY Winner: Best Classical Vocal Performance (2010)
Soloman Howard
(MM ’10), bass — MET Opera, Royal Opera House, Santa Fe Opera, Los Angeles Opera
Barbara Lynne Jamison
(MM ’98), soprano — General Director & CEO, Opera Colorado; former General Director & CEO, Kentucky Opera; Board of Directors, OPERA America
Sol Jin
(MM ’15), baritone — MET Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Carnegie Hall
Brandon Jovanovich
(’98), tenor — MET Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Vienna Staatsoper, San Francisco Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Wiener Staatsoper, Bayerische Staatsoper
Kathleen Kim
(BM ’98, MM ’00), soprano — MET Opera, Opéra de Paris, Opéra Comique, Korean Opera, L’Opera de Montreal, Glyndebourne Festival, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Catherine Malfitano
(BM ’71), soprano — MET Opera, La Scala, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Paris Opera; MSM Voice Faculty
Jana McIntyre
(MM ’16), soprano — San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Santa Fe Opera, Detroit Opera, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Santa Fe Opera, George London, MET Opera National Council grand finalist
Johanna Meier
(BM ’60), soprano — Principal Soprano, Metropolitan Opera; lead performer, Bayreuth Festival; Founder and Artistic Director, Black Hills Black Hills Summer Institute of the Arts; New York City Opera; lifetime achievement award recipient, National Opera Association
Laquita Mitchell
(MM ’01), soprano — Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, San Francisco Opera, Opéra Comique, New York City Opera, Sara Tucker Award, MET Opera National Council Grand Prize Winner (2004)
Warren Mok
(MM ’86), tenor — Artistic Director, Opera Hong Kong, Macau International Music Festival
Susan Neves
(BM ’78, MM ’79), soprano — MET Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Vienna State Opera, Gran Teatro del Liceu Barcelona, L’Arena di Verona
Simon O’Neill
(MM ’00), tenor — MET Opera, Covent Garden, La Scala, Vienna Staatsoper, National Opera de Paris, Bayreuth Festival, BBC Proms; GRAMMY Award: Best Choral Performance 2022; Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Opera
Kyle Pfortmiller
(MM ’94), tenor — MET Opera, Beijing Festival, Hong Kong New Arts Festival, Spoletto USA
Amy Shoremount-Obra
(BM ’01, MM ’03), soprano — MET Opera
Krysty Swann
(BM ’08), mezzo-soprano — MET Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Michigan Opera Theatre, Lincoln Center Theatre
Dawn Upshaw
(MM ’85, HonDMA ’98), soprano — MET Opera, Glyndebourne, Salzburg Festival; MacArthur Fellow; NEA Opera Hall of Fame (2021); 5x GRAMMY-winner
Erin Wagner
(BM ’19), mezzo-soprano — Naumburg Foundation Winner, Houston Grand Opera, Carnegie Hall, Aspen Music Festival, New York Festival of Song
Yunpeng Wang
(MM ’13), baritone — MET Opera, Philadelphia Orchestra, Teatro dal Verme Milan, Danish Opera, Teatro Municpal São Paulo
Melissa Wegner
(MM ’05), soprano — Executive Director of MET Opera Lindemann Young Artist Program & Laffont Competition
Matthew Worth
(MM ’03, PS ’04), baritone — Dallas Opera, Atlanta Opera, Opêra de Montréal, Beth Morrison Projects, Tanglewood, Oregon Bach Festival; faculty, San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Dolora Zajick
(MM ’83, HonDMA ’02), mezzo-soprano — MET Opera, La Scala, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Vienna Staatsoper, Covent Garden; Bronze Medal 7th International Tchaikovsky Competition Founder of Institute for Young Dramatic Voices
MSM Graduate Opera Theatre presents A French Opera Double Bill, Dec 8 to 11, 2022
Success Stories
See All
Apr 19, 2026
Vocal Arts
Alumni
MSM Collaborative Piano alumna Ye In Kwak makes her Met Music Staff debut as an assistant conductor for
Eugene Onegin
Mar 29, 2026
College, Piano, Precollege, Strings, Vocal Arts
Alumni,Students
MSM Current Students and Recent MSM Alumni Perform in AGBU Program at Carnegie Hall
Feb 18, 2026
Vocal Arts
Alumni
MSM Vocal Arts alumni advance to finals in the
“When I began studying classical voice, I never dreamed that I would have this privilege of studying at a prestigious place like MSM with such incredible professors”
Rachel Steinbacher
Soprano (BM '19)
Watch!
MSM Graduate Opera Theatre presents
Le nozze di Figaro
on April 30, 2022
MSM Graduate Opera Theatre presents "Le nozze di Figaro" April 30, 2022
Vocal Arts Program Information
Prescreening & Audition Procedures
Vocal Arts Division Handbook
Plan of Study
MSM Academic Catalog
Helpful Links for Applying to MSM College Programs
Request Admission Information
Admission Viewbook
What You'll Need to Apply
Admission Dates & Deadlines
Prescreening & Audition Information
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Tuition Overview
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Visit MSM
MSM Degrees and Other Studies
Undergraduate
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Doctoral Studies
Professional Performance Diploma
Professional Studies Certificate
Artist Diploma
Online Degree Completion Program: BFA in Performing Arts
Precollege (Ages 8-18)
MSM Summer (Ages 8-17)
Other Academics
Faculty
Carleen Graham, Ed.D.
College:
Dean of Vocal Arts and Collaborative Piano
C. Alexander
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Related Studies in Vocal Arts: Acting
Edith Bers
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Classical Voice
Michał Biel
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Collaborative Piano
Harolyn Blackwell
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Classical Voice
Joanne Chang
College Faculty
Vocal Arts: Related Studies in Vocal Arts
American Song Literature
Miriam Charney
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Related Studies: Performance Techniques, Vocal Literature
Mamie Duncan-Gibbs
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Related Studies in Vocal Arts: Movement
Mary Dunleavy
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Classical Voice
Related Studies in Vocal Arts
John Forconi
College Faculty:
Department Chair: Collaborative Piano
Collaborative Piano: Instrumental
Derrick Goff
College Faculty
Vocal Arts Faculty: Related Studies in Vocal Arts
Ruth Golden
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Classical Voice
Center for Career Readiness & Community Impact
Christopher Herbert
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts
Cynthia Hoffmann
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Classical Voice
Related Studies in Vocal Arts
Myra Huang
College Faculty:
Collaborative Piano: Vocal
Tammy Huynh
College Faculty:
Jazz Arts: Voice
Vocal Arts: Related Studies in Vocal Arts: Contemporary Vocal Ensemble
Yehuda Hyman
College Faculty:
Musical Theatre: Devised Practice
Vocal Arts: Related Studies in Vocal Arts: Acting
Isabel Leonard
College Vocal Arts Artist in Residence (no instruction)
Amy Justman
College Faculty
: Vocal Arts
Kristen Kemp
College Artistic Staff:
Vocal Arts: Opera Theatre: Head of Music Staff, Vocal Coaching
Deborah King
College Faculty
Vocal Arts: Director of Choirs: MSM Chorale, Chamber Choir
Kathryn LaBouff
College Faculty:
Related Studies in Vocal Arts: English Diction
Jack Li Vigni
College Faculty
Vocal Arts: Classical Voice
Catherine Malfitano
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Classical Voice
Related Studies in Vocal Arts: Performance Techniques
Timothy McDevitt
College Faculty:
Related Studies in Vocal Arts: Performance Techniques
Career Readiness & Community Impact
Kenneth Merrill
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Collaborative Piano; Related Studies in Vocal Arts: Vocal Literature, Vocal Coaching
Justin John Moniz
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Related Studies in Vocal Arts: Vocal Wellness & Physiology
James Morris
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Classical Voice
Glenn Morton
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Related Studies in Vocal Arts: Italian Diction
Djordje Nesic
College Artistic Staff:
Related Studies in Vocal Arts: Opera Theatre: Vocal Coaching; Vocal Chamber Music; Graduate French Song Literature
Nils Neubert
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Related Studies in Vocal Arts: German Diction & German Vocal Literature
Christòpheren (Chris) Nomura
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Classical Voice
Gordon Ostrowski
College Faculty:
Opera Theatre: Opera Workshop
Mark Oswald
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts
Sidney Outlaw
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Classical Voice
Mark Pakman
College Faculty:
Keyboard Skills
Vocal Arts: Related Studies in Vocal Arts: Russian Diction & Vocal Literature
Precollege Faculty: Piano
Jinhee Park
College Faculty
Vocal Arts Faculty: Related Studies in Vocal Arts: Vocal Chamber Music
A. Scott Parry
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Related Studies in Vocal Arts:
Undergraduate Acting; Graduate Performance Techniques; Opera Theatre: Undergraduate Opera Theatre
Joan Patenaude-Yarnell
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Classical Voice
Tami Petty
College Faculty:
Vocal Wellness & Physiology, Vocal Arts & Collaborative Piano Related Studies
Dimitri Pittas
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Classical Voice
Susan Quittmeyer
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts :
Classical Voice
Heasook Rhee
College Faculty:
Collaborative Piano: Instrumental, Chamber Music
Neil Rosenshein
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts
Related Vocal Arts Studies: Performance Techniques
Bin Yu Sanford
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Collaborative Piano
Shane Schag
College Artistic Staff
Musical Theatre: Skills, Music Director, Pianist;
Vocal Arts: Opera Theatre: Musical Theatre Lab
Mark Schnaible
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Classical Voice
Cyndia Sieden
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Classical Voice
Cristina Stanescu
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Related Studies in Vocal Arts: French Diction, Vocal Coaching
Felicity Stiverson
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Related Studies in Vocal Arts: Movement
Thomas Lausmann
College Faculty:
Collaborative Piano: Vocal
Bryan Wagorn
College Faculty:
Collaborative Piano: Vocal
Weicong Zhang
College Faculty:
Vocal Arts: Collaborative Piano
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