Who We Are
The voice faculty at Boston University is dedicated to a
program of study commensurate with the demands of professional singing. We believe the artist synthesizes all aspects
of training with heart, mind, and body. Therefore, at each level of study,
students pursue the highest standards of training in developing technique,
repertoire, languages, and musicianship.
Performance opportunities may include scenes as well as productions; performance and
diction courses, and contemporary chamber works. All students study with faculty members (not
graduate students) in a supportive and collegial atmosphere. The voice department takes pride in the
outstanding esprit de corps that has
traditionally existed among its vocal performance majors.
Mainstage Operas (all double cast)
Angels in America (Eotvos),
February 19-22, Boston University Theatre.
William Lumpkin, conductor.
James Petosa, director.
Cendrillon (Massenet),
April 16-19, Boston University Theatre.
William Lumpkin, conductor.
XXXX, director.
Opera Scenes
Feb. 28, Concert Hall.
Opera Workshop (juniors and seniors): performances of Gallantry (Douglas Moore) and Fables (Rorem), both pieces double cast.
Opera Theater (graduate students): traditional scenes from Manon, L’elisir d’amore, Susannah, and Romeo et Juliette.
May 2, Concert Hall.
Opera Project (freshmen and sophomores): scenes from
American musical theater.
Choral Performances
Feb. 6, Boston University Singers, Marsh Chapel. Scott
Jarrett, conductor.
Solemn Vespers (Mozart) with orchestra, featuring
undergraduate soloists (upperclassmen).
Short works by Lully and others (freshmen and sophomores).
March 23, Symphonic Choir & BU Singers, Old South
Church.
Bernstein Chichester
Psalms.
Wachner (graduation year)
April 7, Symphonic Choir, Symphony Hall
Mahler Symphony No. 2
April 11, Marsh Chapel
Vocal Chamber Music.
Special Event:
Master Class with Ben Heppner, tenor.
March 16, Tsai Performance Center.
About Our Students
In recent years our graduate students have been heard with Central
City Opera, Opera Theater of St. Louis, Chautauqua Opera, Des Moines Metro
Opera, Crested Butte, the Tanglewood Music Festival, Glimmerglass Opera,
Santa Fe Opera, the Marlborough Music Festival, and the Brevard Music Center.
In spring 2015 three of our students were District winners of the Metropolitan
Opera National Council auditions.
Our undergraduate students have participated in Opera
Theater of St. Louis, Opera in the Ozarks, the Seagle Colony, Chautauqua
Institute (Young American Artists Program), the Up North Vocal Institute, the
Atlantic Music Festival, and L’art de chant (France). They have also been winners at many
competitions, such as the Orpheus Vocal Competition, RICCO (Rhode Island Civic
Chorale & Orchestra) and the Mildred Miller International
Competition.
Our alumni have represented us with nearly every major U.S. opera
company, including the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Lyric Opera of
Chicago, Boston Lyric Opera, Sarasota Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Eugene
Opera, and Portland Opera.
Our Degree Programs
We offer the following degrees in vocal performance:
Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts, and the Performance
Diploma. For complete program descriptions and profiles of our faculty, you are
invited to visit our website at www.bu.edu/cfa/music.
Meet Our Faculty
Lynn Eustis, soprano, Associate Professor & Chair
Penelope Bitzas, mezzo-soprano, Associate Professor
Sharon Daniels, soprano, Associate Professor, Performance
Techniques
James Demler, baritone, Assistant Professor
Phyllis Hoffman, mezzo-soprano, Professor
Jerrold Pope, baritone, Associate Professor
Vocal Repertoire Faculty
Michelle Alexander, Lecturer - Song Literature, Diction,
Vocal Coaching
Michael Beattie, Teaching Associate - Oratorio Repertoire
Shiela Kibbe, Assistant Professor (collaborative piano) -
Vocal Repertoire Coaching
Allison Voth, Associate Professor (opera) - Diction
