LeAnn Overton

Performer and pedagogue LeAnn Overton currently serves on the faculties of Manhattan School of Music and the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University. Ms. Overton has taught on the faculties of Long Island University (C. W. Post campus), Carnegie Mellon University, Chautauqua Voice School, New York Actor’s Studio, and The New School of Music Mannes. She has been music director/vocal coach for summer festivals and opera companies including Vocal Arts Festival in Colorado Springs, Lingua e Canto in Sant’Angelo, Italy, Midsummer Music Festival in Canada, Oberlin in Italy, and Music Festival of Lucca, Italy in association with Cincinnati Conservatory, Cincinnati Opera, and Tulsa Opera.
Beginning in 2000, Ms. Overton collaborated with stage director Gordon Ostrowski, formerly Assistant Dean of Opera Studies and Production at Manhattan School of Music. She served as music director for MSM’s Educational Outreach Program, the Precollege Opera Workshop, and the Opera Theatre Scenes for juniors and sophomores all directed by Mr. Ostrowski. She currently serves as music director for the Undergraduate Opera Theatre, coaches undergraduate and graduate voice majors and continues her work with the Precollege division.

As faculty member at Montclair State University, her work includes music director/coach for the spring opera workshop and coach for the mainstage operas, as well as recital coach. For several years she designed and directed an opera workshop class aimed at the specific needs of the undergraduate vocal major. She made her opera scenes conducting review in fall 2010 for stage director Jan Prokop at the Kasser Theatre on the MSU campus.

In 2014 Ms. Overton established “Respiro Opera, NYC,” a program built on the basics of singing: breath (yoga), body alignment (Alexander Technique and Body Mapping), text study, and musical style. Respiro’s faculty are highly regarded in their specific fields. (See RespiroOperaNYC.org for faculty bios.) An enthusiastic proponent of the Alexander Technique, Ms. Overton has collaborated in several NYC workshops with AT instructor Bill Connington, author of Physical Expression on Stage and Screen: Using the Alexander Technique to Create Unforgettable Performances.

Ms. Overton earned her Master of Music degree in vocal coaching/accompanying at the University of Illinois with renown accompanist John Wustman. She has been a title caller at the Metropolitan Opera since 2000. (leannoverton.com)