The Vocal Arts Division at MSM offers students opportunities to develop technical skills combined with developing a unique sense of artistry.
The MSM programs of study for Vocal Arts majors are designed to develop technically skilled classical vocal musicians in the western European/American style of classical vocal technique, encourage and facilitate 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.
Procedures By Degree Level
Voice Department Handbook
Plan of Study: Vocal Arts MSM Course Catalog
Dr. Carleen Graham, Associate Dean & Director of Vocal Arts cgraham@msmnyc.edu 917-493-4517
Erin Reppenhagen, Administrative Assistantereppenhagen@msmnyc.edu 917-493-4034
George Manahan – Opera Theatre: Conductor
Graduate Opera Theatre Stage Directors
Opera experience is available to all voice students through a variety of opera-related programs and courses. Undergraduates gain operatic experience through vocal electives, opera scenes programs in the junior year, and a senior opera production. Graduate students have the opportunity to audition for the Opera Theatre, details for which can be found on the Opera Theatre webpage.
All voice students participate in Ensembles, which include:
MSM Voice majors performed at the Metropolitan Museum, as part of the installation “Sonic Blossom”
1st Year Performance Class – Ashley Putnam 2nd Year Performance Class – Patrick Diamond
Singers & Collaborative Pianists Seminar – Warren Jones, Kenneth Merrill, Thomas Muraco Chamber Music Ensemble/Russian Romances & Ballads – Raymond Beegle Musical Theatre Lab – Carolyn Marlow & Shane Schag Spring Semester Cabaret – Andy Gale & Shane Schag
English Diction – Kathryn LaBouff French Diction – Thomas Muraco, Elsa Queron Bernard, Cristina Stanescu German Diction – Nils Neubert Italian Diction – Glenn Morton
The Beauty & Wit of American Song – Paul Sperry British Vocal Literature -Miriam Charney Advanced Vocal Literature/German Vocal Literature – Kenneth Merrill French Art Song for Vocalists & Pianists – Cristina Stanescu Recitative – Thomas Muraco, Nicoló Sbuelz Russian Romances & Ballads/Songs of the Romantic Period – Raymond Beegle
Acting – Carolyn Marlow, A.Scott Parry Advanced Acting – A.Scott Parry Movement – Ken Roberson Advanced Movement – Mamie Duncan-Gibbs
Explanation of Coaching Processes 2021-2022
How to Request a Regular Vocal Coach — Spring 2022
Regular Vocal Coach Bios — Spring 2022
Graduation Recital Coaching Request Form 2021-2022
A master class with baritone Thomas Hampson
In addition to studies with our expert faculty, students are given opportunities to sing for and observe world-renowned guest artists.
Recent voice master classes have included Martina Arroyo, Marilyn Horne, Martin Katz, Eric Owens, and Diana Soviero. Voice master classes for the 2016–17 year included Harolyn Blackwell, Stephanie Blythe, Jane Glover, Anthony Dean Griffey, Thomas Hampson, Matthew Rose, and Hao Jiang Tian.
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.
Kate Aldrich (Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Teatro Colón) Liam Bonner (Metropolitan Opera, Houston Grand Opera, English National Opera) J’nai Bridges (Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Los Angeles Opera) Andrea Carroll (Houston Grand Opera, Wiener Staatsoper) Anthony Roth Costanzo (Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, English National Opera) Lauren Flanigan (Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, La Scala) Susan Graham (Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden, Paris Opera) Soloman Howard (Metropolitan Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Los Angeles Opera) Lauren Jelencovich (Opera Theatre of Saint Louis) Sol Jin (Metropolitan Opera) Brandon Jovanovich (Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Deutsche Oper Berlin) Kathleen Kim (Metropolitan Opera) Catherine Malfitano (Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Paris Opera; Voice Faculty, MSM) Johanna Meier (Metropolitan Opera, Bayreuth) Laquita Mitchell (Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, Opéra Comique) Susan Neves (Opera Bastille in Paris, the Metropolitan Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Vienna State Opera) Simon O’Neill (Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden, La Scala) Kyle Pfortmiller (Metropolitan Opera) Amy Shoremount-Obra (Metropolitan Opera) Krysty Swann (Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago) Dawn Upshaw (Metropolitan Opera, Glyndebourne, Salzburg Festival) Yunpeng Wang (Metropolitan Opera) Matthew Worth (Dallas Opera, Atlanta Opera) Dolora Zajick (Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Lyric Opera of Chicago)
Kyle Barisich Judith Blazer Kimilee Bryant Cooper Grodin Shuler Hensley (Tony Award) Amy Justman Jose Llana Alicia Hall Moran Nathan Patrick Morgan Lindsay O’Neill N’Kenge Simpson Pacurar Lisa Hopkins Seegmiller (Tony Award)
“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)
“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)
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Carleen Graham, Ed.D.
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