University of Utah

Voice students at the University of Utah graduate solidly prepared for professional performing and teaching careers. Our faculty of active world-class performers and scholars provide outstanding vocal training, a variety of performance opportunities, world-class choral ensemble experience, and a sense of community to students of all backgrounds. Along with our students, the faculty of the Voice Area share a strong commitment to the performance of works by underrepresented composers.

While at the U, students engage in a variety of academic and performance experiences that encompass opera, oratorio, art song, and choral literature, providing hands-on opportunities to learn vocal technique and stagecraft. To better prepare students for a rich life in addition to performing, recent additions to our offerings include a certificate in Arts Entrepreneurship and a Masters of Music in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy.

Students receive outstanding vocal training and coaching from a distinguished faculty of active performers who balance careers with teaching. Our comprehensive curriculum guides singers to be versatile, creative and technically proficient on- and off-stage.

Regular performance opportunities include a double bill of holiday operas in collaboration with the Grand Theater, one annual full production with orchestra in Kingsbury Hall, as well as opera scenes presented in Libby Gardner Concert Hall. Past opera productions have included La Rondine, Rigoletto, Candide, L’incoronazione di Poppea, Susannah, Sweeney Todd, Dialogues of the Carmelites, Little Women, Suor Angelica, and Gianni Schicchi.

Visiting directors and artists enhance on campus vocal opportunities; alumns Stanford Olsen and Celena Shafer give master classes, along with other vocal greats such as Barbara Bonney and Michael Barrett. Strong ties to Utah Opera and Utah Symphony as well as the Cathedral of the Madeleine offer additional learning and performance opportunities for our students. Participation in our choral ensembles allows students to learn a variety of music styles and master works as choristers and soloists.