In addition to the wealth of knowledge and support provided by the Voice and Opera Program, students also benefit from the resources of the School of Music, including the school's academic studies department faculty who teach music theory, history, technology, education, etc., as well as the University's French and Italian and German departments, Musical Theatre Program and School of Speech. Undergraduates work toward a bachelor's degree in music. Since opera is just one segment of classical music included in their course of study, undergraduates also study chamber music, choral music, oratorio and recital repertoire in order to learn a wide range of musical skills and styles. Juniors attend classes on Acting Techniques for Opera Singers. During senior year, students take Opera Lab where they plot out the basics of each opera scene and refine it, both musically and dramatically.
All students take voice lessons throughout their undergraduate career.
In addition to their classes, they are expected to practice at least an hour a day, depending on their school and performance schedules. Vocal health is another top priority that students learn because strained vocal chords or a cold or sore throat can be devastating to a vocalist, especially prior to a performance. We are fortunate to have faculty members who are considered to be the finest there is. They also may study Alexander Technique, a method that teaches a vocalist how to balance their body, use their body energy to full capacity, and use their muscles efficiently. The program has 11 voice teachers Richard Alderson, Theresa Brancaccio, Brunssen, Richard Drews, Mignon Dunn, Elizabeth Fischer, Bruce Hall, Kurt R. Hansen, Victoria Holland, Sunny Joy Langton and William Warfield.