Vocal Studies

The Curtis vocal studies department integrates new students into the full musical life of the school from the moment they arrive.

Working with distinguished artist-faculty members under the direction of Danielle Orlando and Eric Owens, singers study opera and song literature as well as chamber music.

Curtis aims to educate and train musicians for 21st-century careers as performers on the highest professional level, through a unique "learn by doing" approach. Students can expect to perform often on the Student Recital Series and in Curtis Opera Theatre productions from the beginning of their Curtis careers.

Applicants who are admitted enter the Bachelor of Music program in voice, the Master of Music program in opera, or the diploma program. Those who already hold bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees or other certificates or diplomas are welcome to apply.

Beginning in the 2019-20 school year, Eric Owens and Danielle Orlando assume artistic leadership of the Curtis Vocal Studies Department.

A Conversation with Danielle Orlando and Eric Owens

Artistic Leadership

Danielle Orlando, Hirsig Family chair of vocal studies and director of the Curtis Opera Theatre

Eric Owens, director of vocal studies and the Curtis Opera Theatre 

Administration

Dorothy Shrader, manager of vocal studies and Curtis Opera Theatre

Production

Justin Johnson, production director

Chas Rader-Shieber, resident stage director

Music Staff

Lisa Keller, master coach

Grant Loehnig, master coach

Susan Nowicki, master coach

Miloš Repický, master coach

Jin Hyun Park, staff pianist

Ting Ting Wong, staff pianist

Reese Revak, opera and voice coach/staff pianist

Stefano Baldasseroni, Italian diction coach

Ghenady Meirson, Russian repertoire coach

Ulrike Shapiro, German diction coach

Voice Faculty

Vinson Cole, adjunct

Elizabeth de Trejo, adjunct

Ruth Falcon, adjunct

Julia Faulkner, faculty

Cynthia Hoffmann, adjunct

Luis Ledesma, adjunct

Marlena Kleinman Malas, faculty

Patricia McCaffrey, adjunct

Sherry Overholt, adjunct

Joan Patenaude-Yarnell, faculty

Maitland Peters, adjunct

Ashley Putnam, adjunct

Bill Schuman, adjunct

Kevin Short, adjunct