AboutPamela Thomas Expertise Questions on Opera performance, repertoire, vocal technique, acting for opera. I have some 20 years experience in opera in both leading roles and chorus. I have sung with New York City Opera since 1981. I have studied voice in NYC for over 20 years and have also taught technique and coached singers in acting.
Question I am currently trying to undertake the difficult task of choosing a grad school for vocal performance. Right now I am trying to balance picking a established school while finding a solid teacher.
I have determined it is most important to me to find a teacher that will help me develop my voice as much as possible, most preferably a mezzo soprano. Are you aware of any current strong mezzo teachers? And what schools are they currently teaching at?
Thank you so much!
Answer Hi Andrea,
I'm sorry it's taken me a while to respond. I've been trying to poll my singer friends for their thoughts - but I don't have too much I can offer, I'm afraid.
Certainly the big music schools have excellent teachers so I don't think you can go to wrong going to one of those.
One response I got was about Heidi Skok, who is a mezzo soprano. She just announced her new voice faculty position at University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY. My friend studied with her and speaks highly of her. At Manhattan School of Music in NYC you have a number of excellent teachers: Pat Mislin, Neil Rosenschein, Catherine Malfitano, Maitland Peters (head of the vocal dept), Arthur Levy - all are well thought of (although no mezzos). Juilliard and Mannes School of Music have excellent teachers as well. Sharon Christman at Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at Catholic University is excellent.
You might look for the next edition of Classical Singer (check out their website) you may want to join. They are doing a feature on music schools and they have lots of excellent information. The website is www.classicalsinger.com
They also list auditions (if you are a member).
That may help. If I hear more from my friends I will send up update.
