Vocal Arts Graduate Program

Overview

Dawn Upshaw, Artistic Director

Kayo Iwama, Head of Program

Dawn Upshaw (photo by Dario Acosta)

The Graduate Program in Vocal Arts at the Bard College Conservatory is a unique Master of Music program in vocal performance. Designed and conceived by the renowned American soprano Dawn Upshaw, it was created to prepare the young singer to meet the special artistic and practical challenges of a musical career in the 21st century. This two-year master of music degree balances a respect for established repertory and expressive techniques with the flexibility and curiosity needed to keep abreast of evolving musical ideas. It also includes a strong practical component with seminars and classes on career skills led by some of the leading figures in arts management and administration.

Each year a select group of up to 8 singers is invited to join the program through an intensive audition process. The small number of students in each class insures that each singer receives the individual attention that can uncover and nurture his or her unique qualities in order to create a complete singing artist.

A group of master voice teachers, coaches and instructors in Alexander Technique, movement and diction is supplemented by guest artists drawn from the professional musical world. Previous guest artists have included the conductor James Conlon, Metropolitan Opera coaches Robert Cowart, Ken Noda and Pierre Vallet, the stage directors Marc Verzatt and Peter Sellars, and the singers Phyllis Curtin and Lucy Shelton.

Ms. Upshaw takes a personal interest in the growth of each student and acts as both teacher and mentor to help them realize their full artistic and professional potential. She is in residence at least three times each semester for intensive work with students in individual coachings and master classes. Her inspirational presence sets the tone for the exploration and discovery of a wide-range of musical styles and for the development of communicative and emotionally compelling music making.

Letter from the Director

More about the Vocal Arts program from Artistic Director Dawn Upshaw.