Graduate Vocal Arts Program

Dawn Upshaw, Artistic Director
Kayo Iwama, Associate Director
The Graduate Vocal Arts Program is a unique master of music program in vocal performance. Conceived, designed and led by renowned American soprano Dawn Upshaw, the program was created to prepare the young singer to meet the special challenges of pursuing a professional career in music 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. Students work on art song, chamber music, new music and operatic repertoire throughout the coursework of the program. Operatic repertoire is studied and performed throughout the curriculum and, in alternate years, in a fully staged production at the Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. The program 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.

Download the Vocal Arts Program Brochure PDF
Photo Caption: The students of the Vocal Arts Program in performance with Dawn Upshaw at the Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts.

Program Size

Each class consists of a select group of up to nine singers, chosen through an audition process that includes a CD screening and live audition. The small number of students in each class ensures that each singer receives the individual attention that can uncover and nurture his or her unique qualities to create the complete singing artist.

Guest Artists

A group of master voice teachers, coaches, instructors in Alexander Technique, and experts in acting, movement and diction is supplemented by guest artists drawn from the professional music world. Previous guest artists have included the conductor James Conlon; Metropolitan Opera coaches Robert Cowart, Ken Noda and Pierre Vallet; stage directors Peter Sellars, Nic Muni; dramaturge Cori Ellison; music criitic Richard Dyer; and singers Dwayne Croft, Phyllis Curtin and Lucy Shelton.

Artistic Director

Upshaw teaches the Core Seminar course and also works with the students in individual coaching sessions and master classes. She takes a personal interest in the growth of each student, developing a relationship with them in order to help them realize their full potential. Her inspirational presence sets the tone for the exploration and discovery of a wide range of musical styles.

Distinctions earned by graduates of the program include:

Competitions

Winner, Young Concert Artists International Competition
Winner, Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions
Winner, Astral Artists National Auditions
Debut Artist Award Winner, Joy of Singing
Prize winners at the Palm Beach Opera Vocal Competition

Young Artist Programs

Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Program for Singers
Los Angeles Opera Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program
Lyric Opera of Chicago-Ryan Opera Center Ensemble
Merola Opera Program at the San Francisco Opera
Utah Opera Apprentice Artists Program

Summer Festivals

Aspen Music Festival and School
Britten-Pears Young Artist Programme
Chautauqua Music Festival
Music Academy of the West
SongFest
Tanglewood Music Center

Appearances with the Phoenix Symphony, American Symphony Orchestra, Albany Symphony, and Portland Baroque Orchestra.

Acceptances to post-graduate programs at Curtis Institute of Music, The Juilliard School, and New England Conservatory, among others.

Profiles

Sabrina Tabby '14

Where are you from? Philadelphia, PA
What are your two majors? French and Violin Performance

Who is your violin teacher? Laurie Smuckler

Why did you choose Bard? I chose Bard for a couple of reasons. First, the double degree. At a lot of schools I was looking at, I wanted the option to double major but after doing more research I found out that doing a double degree is really difficult. However, Bard’s Double Degree really fosters the idea of the Liberal Arts education and conservatory training, and I knew I would have a better chance of success studying at Bard.

Second, my teacher. Laurie teaches at a several schools but Bard was the only school that offered the double degree, so it was a win-win situation.

What is like to work with your teacher? It’s very easy to describe. Everything is in the name of music. According to Laurie, you serve the music. She wants you to have your own musical ideas and to be an educated musician and while following standard technique and musicianship, she doesn’t want you to become a cookie cutter, but a true thinking musician.

What do you think of the facilities? I think they’re fantastic. Actually, one of the great things about Bard college is that I can practice anywhere, literally, anywhere. Also, the Fisher Center is an amazing space to play in; I’m lucky to play there at least twice a week.

What other extra curricular musical activities do you take part in? I’m playing in Contemporaneus, a chamber ensemble that started at Bard a few years ago. Now, it’s based out of NYC and really taking off with rehearsals, performances and new music. I’m also in the Bard Baroque ensemble, that provides baroque bows and we rehearse at least once a week. It’s a really great to explore different styles and periods of playing.

What non-music things do you enjoy doing? Hanging out with friends. I live on campus, so late at night it’s easy to find people to wind down with.
What was your schedule for a recent day?

7:00am wake up

7:30 breakfast

8:30 practice

10:00 music history

12:00 lunch and practice

2:00 baroque ensemble

4:00 practice

6:00 chamber music

7:30 dinner and homework
Midnight - go to bed

What would you tell prospective students? I love being productive and you will be busy at Bard. Get ready. But every day I feel very accomplished whether be finishing a great rehearsal, writing a paper or composition I know I’ve had a great day, because I can look back at what I’ve accomplished that day. You’ll have to get used to going to sleep a little later than usual and will have to up your practicing, but that’s why I’m here. I’m that kind of person. I enjoy being busy.

Last five songs you listened to?

Tango(my walking to lunch music)

Joan Towers ‘Duets’

Barber Violin Concerto

Top 40 radio

Justin Timberlake(I’ve been known to listen to him)

What is the best advice you’ve received? My lesson last week with Laurie she told me “There will be people that like you. There will be people that don’t like you. But you’ve got to like yourself and be grateful for the ones that do.”

What surprised you about Bard? Everyday is a surprise at Bard College. You can be whomever you’d like to be at Bard. Dress how you would like, listen to any music you like, and live life how feel. I’ve become a stronger individual here, I think, because of this mindset.

What is your relationship between your two degrees at Bard? Playing any french composer I know all the directions in French on the music so that’s easy. I also have read French literature and read about French culture from the time in which many famous French composers composers were writing.

Also, My senior project is actually a combination of my two degrees. I wanted to find a topic that emphasized both degrees, not just doing a French translation or just music. My project is about the music scene in 1920’s Paris. It’s about American composers who went to Paris to study and compose. The topic is exciting to me and it will add a lot to my knowledge and background in music.

Favorite musical performance? A music festival in Paris, France--I feel so obnoxious mentioning France all the time, but French studies is a priority-- Anyways, I played Tchaikovsky Serenade for strings. There have been other performances, but that one, for some reason, has always stuck out.

What excites you most about this year? The European tour and my graduate school auditions--scary but exciting.

Where do you see yourself? I’ve really enjoyed playing in Contemporaneus and would love to freelance, but I know I want a master's degree first. I’d love to be in an orchestra; I know that, but I don’t want to limit myself and my career.

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