Mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe is considered one of the most highly respected and critically acclaimed artists of her generation. Her repertoire ranges from Handel to Wagner, German lieder to contemporary and classic American song. Blythe has performed on many of the world’s great stages, such as Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden, the Paris National Opera, and the San Francisco, Chicago Lyric, and Seattle Operas. In addition to leading the artistic vision of the Vocal Arts Program, she will be in residence at Bard, teaching Core Seminar III, leading the weekly Singer’s Forum, directing the Opera Workshop, and offering biweekly private coaching sessions. Ms. Blythe succeeds American soprano Dawn Upshaw, who conceived and designed the Graduate Vocal Arts Program and led it from its founding in 2006 until 2019.
“I have dreamed of joining the academic world for some time, but assuredly, becoming part of the VAP at Bard is beyond my wildest dreams. I look forward to continuing the legacy created by Dawn Upshaw—to upholding the musical and educational values of the VAP, while looking ahead to the future development of this marvelous and singular program.”
Throughout the course of the program, each singer is offered opportunities to perform works drawn from the song, oratorio, and operatic repertoires. Singers work in collaboration with pianists, instrumentalists, and orchestra—in recital, oratorio, and fully staged operatic productions.
