Department of Voice
The Department of Voice is a vibrant and diverse community dedicated to fostering artistic excellence and academic rigor. Through our broad curriculum, private voice lessons, specialized coachings in operatic and song literature, and intensive language training, our students develop the technical proficiency and expressive depth necessary to excel in today’s artistic landscape.
Central to our department is our robust opera program, offering a holistic approach to the art of opera performance. Students have opportunities to study and perform operatic works across the breadth of the standard and emerging repertoire, from Baroque to the 21st century. For both undergraduate and graduate students, our curriculum encompasses many other essential elements to building a successful and sustainable career in today’s opera landscape, including acting, body movement, stagecraft, audition techniques, and navigation of the business aspects of a career in opera.
A wide range of additional courses includes African American Art Song, Oratorio Repertoire, Vocal Chamber Music, Czech Vocal Literature, and performance classes in European and American Art Song. Our curricular offerings are enhanced by frequent master classes and residencies of guest artists and industry professionals, who provide additional insights and networking opportunities.
Rooted in our tradition of commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, we empower emerging artists by championing diversification of repertoire and performance techniques, embracing innovative approaches to pedagogy, and amplifying traditionally under-represented voices of wide-ranging backgrounds and identities.
Faculty
The Department of Voice boasts a seasoned and outstanding faculty, with a wealth of performance, teaching, and research experience. At Michigan, private study goes beyond a weekly appointment. Professors are accessible and involved mentors, deeply committed to their students’ growth as individuals as well as musicians. The faculty’s range of experience creates an incomparable in-house resource, while their commitment to teaching provides students with the foundation and real-world guidance needed to flourish in today’s musical landscape.

Timothy Cheek

Thomas Hampson

Freda Herseth

Stephen Lusmann

Caitlin Lynch

Amanda Majeski

Rose Mannino

Stanford Olsen

Scott Piper

Kirk Severtson

George I. Shirley

Matthew Thompson

Louise Toppin

Daniel Washington

Stephen West

Mo Zhou
Degrees

Undergraduate
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Musical Arts
Graduate
Master of Music
Specialist in Music
Doctor of Musical Arts
Opera at Michigan
Opportunities abound for students to refine their performance skills at SMTD, including two fully produced mainstage operas each year, two smaller-scale chamber operas, workshops of new works, opera scenes programs, and student-initiated performance projects.
Current Season
Opera at Michigan is a highly collaborative endeavor, bringing together faculty and students in the Department of Voice, players from SMTD’s two stellar orchestras, faculty and student designers and stage managers in the Department of Theatre & Drama, and staff in University Productions, to present our two mainstage opera productions each year. The fall semester production is performed in the Power Center, and the winter semester production is in the historic Mendelssohn Theatre. The chamber operas are performed in smaller venues, providing students the opportunity to learn performance skills appropriate to a variety of non-traditional spaces.
Orpheus in the Underworld (Orphée aux enfers)
November 2 at 7:30 pm
November 3 & 4 at 8:00 pm
November 5 at 2:00 pm
Department of Voice and University Symphony Orchestra
Operetta composed by Jacques Offenbach
Libretto by Hector Crémieux & Ludovic Halévy
Sung in French with dialogue in English
Directed by Mo Zhou
Power Center for the Performing Arts
Reserved Seating $30/$24
Students w/ ID $13
Elizabeth Cree
March 21 at 7:30 pm
March 22 & 23 at 8:00 pm
March 24 at 2:00 pm
Department of Voice and University Philharmonia Orchestra
Composed by Kevin Puts
Libretto by Mark Campbell
Sung in English
Conducted by Kirk Severtson
Directed by Gregory Keller
Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre
Reserved Seating $30/$24
Students w/ ID $13

Chamber Opera: Gianni Schicchi
November 30 at 7:30 pm (livestream option)
December 1 at 8:00 pm
Department of Voice
McIntosh Theatre, Earl V. Moore Building
Free, no tickets required
Conductor: Kirk Severtson
Stage Director: Mo Zhou
John Morefield, piano
Recent Productions
Our Stories
About George I. Shirley, Joseph Edgar Maddy Distinguished University Emeritus Professor of Voice
- Access Shirley’s creative:impact radio interview
- The George Shirley Vocal Competition is held annually
- The George Shirley Voice Scholarship Fund endowment provides need-based scholarship support for undergraduate voice majors.
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Most applications for 2024-2025 are due by December 1 – check for exact dates on the appropriate admissions page below.
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