“At Longy, world-class, working musicians help you develop your art and technique—and we also model what a modern music career looks like. While you’re building your own artistic identity, you’re honing the skills to forge the career that’s right for you.”
— Corrine Byrne
Anne Azéma
Pamela Dellal
Tyler Duncan
Angela Gooch
Ana Guigui
Kudisan Kai*
Carol Mastrodomenico
Jeffrey Mattsey
Sandra Piques Eddy*
Tyler Reece
Karyl Ryczek
Christopher Sierra
David Small
Ryan Turner
Dana Varga
Jayne West
Vocal Coaches
Libor Dudas*
Brian Moll*
Noriko Yasuda*, opera coach
*no private studio
Guided by an exceptional faculty, students in Longy’s Vocal Studies Department learn and perform across multiple styles and genres—from fully staged operas, staged art songs, and newly composed works, to cantatas and oratorios, and contemporary improvisation. Longy singers have opportunities to work with distinguished local organizations, including our professional opera company-in-residence MassOpera—as well as partners such as Boston Camerata and Castle of Our Skins.
Course HIGHLIGHTS
Gender Benders and Trend Disruptors
Perform nineteenth-century lieder that would traditionally be off-limits to your voice type, gender, or sexuality. Separate lieder from its cis-heteronormative, male-centric worldview and bring it into the twenty-first century with alternative character perspectives.
From Boston to Broadway: How to Sing Musical Theatre Songs
Performing musical theatre contributes to your holistic training as a vocalist, actor,
and performer. Learn modern performance techniques and delve into a character to unlock your potential as a well-rounded singer.
Studio Lessons: Collaboration with a faculty mentor is the cornerstone of conservatory education at Longy. Together you will explore your unique artistic and professional goals while expanding technical and musical insight. Students are encouraged to pursue their particular interests with faculty whose specialties include lieder, mélodie, opera, new music, musical theater, and oratorio.
Masterclasses and Seminars: Through workshops, masterclasses, discussions, and presentations, weekly seminars offer singers exposure to many topics including coaching, stylistic interpretation, movement, dramatic presentation, auditioning, and career issues. Recent guests have included Lynn Torgove, Wolfgang Brendel, and Martin Katz. Through a special partnership with Celebrity Series of Boston, emerging artists in its Debut Series present exclusive workshops and master classes with Longy students throughout the year.
Performance Courses: Course rotation allows students to explore a wide range of focused repertoires including:
Opera Theater: Students receive focused training for opera auditions and coaching toward concert performances of operatic scenes while learning to prepare roles with coaches and pianists.
Vocal Chamber Ensembles: Singers benefit tremendously from developing strong ensemble skills. Assignments change each term based on student interests and faculty guidance, ranging from small and varied chamber groups to singing with the chamber orchestra.
Pedagogy: We believe that teaching should be a form of heightened, enlivened communication. Rather than focusing solely on acquiring pedagogical skills, we seek to draw out your latent expertise and help you communicate authentically. Students are placed in partnering schools and youth music organizations for a teaching practicum.
Repertoire, Diction, and Languages: Coursework addresses the fundamentals necessary for building a solid vocal foundation. The standard repertoire is thoroughly examined, and students develop command of proper diction in English, French, German, and Italian. Students also study the major languages of opera and song.
Teaching Artist Program: Required of all students, this two-semester program includes active learning experiences, discussions, foundational readings, and interactive presentations. It culminates in student-designed and student-led musical projects in various community venues throughout the Greater Boston area.
“The artist’s role in society is the reason I was drawn to Longy. Art has given me the freedom I need to express myself and what I believe in. It isn’t just a product of creative thought and ideas but is also a world-changing tool.”
— Danny Rivera
