Vocal Studies Faculty

I have committed most of my 20 year teaching career dedicated to the artistic development and vocal health of young singers. My passion lies with singers who are looking for technique, confidence, and the discovery of tools to create their own process. I love developing the young artist and watching them grow! While I am a very firm teacher, I have also been described as a nurturer. I never want a student to settle for less than their best, therefore I continue to explore options to make their better, their best.
— Angela Gooch

Angela Gooch, Interim Chair of Vocal Studies

Vocal and Harpsichord students

Program Highlights

Guided by an exceptional faculty, students in Longy’s Vocal Studies Department learn and perform across multiple styles and genres, including fully staged operas, staged art songs, newly composed works, cantatas, oratorios, and contemporary improvisation. Longy singers have opportunities to work with distinguished, vibrant organizations like the Boston Camerata, MassOpera, Boston Opera Collaborative, 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.

Broadway: Agent of Change
Consider how Musical Theater has created social change through its composition, production, and societal reach. Survey three musicals whose impact can still be felt today: The Color Purple, Next to Normal, and Fun House.

More Program Highlights

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:

  • American Art Song
  • French Mélodie
  • American Songbook
  • Songs of Hugo Wolf
  • European and American Cabaret

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.

DEGREE & DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS

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