Lamont offers an exceptional environment for vocalists, combining individualized instruction with world-class resources and performance opportunitiesOur department is vibrant and collaborative, where vocalists challenge and support one another in pursuit of artistic excellence. Guided by Professors Catherine Kasch, Matthew Plenk, Heidi Melton, and Cody Laun, students engage in intensive private lessons, coachings, performance class, large ensembles, and masterclasses with renowned guest artists. In Lamont’s voice studio, students celebrate each other’s successes and push one another to reach new artistic heights.

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Audition Requirements

Voice Auditions

Studying Voice at Lamont

At Lamont, voice students thrive in a warm, vibrant, and close-knit community where technical training and personal growth go hand in hand. Our four voice faculty—each with distinct pedagogical strengths and acclaimed careers—offer students the flexibility to study with the teacher who helps them sound and feel their best. Whether you're preparing for a professional opera career or simply refining your artistry, faculty are deeply invested in building your vocal technique and confidence, empowering you to make expressive, musical decisions.

With a healthy balance of undergraduate and graduate singers, young vocalists benefit from frequent stage time and personalized attention. Each year includes a fully staged opera production with professional sets, costumes, and lighting, plus additional concerts throughout the year featuring both opera scenes and art songs. Regular performance classes, diction in four languages, access to expert vocal coaches, and a weekly large ensemble rehearsal ensure that your schedule is rich with growth opportunities.

Large enough for world-class productions, yet small enough that you’ll know everyone by name, Lamont is a truly supportive place to grow your voice—and your confidence—while tapping into Denver’s vibrant performing arts scene, full of both paid and volunteer opportunities. If you’re looking for a place to grow as a musician, artist, and individual, Lamont’s voice studios offer a vibrant and supportive home.

45-60 voice students at Lamont

3 opera performances per year

4 choirs at Lamont

Faculty

The Lamont School of Music voice faculty brings a wealth of experience, artistry, and dedication to student success. Prof. Catherine Kasch is Chair of Lamont’s voice department and combines over 35 years of teaching with expertise in vocal pedagogy and health. Tenor Matthew Plenk, a Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artist alum and frequent Met performer, offers deep operatic insight alongside his active performance career. Grammy-winning dramatic soprano Heidi Melton, acclaimed for her Wagnerian roles worldwide, also brings extensive teaching and masterclass experience. Prof. Cody Laun is an awarded soloist who regularly performs throughout the region in the many phenomenal ensembles Colorado has to offer. Collaborative pianist and vocal coach Beth Nielsen, with training from USC and broad experience in opera and art song, supports singers’ diction and performance skills. Prof. Sahar Nouri, Music Director of Lamont Opera Theater and longtime Opera Colorado chorus master, combines international coaching expertise with dynamic leadership in opera productions. Together, this team fosters a close-knit, supportive community where singers develop technique, artistry, and confidence to excel on stage and beyond.

Catherine Kasch

Catherine Kasch

Teaching Associate Professor, Voice

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Matthew Plenk

Matthew Plenk

Associate Professor, Voice

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Heidi Melton

Heidi Melton

Assistant Professor, Voice

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Cody Laun

Cody Laun

Adjunct Faculty, Voice

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Beth Nielsen

Beth Nielsen

Accompanist; Adjunct Faculty, Diction Pianist

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Sahar Nouri

Sahar Nouri

Assistant Professor, Opera

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Voice students perform in Opera Scenes concert

Auditions

Applicants may choose to either audition in person in Denver OR submit a recorded video audition.

Applications received after January 15 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. You may indicate your preference for a live or virtual audition on the Lamont application.

Click here to view the current year’s audition dates and the full steps for how to apply.

  • In-Person Audition Requirements
    All auditions are approximately 15 minutes in length. The applicant will choose one of their prepared works to perform. The faculty may choose to hear a second of the prepared works. Graduate applicants may be asked to perform an additional work as well.
    Undergraduate (BM and BA)
    • Two (2) pieces, with at least one of them classical in nature, preferably of contrasting character, exhibiting your skill, technique and understanding of musical phrasing and expression.
    • Technical skills and sight reading tests may be requested at a live audition.

     

    Undergraduate (Minor)
    • One piece exhibiting your skill, technique, and understanding of musical phrasing and expression.
    • Technical skills and sight reading tests may be requested at a live audition.

     

    Graduate (MM and Certificate in Performance)

    Perform all compositions from memory:

    • Five (5) classical voice selections, including at least one operatic aria and at least three (3) art songs. In addition to English, at least three (3) languages, such as Italian, French, German or Spanish, must be represented.
    • Technical skills and sight reading tests may be requested at a live audition.

     

    Review Requirements for Artist Diploma

  • Video Audition Requirements
    Applicants unable to travel to Denver for a live audition may submit a video audition via the Lamont application. Voice applicants who select the recorded audition option will also be scheduled for a Zoom interview with the faculty upon submission of their application. Repertoire may be recorded separately in multiple takes; editing within each take is prohibited.
    Undergraduate (BM and BA)
    • Two (2) pieces, with at least one of them classical in nature, preferably of contrasting character, exhibiting your skill, technique and understanding of musical phrasing and expression.
    • Technical skills and sight reading tests may be requested at a live audition.

     

    Undergraduate (Minor)
    • One piece exhibiting your skill, technique, and understanding of musical phrasing and expression.
    • Technical skills and sight reading tests may be requested at a live audition.

     

    Graduate (MM and Certificate in Performance)

    Perform all compositions from memory:

    • Five (5) classical voice selections, including at least one operatic aria and at least three (3) art songs. In addition to English, at least three (3) languages, such as Italian, French, German or Spanish, must be represented.
    • Technical skills and sight reading tests may be requested at a live audition.

     

    Review Requirements for Artist Diploma

View Jazz Requirements

Life After Lamont

Notable Voice Alumni

Lamont students have worked with some of the most prestigious music organizations in the world. Alumni have performed with the Metropolitan Opera, Philadelphia Orchestra, Wolf Trap, Vancouver Symphony, Broadway, the West End, and San Francisco Opera. Lamont composers have premiered works at Carnegie Hall and the Monterey Jazz Festival, and conductors have led orchestras from Brazil to Hungary. Graduates of our Musicology and music theory programs hold posts at prestigious institutions nationwide. And our recording and production students have launched careers in Hollywood, editing soundtracks for films like Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

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    Sarah Cambidge Chastain - BM, MM 2013

    Alder Fellow, San Francisco Opera; Aunt Lydia in San Francisco’s production of The Handmaid’s Tale

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    Jenna Bainbridge - BM 2014

    Cast as Nessarose in Wicked on Broadway

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    George Arvidson - BM 2014

    The Outpost; West End tour of Les Mis

  • Lamont Chorale performs with the Lamont Symphony Orchestra in year-end season finale

    Lamont Chorale performs with the Lamont Symphony Orchestra in year-end season finale.

  • voice lesson

    Catherine Kasch teaches a voice lesson to MM student Jenny Thompson.

  • Lamont opera students perform in recent production of Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream

    Lamont opera students perform in recent production of Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

  • Sahar Nouri

    Opera music director, Sahar Nouri.

  • Opera

    Lamont Opera Theatre.

  • Fledermaus

    Lamont Opera Theatre's production of "Die Fledermaus." 

university buildings at night

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