Voice Studio

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Lamont’s voice studio prepares students to thrive in a professional environment while nurturing their creative instincts. You’ll rehearse and perform in the state-of-the-art Newman Center for Performing Arts, where our voice students explore opera, musical theatre, choir and jazz.

Vocalists at Lamont study with esteemed faculty members, Sara Bardill, Catherine Kasch, Judith Christin and Matthew Plenk, who have over five decades of combined experience in performance and teaching. Sahar Nouri is music director for Lamont Opera Theatre. Students also get to work on their foreign language diction with Beth Nielsen, who is equally versed in opera, art song, chamber music and musical theater.

Pre-Screening Recording

All Voice majors must submit a pre-screen audition video via the Lamont application. The contents of the recording should include two (2) contrasting selections. For graduate applicants, this should include one (1) opera aria.

To receive priority consideration, please submit your pre-screen no later than January 15. Recordings received after this date will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants who pass the pre-screen audition will be invited to perform a live audition on a regular audition date. Although recordings do not need to be professional or studio recordings, submitting a video with excellent audio quality is highly recommended.
Live Audition

Applicants will preference their top two (2) audition dates for a live audition in Denver on the Lamont application. All auditions are approximately 20 minutes in length. The applicant will choose one of their prepared works to perform. The faculty will choose the second of the prepared works and possibly an additional work as well.
Applicants Unable to Travel to Denver

While Lamont faculty prefer to have applicants audition on campus, those unable to travel to Denver for a live audition may submit an unedited video audition in lieu of the on-campus audition. Recordings received after January 15 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This video should be uploaded through the Lamont application.

Audition Requirements

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 asked for at your 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

See requirements for the artist diploma.

See requirements for jazz voice.

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.
Perform melodic memory and sight reading tests