Voice Studio

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.

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.

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