Vocalists at Lamont study with Catherine Kasch, Matthew Plenk, Cody Laun, and Heidi Melton, 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.
Lamont regularly welcomes distinguished guest artists for masterclasses and recitals. Recent guests have included Christine Brewer, Michelle DeYoung, Ailyn Pérez, Greg Carpenter, and Stefano de Peppo.
As part of Lamont Opera Theatre, students gain first-hand experience in all aspects of a professional career by performing in our annual fully staged operas and musicals. Undergraduates hold a majority in the voice program, and are frequently cast in major roles in productions. Voice students will also sing in our choirs, and have the opportunity to explore jazz. They rehearse and perform in the state-of-the-art Newman Center for the Performing Arts.
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.
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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.
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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.
Faculty
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Catherine Kasch teaches a voice lesson to MM student Jenny Thompson.
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Opera music director, Sahar Nouri.
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Lamont Opera Theatre.
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Lamont Opera Theatre's production of "Die Fledermaus."
