Vocalists at Lamont study with Catherine KaschMatthew 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. 

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

Faculty

 
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

Adjunct Faculty, Diction Pianist

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Sahar Nouri

Sahar Nouri

Assistant Professor, Opera

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  • voice lesson

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

  • 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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