University Spotlight: University of Michigan
In this column, we spotlight amazing vocal programs and highlight how they’re helping singers!
University of Michigan
School of Music, Theatre & Dance
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What Makes You Unique
The Department of Voice & Opera is a vibrant and diverse community dedicated to fostering artistic excellence and academic rigor. Through our broad curriculum, private voice lessons, specialized coaching in operatic and song literature, and intensive language training, our students develop the technical proficiency and expressive depth necessary to excel in today’s artistic landscape.
Central to our department is our robust opera program, offering a holistic approach to the art of opera performance. Students have opportunities to study and perform operatic works across the breadth of the standard and emerging repertoire, from Baroque to the 21st century. For both undergraduate and graduate students, our curriculum encompasses many other essential elements to building a successful and sustainable career in today’s opera landscape, including acting, body movement, stagecraft, audition techniques, and navigation of the business aspects of a career in opera.
A wide range of additional courses includes African American Art Song, Oratorio Repertoire, Vocal Chamber Music, Czech Vocal Literature, and performance classes in European and American Art Song. Our curricular offerings are enhanced by frequent master classes and residencies of guest artists and industry professionals, who provide additional insights and networking opportunities.
We empower emerging artists by championing diversification of repertoire and performance techniques, embracing innovative approaches to pedagogy, and amplifying traditionally underrepresented voices of wide-ranging backgrounds and identities.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
The School of Music, Theatre & Dance commits more than $3 million annually in scholarships for admitted students. These scholarships are merit-based and need-informed, which means we reward artistic and academic excellence, while also considering the financial resources available to the student. SMTD merit scholarships are supplemental and primarily awarded based on the audition a student completes. Although we are not able to offer scholarships to all admitted students, every year we endeavor to assist as many students as possible. All admitted students are considered for a scholarship from SMTD, with the exception of students who are admitted to the BA in Music, BM in Musicology, or BM in Music Theory programs. SMTD scholarships are renewable for a total of four years for undergraduate students and a total of two years for graduate students.
Besides merit scholarships, need-based financial aid is also available through the broader University of Michigan. Applicants will need to submit their need-based financial aid application by March 1 to be considered. More information is available at https://finaid.umich.edu/.
Performance Opportunities & Events
Students studying voice performance have the opportunity to perform in three different choirs, plus the Department of Voice & Opera’s two annual mainstage opera productions and regular opera workshops. More information about performance opportunities can be found on our website https://smtd.umich.edu/performance-opportunities/. For the 2025-2026 school year, there are two upcoming mainstage productions presented by the Department of Voice & Opera and the University Symphony Orchestra: The Marriage of Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro), running November 6-9 in the Power Center for the Performing Arts, and Semele, running March 26-29 in the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre. More information about opera at Michigan is available here https://smtd.umich.edu/department/voice-opera/.
Additional performance opportunities are available to students through student organizations on campus! Many of our students participate in student-run a cappella or theatre groups. Search for student organizations by keyword on the University’s student engagement database here https://maizepages.umich.edu/.
Notable Alumni
Ingrid Kuribayashi (SM ’26, soprano) is a new member of the Florida Grand Opera Studio Program, in addition to winning an Encouragement Award in the 2025 Camille Coloratura Competition.
Bethany Worrell (DMA ’23, soprano) is Director of Vocal Studies and Assistant Professor of Voice at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Meridian Prall (MM ’20, mezzo) won the Metropolitan Opera’s Lafont Competition in 2024. Samuel Kidd (BM ’19, bass-baritone) Grand Semi-Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera’s Lafont Competition in 2025.
Jessica (Qirong) Liang (MM ’24, mezzo) Grand Semi-Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera’s Lafont Competition in 2024.
Ashley Dixon (MM ’15, mezzo) won the Metropolitan Opera’s Lafont Competition in 2018.
Carlos Santelli (MM ’16, tenor) won the Metropolitan Opera’s Lafont Competition in 2018.
Other Notes
Prospective students are encouraged to reach out directly to our faculty to request a meeting or trial lesson! A list of our applied voice faculty in the Department of Voice & Opera is available below. Their individual bios and contact information can be found on our website here https://smtd.umich.edu/department/voice-opera/.
- Freda Herseth (mezzo-soprano – retiring after the 2025-26 school year)
- Valdis Jansons (baritone)
- Caitlin Lynch (soprano)
- Stanford Olsen (tenor)
- Louise Toppin (soprano)
- Daniel Washington (bass-baritone)
- Stephen West (bass-baritone – Department Chair)
Want to learn more about SMTD? Schedule a tour or register for an online information session on our website here https://smtd.umich.edu/admissions/tour-and-explore-campus/.
