In this column, we spotlight amazing vocal programs and highlight how they’re helping singers!

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Mead Witter School of Music

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Our voice and opera program is large enough to do two full productions plus two programs of opera scenes each year, but small enough so that undergraduate students get significant performance opportunities in both. We’ve won 10 awards from the National Opera Association in the last 11 years as well as 5 national awards from The American Prize. We also pride ourselves in truly giving personalized attention to individual students. No matter which studio a student is in, they get to interact with the entire voice and opera faculty, who are dedicated to helping guide them towards the next step of their journey in music.

Scholarships are available for in-state and out-of-stage undergraduate applicants. Fellowships and teaching assistantships are available for graduate students. Please consult our directors of undergraduate (admissions@music.wisc.edu) and graduate (gpm@music.wisc.edu) admissions for details.

2024-25: Songbird, Suor Angelica, A Little Night Music plus opera scenes

2025-26: The Marriage of Figaro, Ned Rorem’s Our Town, plus opera scenes. Special guest master classes with Joyce Di Donato, Lawrence Brownlee, and Erin Morley.

Brenda Rae, Emily Birsan, Nathaniel Stampley, Sarah Brailey, Julia Foster Rottmayer, Jeni Houser, Luis Orozco

In addition to all the opportunities that our program offers, Madison WI is a fantastic place to live and go to school. It’s a wonderfully vibrant small-ish city (population ca. 250,000) with a fantastic arts scene and offers so much. Come visit!

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