Program Overview
Develop your technique and artistry while learning from and performing with world-renowned vocal artists.
Grow your artistry, build your technical facility, and expand your musical possibilities in a community of empowerment, collaboration, and support. Hone and challenge your performance skills with a diverse array of solo, chamber, and ensemble experiences in a variety of styles and genres. Dig into the transformational power of music through community outreach. Whether your interests are in performing, education, and/or entrepreneurship, become the versatile musician the world needs.
Program Highlights
Connect Vocal Training and Academic Study
Combine conservatory-level vocal training with a rigorous, nationally recognized education across the arts and sciences.
Perform in a Variety of Settings
Build confidence and experience through productions, concerts, informal performances, and masterclasses.
Prepare for Your Professional Future
Join graduates who continue into internationally recognized graduate and young artist programs, with music education graduates achieving a strong record of job placement.
Spotlight
Lawrentian Spotlight
Alumni Perspective
“I worked with Denyce Graves in a masterclass at Lawrence in March 2022. Never would I have thought that six months later, I would join her program, and five months after that be featured on national television with her. I’m still in awe of how everything has turned out.”
Hannah Jeané Jones ’22, Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program Music Performance (Voice) Houston, Texas
Types of Degrees
Degrees with Voice as Primary Instrument: Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Bachelor of Arts in Music, as well as a dual degree in Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and/or Music Education and a Bachelor of Arts in a college major, or a double major Bachelor of Arts in Music and a college major.
Advising
At Lawrence, academic advising helps you shape an educational experience that reflects your interests, goals, and aspirations. Your faculty advisor will support you as you plan your path, connect with campus resources and communities, and make informed decisions that prepare you for a meaningful and fulfilling future.
Faculty
You’ll be in good hands with professors who combine world-class artistry with a passion for teaching.
Chairs
Steven Paul Spears (they/them)
Associate Professor of Music
Steven Paul Spears is associate professor of music and, beginning in Summer 2023, Chair of the Voice Department. In addition to teaching studio voice and vocal literature, they teach the…
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Dale L. Duesing
Artist-in-Residence
Dale Duesing ’67 began his musical career as a child studying piano in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While at Lawrence he studied vocal performance, before going on to have an international vocal…
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John T. Gates
Visiting Assistant Professor of Music and Teacher of Voice
John T Gates, a member of the Lawrence voice faculty since 2005, was a bass soloist in German opera houses and concert halls (Mönchengladbach, Saarbrücken, Kiel, Wuppertal, and others) where…
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Estelí Gomez (she/her/hers)
Associate Professor of Music: Voice
Praised for her "clear, bright voice" (New York Times) and "artistry that belies her young years” (Kansas City Metropolis), soprano Estelí Gomez is quickly gaining recognition as a stylish interpreter…
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Shannon Gravelle (she/her)
Assistant Professor of Music – Choral Studies
Dr. Shannon Gravelle is assistant professor of music in the Conservatory of Music at Lawrence University, serving as Director of Choral Studies and music education faculty. In the summer, she…
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Karen Leigh-Post
Professor of Music and Teacher of Voice
Dr. Karen Leigh-Post, Professor of Music, Applied Voice, and Voice Science and Pedagogy, is an internationally recognized as a pioneer in the application of cognitive neuroscience in the voice studio, Dr.…
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Janet Planet
Lecturer of Music
Described as a “The voice of the new jazz culture with seemingly limitless expression” by Jazziz Magazine, the spirited and vivacious Janet Planet has been self-produced and managed for the majority of…
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Kristin L. Roach (she/her)
Assistant Professor of Music
Kristin Roach is a Grammy-nominated pianist and international conductor with 40+ new operas and 20+ world premieres under her baton. She has received nine American Prize nominations, including first prize…
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Cayla R. Rosche (she/her)
Lecturer of Music
Dr. Cayla Rosché recently completed her tenure as a Fulbright Scholar in Reykjavík teaching phonetics and continuing her research on Icelandic art song at Listaháskoli/Iceland University of the Arts, culminating…
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Phillip A. Swan
Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies
PHILLIP A. SWAN is Director of Choral Studies and Musical Director for LU Musicals. Dr. Swan primarily conducts Cantala; directs LUVS—LU Vocal Spectrum (jazz, early, contemporary and world music); teaches courses…
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Copeland Woodruff (he/him/his)
Mary and Michael Jaharis Director of Opera Studies and Associate Professor of Music
copeland.woodruff@lawrence.edu
Copeland Woodruff is currently the director of opera studies at Lawrence University, Conservatory of Music. He has been on the directing and production staffs of the New York City Opera,…
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Students work with faculty and fellow students in many settings. This will include choral concerts; productions where repertoire is selected based on the auditioning student body; voice area recitals; masterclasses with renowned artists; workshops on developing performing and technical concepts; coursework in voice science/pedagogy, stage diction and recitative, vocal literature, acting for singers, and many more.
