Recent Opera Graduates

Many graduates from Lawrence's voice and opera departments have gone on to build stellar careers at multiple opera companies, continued their education at the graduate level, performed at major music festivals and workshops, or now have voice studios of their own.  Below is a list of recent LU graduates and their achievements after Lawrence.

The opera program is also award winning!  Recently, Lawrence students have received first prize at the National Opera Association-Collegiate Opera Scenes competition, Division 1 (2016), and second prize at the National Opera Association-Best Opera Production (2015).

1993 Tim Augustin, tenor:  Army Chorus, Washington National Opera
1995 Allison Hull, mezzo: Skylight, Glimmerglass
1998 Keith Harris, baritone: MET, NY City Opera, Tampa, Lyrique en Mer
1998 Robb Asklof, tenor: Duluth Minnesota Opera
2000 Heidi Stober, soprano: Central City, Utah Opera, Houston, Berlin, San Francisco, Boston, St. Louis, MET, Colorado
2003 Jennifer Mathews, soprano: Washington Opera Chorus
2003 Margaret Ozaki, soprano: Central City, Evergreen Chorale
2006 Spencer Dorn, baritone: Montana Lyric,
2006 Caitlin Cisler, soprano: Madison Opera, Dayton, Intermountain Opera
2006 Laura Muller, soprano: Minnesota and Madison Opera Choruses
2008 Grant Anderson, baritone: Madison Opera Chorus
2008 Andrew Lovato, baritone: Santa Fe, Central City, Minnesota
2008 Emily Birsan, soprano: Lyric; COT
2009 Christopher Besch, baritone: Skylight, Naples, Colorado, Aspen, Castleton, Houston Grand
2009 Lacey Benter, mezzo: Central City, St. Louis,
2009 Jane Hulburt, mezzo:  Asst, COT
2009 Alisa Jordheim, soprano: Central City, Florentine, Merola, Madison Opera, Emerald City, Cincinnati
2010 Garth Neustadter, baritone: LA Operas, 
2010 Molly Wilson, soprano: New Orleans Chorus
2010 Justin Berkowitz, tenor: COT, Naples, St. Petersburg
2014 Natasha Foley, soprano: Kentucky Opera Chorus

Several Lawrence students have continued their education at the graduate level, receiving Masters, Doctorates, and DMAs.  Graduate schools include:

• The Julliard School 
• Manhattan School of Music
• Mannes School of Music
• Peabody Conservatory
• New England Conservatory
• Eastman School of Music
• Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
• Shepard School of Music at Rice University 
• San Francisco Conservatory
• Indiana University
• University of Missouri-Kansas City
• Northwestern University
• University of Wisconsin-Madison
• University of Arizona

In addition to performing professionally and attending graduate schools, Lawrence students often pursue alternative career paths in the arts, including:

• Teaching (public schools, universities, private studios)
• Arts Administration
• Arts Management
• Music Admissions
• Ethnomusicology
• Conducting
• Church music
• Opera Direction
• Cruise Ship work