The members of the voice faculty are dedicated, experienced teachers and active performers and/or researchers in the fields of vocal literature and vocal pedagogy. All belong to the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Their students have won numerous national and regional competitions, held apprenticeships with the Santa Fe Opera, Houston Opera, Chicago Lyric Opera, and Central City Opera, and won the Metropolitan Opera Auditions at the national level. Graduates are teaching in universities throughout the United States and Canada and performing in major opera houses and concert halls all over the world.
Various programs of graduate level study include the DMA in vocal performance and pedagogy and two MM degrees in vocal performance and performance pedagogy. Undergraduate programs include the BM in vocal performance and music theatre, the BME, and the BA with an emphasis in voice.
Master classes given by distinguished visiting faculty such as Martin Isepp, Elly Ameling, Dalton Baldwin, Frederica von Stade, Marilyn Horne, and Martin Katz are regularly held at the College of Music. Performance opportunities for voice students include recitals, choral ensembles, and fully staged productions of operas, operettas, and musicals. Guest directors and conductors such as Tony Award winner Mark Medoff, William Mooney, and Martin Isepp regularly visit the College of Music to enhance the students' experience in the CU Opera Program.
Both undergraduate and graduate vocal students are eligible for several substantial scholarships and fellowships. Graduate students are also awarded teaching assistantships in voice and opera. In addition, vocal graduate students are frequently contracted to perform with local professional music organizations such as Opera Colorado, the Central City Opera, and the Colorado Symphony.
Department Chair:
Patti Peterson
Department Faculty:
Jennifer Bird-Arvidsson, soprano
Joel Burcham, tenor
Nicholas Carthy, CU Opera Conductor
Bonnie Draina, studio voice and vocal pedagogy
Jeffrey Gemmell, Associate Director of Choirs
Leigh Holman, Director of CU Opera
Lawrence Kaptein, Director of Choral Activities
Patrick Mason, baritone
Mutsumi Moteki, vocal coach
Patti Peterson, soprano
Julie Simson, mezzo-soprano
Christopher Zemliauskas, vocal coach
Department Web Site:
http://www.colorado.edu/music/voice/
Opera Links:
CU Opera
Private Voice Lessons
If you are interested in taking private voice lessons, please send us an email at vocaldpt@colorado.edu. Please include your contact information and your specific areas of interest for vocal studies. Messages are monitored regularly. This referral service is available to the general public as well as members of the CU community.
Contact Information (Department Chair):
Email: patti.peterson@colorado.edu
Office Location: Room N110, Imig Music Building
Office Phone: 303-492-5866
Mailing Address: 301 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0301 | 
