B.M. Vocal Arts
The Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Arts at California State University Northridge offers classical vocal students a full range of opportunities to develop their singing voices in individual lessons, choral ensemble, opera, oratorio, and art song recital. Our diverse and welcoming faculty take each student's career aspirations seriously and they will work closely with you towards your goals. Students take classes in French, German, English and Italian diction, as well as pedagogy, song literature, performance techniques, opera scenes, choral ensembles, and have the opportunity to perform major opera roles. Operas are fully staged and costumed and performed in the original language with orchestra. The preparation of the Vocal Arts area classes, along with the thorough musical training received in our music core classes, provides young singers with excellent preparation for the professional world in their chosen area.
Students who audition for the BM in Vocal Arts should possess a strong background in academics as well as in vocal and musicianship training. Auditions are competitive because the CSU Northridge Vocal Arts department is a top destination for young singers with professional aspirations. Many of our students go on to national and international careers in opera, musical theatre, college-level teaching, and singing in professional choral ensembles.
The CSUN voice faculty have all enjoyed careers as versatile performers nationally and internationally. Our environment if warm and inclusive and each faculty member is truly dedicated to the success of their students. Our current voice faculty include:
- Dr. Hugo Vera, Chair of Vocal Arts and Opera
- Diane Ketchie-Saar
- Shigemi Matsumoto
- Erica Davis
- Joshua Wentz
- Mercedes Juan Musotto - Music Director of Opera
- Alexander Lansburgh, Principal Opera Pianist/Coach
For more information on choral ensembles and opera please view the ensemble pages. For any questions about our program, please contact Chair of Vocal Arts, Hugo Vera at hugo.vera@csun.edu.