After Graduation

As students, several Vocal Arts alumni benefitted from the generous scholarship support of donors like Drs. Barbara and Bill Given.

MSU voice graduates have gone on to sing leading roles at major American, European, and Asian opera houses and on Broadway. They have appeared as soloists with many of America’s prominent symphony orchestras and choral societies. In addition, they have produced recordings and have received numerous competitive awards.

Many undergraduate alumni continue their education at prominent graduate school programs or are placed in public school teaching positions. Graduates earning Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees have been placed in tenure-track teaching positions at colleges and universities across the globe.

Some recent placements include apprenticeships with the Merola Young Artist Program (San Francisco Opera), the Houston Grand Opera Studio, the Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Program for Singers, the Seattle Opera Young Artist Program, and the Chautauqua Opera Studio and Apprentice Program.

Recent undergraduates have been accepted to the following graduate programs with significant support: Indiana University, Juilliard, Curtis Institute of Music, New England Conservatory, University of Illinois, University of Michigan, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, DePaul University, University of Houston Opera Program, UMKC Conservatory of Music, University of North Texas, among other prominent graduate programs throughout the country.

MSU graduate and undergraduate students have recently won numerous awards, including Metropolitan Opera Outstanding Young Artist, Metropolitan Opera District Winners and Regional Finalists, and Metropolitan Opera National Council Winner, Richard Tucker Foundation winner, George London Foundation winner, Placido Domingo International Zarzuela Competition winner, and Opera Competition finalist.

Alum Brian Major made his debut at The Met in its 2022 production of La Traviata.