The Manhattan School of Music
Set in one of the world’s greatest cities, Manhattan School of Music has contributed to the vibrant culture of New York City for over 85 years. It is one of the premier private music conservatories in the nation, with nearly 275 faculty members dedicated to shaping over 800 students from 40 countries into world-class musicians.
Manhattan School of Music’s reputation for excellence in the field of opera is nationally and internationally renowned. Graduate students are accepted by audition into the Opera Studio, which is headed by Gordon Ostrowski. They are then chosen from this program to participate in major full-length productions (as the Opera Theater) and to present programs of scenes with orchestra and/or piano during the season. Manhattan School of Music presents two fully staged productions each year spanning the classical and contemporary repertoire and has been praised by the New York Times for its significant contribution to operatic life in New York. Students accepted into the Opera Studio also receive a comprehensive outreach training program which includes a children’s opera.
Another important element of our opera program is the Opera Workshop, which provides an appropriate venue for singers to develop stagecraft and dramatic interpretation as well as gain additional performance experience. Dona D. Vaughn, acting instructor of the Lindemann Young Artists Program at the Metropolitan Opera, directs this Opera Workshop, as well as our Undergraduate Opera Theater, which is required of all junior and senior voice majors.
