»Vocal Performance

Your vocal journey at Chapman! 

At Chapman, opera roles and various solos are performed by undergraduate singers, meaning you'll have opportunities to shine on stage from day one. 

Throughout the semester, the Vocal Studies area welcomes guest artists who present masterclasses, workshops, and performances — giving you direct access to working professionals in the field alongside your regular training.

• Masterclass with Met Opera star and Chapman alum Ben Bliss - Observe accomplished tenor work with current Chapman voice students on polishing their repertoire.

• Experience a collegiate choral rehearsal - See Chapman singers in action during a rehearsal of Voxtext, our pre-professional chamber vocal ensemble of eight singers. The ensemble provides students with opportunities to develop advanced musicianship and prepare for professional choral performance. 

• Workshop your own piece with Chapman voice faculty - Bring a piece you’re preparing and workshop it with Chapman voice faculty in a supportive, small-group setting.

• Take a guided tour of the Musco Center for the Arts - Explore Chapman’s world-class performing arts venue and see where our students gain hands-on experience in performance, production, and technical training. 

• Attend the opening night of Opera Chapman's fall production - Enjoy Opera Chapman's fall production, featuring Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Telephone and the American premiere of Claude Arrieu’s La cabine téléphonique. Complementary tickets are provided. 

• Observe a UC Singers Rehearsal - Get an inside look at UC Singers, Chapman’s select chamber ensemble featuring advanced SATB repertoire spanning the Renaissance through contemporary music. The ensemble includes primarily music majors and performs throughout the academic year.

• Meet Chapman faculty & students - Connect with Chapman voice faculty and current students in an informal setting. Ask questions, learn about the student experience, and get a feel for what it’s like to study music at Chapman.

• Audition Workshop - Experience a college-style voice audition in a relaxed setting. You’ll perform a solo piece for Chapman voice faculty and have the opportunity to workshop your selection with a small audience.

Our program offers specialized vocal studies classes for undergraduate singers, taught by our expert faculty, including Alexander Technique, Page to Stage, and Popular Singing Styles. You'll also have regular performance opportunities through weekly Studio Classes, Vocal Forums, and the conservatory's Music at Noon series.

Majors

The following majors include coursework in Vocal Studies and weekly private instruction from our faculty:

• Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Performance – Voice Emphasis
• Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Pre-Music Education Certification with a Vocal Emphasis
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Music with a Vocal Emphasis
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Music, Music Industry Studies Emphasis

By the time you graduate, you'll be prepared to:

• Perform with confidence and artistry — Develop your voice as a soloist through advanced technique, stylistically informed performance practice, and a wide range of musical styles and genres.
• Build musicianship — Develop fluent musicianship skills, including music theory, aural skills, sight reading, basic piano proficiency, and an understanding of music technology and improvisation.
• Collaborate and lead — Rehearse and perform alongside your peers in ensembles, recitals, and full opera productions, while gaining real leadership experience and professional opportunities that prepare you for a career as a performer.
• Teach and share your artistry — Learn pedagogical techniques specific to the voice, equipping you to teach and mentor future generations of singers.

Performance Opportunities

• Solo recitals, including junior and senior recitals
• Opera Chapman (audition required)
• Choral Ensembles (University Singers, University Choir, University Treble Choir)
• Vocal Jazz Ensemble
• The annual concerto competition and solo concerto performances with The Chapman Orchestra
• Student-run organizations, such as Chapman on Broadway and several a cappella groups

Program Faculty

The Vocal Studies program is directed by Dr. Sean Stanton. A classically trained baritone, Stanton has performed with opera companies and choruses across the country, including the Los Angeles Opera Chorus and Los Angeles Master Chorale, under conductors such as Riccardo Muti and James Levine. He earned his doctorate from the University of Southern California, where his research focused on vocology, arts leadership, and the development of undergraduate vocal studies curricula. In addition to directing Vocal Studies, Stanton maintains an active studio and is a frequent presenter on performer wellness and sustainable vocal technique. Vocal Studies at Chapman welcomes all styles and genres through our diverse degree offerings and ensembles

Additional program faculty include:

Our voice faculty and coaches are all accomplished, active performers who bring the knowledge and insight of performing to their students.

• Dr. Graycen Gardner
• Patrick Goeser
• Jeffrey Goldberg
• Dr. Alexandra Hotz
• Milena Kitic, artist-in-residence 
• Kathryn Krasovec
• Charlotte Martin
• Kyla McCarrel
• Bruce McClurg
• Susan Montgomery Kinsey
• Dr. Michele Patzakis
• Jóhann Reed
• Alexandra Robinson

Guest Artists

Here are just a few of the acclaimed guest artists who have recently visited or taught Chapman voice students:

• Lawrence Brownlee, tenor
• Kristin Chenoweth, Broadway performer
• Nicholas Roehler, L.A. Opera pianist and vocal coach
• Eric Whitacre, choral composer and conductor
• Lucy Yates, vocal coach

Student Clubs and Organizations

Chapman has hundreds of student clubs and organizations. These range from academic to spiritual to cultural to just having fun. Some clubs that are popular with our department majors include:

• Chapman SoundCheck
• Chapman on Broadway
• Chapman Society for Music Education
• Chapman Student Org Productions (CSOP)
• Men of Harmony
• Movement of Community in the Arts
• Simply Vocale
• The ChapTones

Admission and Tours

Learn more about applying to the conservatory on our Music Admission page, including information about auditions and deadlines, or check out the curriculum on our catalog page.

Want to learn more about Chapman? We are always available for tours and information sessions. We’d love to meet you!

---

Related Programs