Vocal Arts at UCI offers a rigorous program of study for classical vocalists preparing for a career in singing. Courses specific to these programs include Diction, Song Literature, Word & Music, Vocal Pedagogy, private vocal instruction, and weekly master classes. The students who choose to come to UCI in Vocal Arts are clearly motivated to achieve vocal excellence in a nurturing yet challenging environment.

Voice Faculty

• Robin Buck
• Joseph Huszti
• Darryl Taylor

Affiliated Faculty

• Margaret Murata, Song Literature

Staff Accompanists

• Ben Makino
• Junko Nojima

UCI Opera
Robin Buck, Artistic Director

UCI Opera offers training in acting, movement, repertoire and style for singers culminating in fully-staged as well as concert performances of opera and operetta. Recent productions have included Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, Gilbert & Sullivan’s Trial by Jury, Menotti’s The Telephone, Pasatieri’s Signor Deluso and three world-premieres including the Charles Mee/ Nathan Birnbaum Play/Opera War to End War, Gilmore’s Coffee Date and Barabba’s ‘dentity Crisis. 2006 productions include Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi in Winter and a concert staging of Act III of Puccini’s La Bohême with the UCI Symphony in Spring.

Art Song and Artistry
Darryl Taylor, Artistic Director

The Art Song and Artistry Series at UCI emphasizes American music, with lectures, invited master classes, and student performances. Its inaugural season features a lecture on Florence Price and Margaret Bonds, delivered by Dr. Rae Linda Brown, a master class given by opera star Angela Brown, and student performances of Barber’s Hermit Songs and Copland’s Old American Songs.

Recent Activities

• Master Classes by Victoria Litherland, Marietta Simpson, Tod Fitzpatrick
• Host to NATS Master Class with Suzanna Guzman
• Host to Rotary Club's annual "Young Singer of the Year" competition