Opera Star Stephanie Blythe Returns to her Alma Mater as Guest Artist-in-Residence at Crane School of Music

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World-renowned mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe ’92 will return to her alma mater as a guest artist-in-residence at SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music from Jan. 31 to Feb. 4.

POTSDAM, NY (01/27/2011)(readMedia)-- SUNY Potsdam is proud to welcome internationally-celebrated mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe '92 back to campus as a guest artist-in-residence at The Crane School of Music this coming week.

The Metropolitan Opera star, who has been hailed as a "once-in-a-generation opera singer" by the New York Times, will share her amazing talent and professional experience with Crane vocal students from Jan. 31 to Feb. 4. Select singers will receive individual coaching sessions with Blythe, while others will get the rare opportunity to take part in a masterclass with the acclaimed artist.

"We are so fortunate to have Stephanie regularly return to campus to work with our students. She provides valuable professional experience, artistic brilliance and a challenging, yet warm demeanor that ignite our students' love of singing," said Carleen Graham, director of the Crane Opera Ensemble and the College's Center for Undergraduate Research.

The New York Times has said that Blythe "sounds vocally at home no matter what she sings"; indeed, the mezzo-soprano seems to have enchanted the opera world with her many roles, having won Musical America's Vocalist of the Year Award in 2009 and the Opera News Award in 2007.

Even as she performs around the globe, Blythe continues to return to her alma mater to share her love of music with Crane students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

She has served as a guest artist-in-residence several times, and starred in the world premiere of "The Sailor Boy and the Falcon," alongside the student members of the award-winning Crane Opera Ensemble, in 2007. Additionally, Blythe has generously donated a special collection of American vocal music to the Crane Music Library.

It's a testament to the culture of SUNY Potsdam and its emphasis on the individual transformational experience that students will be able to work one-on-one with the mezzo-soprano, Graham said. Crane has invited many accomplished artists for teaching-focused residencies, with the intent of giving students the unique opportunity to engage with exceptional musicians.

In turn, dedicated alumni like Blythe continue to return to campus because they love SUNY Potsdam students and the generosity of the Potsdam environment.

During her residency, Blythe will conduct two masterclasses with vocal students on stage at Sara M. Snell Music Theater. These sessions will be free and open to the public. Personal recording devices and photography will not be permitted, as they will interfere with the students' educational experience.

The vocal masterclasses will be offered from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 1, and Wednesday, Feb. 2 in Snell Theater.

To wrap up her week at the College, Blythe will join selected students in an intimate evening of song and socializing by hosting a "Liederabend." Both Crane students and Blythe herself will perform for a small group of friends at the College, in a special night celebrating art songs. This event is closed to the public.

To learn more about the transformational experiences offered through vocal studies at The Crane School of Music, visit www.potsdam.edu/academics/Crane/voicearea/.

Find out more about the award-winning Crane Opera Ensemble at www.potsdam.edu/academics/Crane/opera/.

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Founded in 1886, SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music has a long legacy of excellence in music education and performance. Life at Crane includes an incredible array of more than 300 recitals, lectures and concerts presented by faculty, students and guests each year. The Crane School of Music is the State University of New York's only All-Steinway institution, and is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2011.

-www.potsdam.edu/crane-