School of Music Alums on Broadway
They want to be a part of it — New York, New York — and they are. In fact, alumni from the School of Music at Carnegie Mellon perform on stage in major opera companies, musical theater productions and with world-class ensembles around the globe.
Some of those currently making waves in the Big Apple's most prestigious venues include baritone Liam Bonner (A'03) and tenor Jeffrey Behrens (A'03).
Bonner makes his Metropolitan Opera debut in the February production of "Carmen." Behrens also makes his debut with the Met in its March 2010 production of Shostakovich's The Nose (Die Nase). Both were students of Associate Professor of Music Douglas Ahlstedt.
"One of the most significant confirmations concerning the quality of training we provide our singers in the School of Music is that the basic classical approach to singing serves both areas of Broadway — Times Square and the 42nd Street area, and Lincoln Center, at 66th Street," said Ahlstedt.
Another recent graduate of Ahlstedt's is Graham Fenton (A'05), who is singing the Frankie Valli role in "Jersey Boys."
Other School of Music alums on Broadway include Patricia Phillips (A'85), who is currently starring as Carlotta in "The Phantom of the Opera." Christiane Noll (A'90) has received accolades for her performance in the revival of "Ragtime," which opened in November 2009 and closed with a final performance on January 10, 2010. Alumna Catherine Walker (A'01) is a member of the Ragtime cast.
They join a number of fellow Carnegie Mellon alums from the School of Drama, who are also performing on Broadway. One dramat — Kyle Beltran (A'09) — is in Pittsburgh this week as star of the Broadway musical "In the Heights," which is touring nationally.
Related Links: School of Music | The 2009 Tony Awards | School of Drama
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