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AZ STUDIO: YALE & BEYOND

Adriana Zabala is an Associate Professor of Voice at the Yale School of Music where she teaches Applied Voice and French Diction for Yale Opera, and is the co-founder, with composer Christopher Theofanidis, of the Yale Song Lab. Professor Zabala previously served on the voice faculty of the University of Minnesota, and is a passionate teacher, mentor, and advocate for aspiring vocal artists everywhere. Her students perform and teach throughout the world. 

When writing for a consultation inquiry kindly include a resumé and links to a recent performance.

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Student Successes

STUDENT SUCCESSES (recent & selected)​

  • Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition National Finalist, Semi-Finalists, Regional, District Winners

  • Summer contracts at Merola (San Francisco Opera), Wolf Trap, Santa Fe, Glimmerglass, Music Academy of the West
    Chautauqua, Aspen, Ravinia, and Tanglewood

  • Studio artists contracts at The Jette Parker Young Artists Programme, Covent Garden; The Canadian Opera Company, Palm Beach Opera, Zürich Opera, The Cafritz Young Artists Program, Kansas City Opera, Washington National Opera, Minnesota Opera

COURSES & SUBJECTS TAUGHT

  • Master Classes on business of singing, interpretation, movement, and technique

  • Song of Myself: a seminar for realizing your philosophy

  • Seminar: Cante Jondo & the Spanish Sonic Universe

  • Movement & Meaning

  • Vocal Literature

  • French, Italian, German, and Spanish Diction

  • UMN Freshman Seminar: Shakespeare in Film & Music

  • UMN Global Seminar in Paris: Vive les Arts!

PHILOSOPHY & INSPIRATION

"The art of music is so deep and profound that to approach it very seriously only is not enough…"

 

Through her legendary rigorous teaching, seasoned with joyful energy, Nadia Boulanger transformed her own life and those of her students. I first learned about her as an undergraduate, and her philosophy and approach continue to inspire me as an artist and professor. I believe, as Boulanger espoused, in the power of art to inspire and change communities and individual lives, and in holding myself and the aspiring professionals whom I mentor to exceptional standards. In respect to these values, I strive at the core to honor the humanity in each of us, so that students might proceed with confidence, depth and joy as they realize their creative and professional potential in the world of opera and beyond; and as they, the vanguard, practice, strengthen and transform the power of art for generations to come.

 

"…One must approach music with a serious rigor and, at the same time, with a great, affectionate joy!"
 

Here Boulanger’s imperative deeply resonates with my steadfast dedication to our art and those who are committed to pursuing it in meaningful ways. I love working with singers of many stages, abilities and aspirations. I have grown as a person and as a teaching artist in my ongoing exploration of the innumerable challenges and wonders of professional vocal development. My advocacy and commitment for my students and for our art are unwavering and continue to find nourishment in the studio, in the performance arena and in the world at large. I believe teaching and learning are among the great joys in life, and I am inspired and invigorated to continue the pursuit of both, in our remarkable art, with wonderful colleagues and curious, bright and creative young artists for many years to come.

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