Opera Theatre
JMU's Opera Theatre membership is by audition only and open to any JMU student. The James Madison University Opera Theatre is devoted to providing developing singers with opportunities to perform in fully staged operas and operettas. JMU Opera produces one fully staged opera, one operetta, and an opera scenes gala each year. Performances take place in the multi-million dollar Forbes Center for the Performing Arts and have attracted esteemed guest conductors to work with students.
Students involved in JMU Opera hail from prominent performing arts high schools, universities, and conservatories and are pursuing degrees in Music Performance and Education at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Past productions have included critically acclaimed performances of "The Merry Widow," "Cosi fan Tutte," "Suor Angelica," "The Medium," "Elixir of Love," “The Pirates of Penzance,” and "The Magic Flute." Students have been successful in national competitions such as NATS and have performed and studied internationally in Germany and Italy.
Stephen P. Bolstad
Professor
Director of Bands
Ensemble Area Coordinator
bolstasp@jmu.edu
Foster Beyers
Assistant Professor
Director of Orchestras
beyersfj@jmu.edu
Amy Birdsong
Lecturer
birdsoae@jmu.edu
Chris DeVona
Assistant Director of Athletic Bands
Director of Pep Band
devonaca@jmu.edu
Chuck Dotas
Professor
Director of Jazz Studies
dotascj@jmu.edu
W. Bryce Hayes
Associate Professor
Associate Director of Choral Activities
hayeswb@jmu.edu
Scott Rikkers
Lecturer
Director of the Marching Royal Dukes
Assistant Director of Bands
rikkersd@jmu.edu
Kevin J. Stees
Professor
JMU Brass Band
steeskj@jmu.edu
Jo-Anne van der Vat-Chromy
Professor
Director of Choral Activities
vanderjx@jmu.edu
Yi-Ping Chen
Instructor
chenyc@jmu.edu
Greg Thomas
Instructor
thoma3gp@jmu.edu
Sonya Baker
Professor
Voice Area Coordinator
bakersg@jmu.edu
W. Bryce Hayes
Associate Professor
Associate Director of Choral Activities
hayeswb@jmu.edu
Kevin McMillan
Professor
mcmillkj@jmu.edu
Carrie Stevens
Professor
stevencl@jmu.edu
Jo-Anne van der Vat-Chromy
Professor
Director of Choral Activities
vanderjx@jmu.edu
Jamison Walker
Associate Professor
walke5jl@jmu.edu
Nicole Jenkins
Instructor
jenki2nd@jmu.edu
David Newman
Instructor
newmanda@jmu.edu
Scott Zane Smith
Class Piano Coordinator, Supervisor, Instructor
smithsz@jmu.edu
Brenda Witmer
Instructor
witmerbk@jmu.edu
