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
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Foster Beyers
Assistant Professor
Director of Orchestras
beyersfj@jmu.edu
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Chuck Dotas
Professor, Director of Jazz Studies
dotascj@jmu.edu
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W. Bryce Hayes
Associate Professor, Associate Director of Choral Activities
hayeswb@jmu.edu
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Scott Rikkers
Director of the Marching Royal Dukes, Assistant Director of Bands
rikkersd@jmu.edu
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Kevin J. Stees
Professor, Conductor of the JMU Brass Band
steeskj@jmu.edu
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Jo-Anne van der Vat-Chromy
Associate Professor, Director of Choral Activities, Coordinator of Voice Area
vanderjx@jmu.edu
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Nieves Villaseñor
Assistant Director of Athletic Bands
Director of Pep Band
villasnx@jmu.edu
Yi-Ping Chen
Instructor, Conducting
chenyc@jmu.edu
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Greg Thomas
Instructor
thoma3gp@jmu.edu
Jo-Anne van der Vat-Chromy
Associate Professor, Director of Choral Activities, Coordinator of Voice Area
vanderjx@jmu.edu
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Sonya Baker
Professor
bakersg@jmu.edu
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W. Bryce Hayes
Associate Professor, Associate Director of Choral Activities
hayeswb@jmu.edu
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Jamison Walker
Assistant Professor
walke5jl@jmu.edu
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David Newman
Instructor
newmanda@jmu.edu
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Brenda Witmer
Instructor
witmerbk@jmu.edu
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