Mark Tempesta comes to the College of Music as Assistant Professor of Voice and Vocal Pedagogy. He holds degrees in voice performance and physics from Oberlin College and Boston University and will receive his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Voice Pedagogy from New England Conservatory this May. For the past two years, Mr. Tempesta has taught and managed voice pedagogy at New England Conservatory.
Praised by The Capital for his “rock-solid vocalism and powerful projection”, bass Jeffrey Tarr has an extensive performance career in opera, oratorio, and as a recitalist. Among the opera companies with which he has performed are the Washington National Opera, Baltimore Concert Opera, UrbanArias, The InSeries, and Festspiele Gut Immling. His portrayal of Basilio in Annapolis Opera's production of Il barbiere di Siviglia was described by The Washington Post as "fervent [&] robust." Internationally, Mr.
From Berlin, Germany, Mary Mills is Visiting Lecturer in Voice in the Division of Vocal Studies. Ms. Mills graduated from the College-Conservatory of Music at University of Cincinnati, received a master of music from Yale University, and has sung the great operatic roles on many of the major stages in Europe and the United States. Her repertoire ranges from Monteverdi to Mozart and Verdi, Puccini, Strauss and Wagner to Janáček along with contemporary works.
Nereida García, Mexican-American soprano, has sung in the United States, Mexico, and Europe. Ms. García has performed with Opera in the Heights, The Living Opera, Sherman Symphony Orchestra, UNT Grand Chorus and Symphony Orchestra, Soma International Foundation, Foundation for Modern Music, was an Apprentice Artist with Sarasota Opera and Artist-in-Residence with Amarillo Opera.
Stephanie Rhodes Russell recently completed a residency as Conducting Fellow with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra where she appeared regularly with the ensemble leading education, family, and community concerts while serving as cover conductor for the symphonic subscription series. She is the recipient of a 2019 Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award, designed to aid outstanding young conductors in developing their talents and careers.
Applauded by the Salt Lake City Tribune for “maturity beyond his years” and “dizzying technical facility,” Namibian pianist Willem van Schalkwyk has concertized throughout the United States, Europe, South America, and Southern Africa - most recently in France and Mexico.
Daniel Bubeck, countertenor, is hailed by the New York Times and Opera News for his “distinctive, honeyed timbre, smooth coloratura, secure technique and for his superb command of line and text.” Dr. Bubeck has performed in major concert halls, opera houses, and music festivals throughout the world including Carnegie Hall, Théâtre Musical de Paris-Châtelet, Tokyo’s Suntory Hall, Concertgebouw, and international music festivals in Beijing, Lucerne, Adelaide, and Brussels.
Jonathan Eaton has directed widely in opera houses throughout North America and Europe.
Jeffrey Snider is a native of Buffalo, New York, and received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Indiana University. He received the doctor of musical arts degree from the University of North Texas in 1996 and in 1998 he returned to UNT as an associate professor in the College of Music.
Diana Cooley provides administrative support for three Divisions within the College of Music: Keyboard Studies, Vocal Studies and Conducting & Ensembles. She joined the UNT staff in 2015 and was nominated for the Rising Star Award in 2017.
