It is my great joy to welcome you to another inspiring season of music-making at Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
Founded in 1867, Boston Conservatory has stood as a bold experiment in access and artistry for more than 150 years—it was among the first schools in the US to admit women and people of color, the first to establish an opera program, and the first to offer a degree in musical theater. That spirit of innovation, inclusion, and excellence continues to guide us today.
In the Vocal Arts Department—home to the nation’s oldest opera training program—our community of singers, conductors, and educators pursues music with courage and purpose. Across 15 degree paths in vocal performance, opera, pedagogy, and choral arts, our students blend tradition with imagination, exploring both the classical canon and the boundary-pushing work of living composers.
The results of that exploration are profound. This past year alone, more than 10 of our students and alumni were named winners in the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, alongside numerous other national and international accolades. Our vocal pedagogy graduates now enjoy a 100-percent job placement rate, leading programs in schools, studios, and universities across the globe. Others are performing, conducting, producing, researching, and innovating within and beyond the arts—each carrying Boston Conservatory’s values into the world.
This season’s calendar reflects the brilliance and vitality of this community. From our Opera Innovators Series featuring Riccardo Frizza, Karen Slack, Brenda Rae, and Anne Bogart, to our collaborations with luminaries such as Ricky Ian Gordon and Andrew Garland, to our choral programming and fully staged opera productions, every performance you attend is the culmination of countless hours of dedication, discovery, and collaboration. As you take in tonight’s program, I invite you to reflect on the impact that music and storytelling have on our shared humanity.
If you find yourself moved by what you hear tonight and wish to be part of our journey, I warmly invite you to reach out—either to our offices or to me personally. We would be delighted to connect with you, to share our vision, and to explore how your partnership can help us continue shaping the future of vocal artistry.
Thank you for your presence, your applause, and your belief in what we do.
With gratitude and excitement,
Dr. Isai Jess Muñoz
Chair, Vocal Arts Department
Boston Conservatory at Berklee
