At University of the Pacific's Department of Voice Performance, you will be trained by faculty who have earned national reputation in the areas of music performance and pedagogy. Because they focus exclusively on undergraduate training, you will receive abundant personal attention and diverse performing opportunities in a positive, supportive and nurturing environment.
Faculty
How to apply and audition
Performance Opportunities
An exclusively undergraduate program in voice, the Conservatory offers a broad array of performance opportunities that are available to both performance and non-performance majors. Students who graduate from Pacific’s voice program find themselves far better prepared for the next level of their careers because of the depth and number of opportunities provided in an undergrad program only. Through the many ensembles, Opera Theatre, Studio Classes, Master Classes, and various competitions, our undergraduate students are immersed in solo performance opportunities that transcend classroom learning, and make them more competitive in their next steps.
Pacific Opera Theatre
The program includes an acting curriculum that specifically addresses the needs of the singer-actor. You can enroll in a full eight semesters of acting training. The first year lays the foundation with acting fundamentals, followed by six semesters exploring advanced methods. The curriculum is rooted in the Michael Chekhov technique, a physical approach to acting training that adapts well to opera and musical theater. Professor Haffner is certified in the technique, and he is a sought-after guest artist in the U.S and abroad.
Pacific Choral Ensembles
Pacific Choral Ensembles include Pacific Singers and University Chorus. In addition to performing standard choral literature, the ensembles routinely join forces with University Symphony Orchestra and the Stockton Symphony.
Master Classes
The Conservatory sponsors vocal master classes giving students the opportunity to work with nationally and internationally recognized artists and teachers. Recent guests have included Linda Watson, Susanne Mentzer, Marni Nixon, Will Crutchfield, Jerold Siena, Malcolm McKenzie and Suzanna Guzman.
Our Graduates
Our students have regularly been accepted into the nation's top graduate programs in voice and received generous and/or full scholarships to attend. Some of these programs include: Academy of Vocal Arts, Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, Indiana University, New England Conservatory, Manhattan School of Music, the Cleveland Institute of Music, Northwestern University, University of Southern California and others.
Pacific voice alumni have gone on to perform with the following opera companies/music festivals:
- Metropolitan Opera
- San Francisco Opera
- Deutsche Oper Berlin
- Bayreuth Festival
- Opera Theatre of St. Louis
- Santa Fe Opera
- Florida Grand Opera
- Palm Beach Opera
- Central City Opera
- Boston Lyric Opera
- Fort Worth Opera
- Opera Aperta (Boston)
- Western Opera Theater
- Utah Festival Opera
- San Francisco Opera Center
- Seoul Contemporary Opera Company (Seoul, Korea)
- Brevard Music Festival
Pacific graduates have also been invited to participate in the following programs:
- Music Academy of the West
- San Francisco Opera Merola Program
- Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Program
- Opera San Jose Apprentice Program
- Florida Grand Opera Young Artist Studio
- Palm Beach Opera Young Artist Studio
- Central City Opera Apprentice Program
- Boston University Opera Institute
- San Jose Opera Apprentice Program
Contact us
Daniel Ebbers
Professor
Program Director for Voice
Chair of Music Performance
209.946.2833
