The opera program at the Dana School of Music gives every student who is able an opportunity to perform in a solo capacity. Besides the major opera production in the Spring quarter, an active Opera Workshop performs in schools and community centers throughout the area. Special classes for the aspiring singer-actor are offered in the Fall quarter and Stage Combat is offered in the Winter quarter.

Within the last five years, Dana students have performed in the following operas: Hansel and Gretel, The Bartered Bride, Die Fledermaus, L'Amico Fritz, the Legend of Ellis Island, The Impresario, Amelia Goes to the Ball, Signor Deluso and Goldilocks and the Three Bears, plus numerous scenes. Opera Workshop meets Monday through Friday from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M.

A student Opera Society has recently been founded at YSU. Youngstown's location between Cleveland and Pittsburgh offers many opportunities to see live professional opera. Many students avail themselves of this opportunity, as well as to coach with professionals in lyric diction (such as Mr. Lorenzo Malfatti and Mr. Rudolph Fellner in Pittsburgh). The newly formed Greenville Lyric Opera saw four Dana students perform roles in their premiere production of La Traviata, and some of our students will understudy lead roles in their upcoming production of L'Elisir d'Amore under the direction of Elaine Rinaldi, currently the Artistic Director of the GLO, and an Assistant Conductor and Chorus Master with the Florida Grand Opera.

The Youngstown Opera Guild is actively involved in helping students of opera realize their goals by sponsoring the Giorgio Tozzi Scholarship Concert each year in the beautiful Stambaugh Auditorium. The most advanced students of the Dana School join with a featured artist in presenting operatic selections in this gala event. Featured artists have included Dana graduate Gary Lehman (a Richard Tucker award winner), soprano Susan Foster, and soprano Cristina Fontanelli.

Other Dana voice pages include:
Opera at Dana
Hae-Jong Lee - Director of Choral Activities
Dr. Allan Mosher - Associate Professor of Voice
Dr. Misook Yun - Assistant Professor of Voice
Dr. Wade Raridon - Adjunct Professor of Voice