Faculty

Dr. Jennifer Larson
Assistant Professor of Voice
Office: FAC 201
Phone: (319) 352-8414

Ms. Larson has been described by USA Today as possessing a "golden voice." She enjoys a solo performing career that encompasses appearances with many of the nation’s finest orchestras and chamber ensembles, a growing catalogue of recordings, and successful performances in major operatic roles.
An international semi–finalist in the prestigious Competizione dell’ Opera (2001), and national finalist in the 1997 Metropolitan Opera Council Auditions, Ms. Larson has received honors for her dramatic and vocal artistry as Violetta in Verdi's La Traviata, Governess in Britten's The Turn of the Screw, Frasquita in Carmen, and the title roles in Floyd's Susannah and Stravinsky's Le Rossignol performing with companies including Utah Opera, Toledo Opera, and Michigan Opera Theatre. She earned high praise for her creation of the title role in Detroit's world premiere of David Finko's opera Abraham and Hanna.

In demand as a concert soloist, she has been applauded with groups including the Milwaukee, Utah, Illinois, and Detroit Symphony Orchestras and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, singing works from baroque to modern under the batons of such noted conductors as Keith Lockhart, Bright Sheng, Andreas Delfs, John Mauceri, Kenneth Kiesler, and the late Robert Shaw.

A favorite soloist with contemporary music organizations, Ms. Larson is featured on several compact–disc recordings of original works, including Morris Rosenzweig’s On the Wings of Wind (CRI, 1998), works for horn and voice with William Barnewitz of the Milwaukee Symphony (Summit Records, 2001), Steven Ricks Leave Song (Capstone Records, 2003), and scenes from Paul Schoenfield’s opera The Merchant and the Pauper—part of an eighty–disc set produced by Milken Archive of American Jewish Music (Naxos, 2004).

Recent engagements include solo recitals in Detroit and Washington D.C., concerts with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, and a return appearance as a guest artist with the Conductors Retreat at Medomak. In November, Dr. Larson will solo with the Metropolitan Chorale of Waterloo under the baton of Dr. Paul Torkelson. December engagements include a world premiere of Evan Chambers’ work for orchestra and solo voices, The Old Burying Ground with conductor Kenneth Kiesler and the University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra.

In addition to her stage work, Ms. Larson continues to fill invitations to visit university campuses throughout the United States as a guest lecturer and recitalist.