Who are our professors?
Kevin Short – Bass Baritone
“Kevin Short supplied a jolt of energy with his lively Nick Shadow.” The New York Times
American bass baritone Kevin Short is internationally acclaimed thanks to his career with such esteemed companies as the Metropolitan Opera, The Opera Comique, the Bregenzer Festspiele, the Swedish Royal Philharmonic, the Berlin Radio Orchestra, and the Boston Symphony. These are just a few of the numerous opera companies and orchestras with whom he has been featured.
Kevin is as accomplished a professor as he is a performer and teaches at the Juilliard School, the Curtis Institute of Music, and the University of Maryland.
Norah Amsellem – Soprano
Norah Amsellem is a renowned soprano and sought-after teacher. She has sung in the most prestigious theaters in the world such as the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala, San Francisco Opera, Seattle Opera, and the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden. She has worked with numerous celebrated conductors including Daniel Barenboim, and Riccardo Muti.
Her repertoire comprises many roles, but her performances as Violetta in La traviata, and as Mimi in La bohème are particularly memorable. Her performance as Violetta was praised for its rare emotion and impeccable technique.
Brigitte Clair – Pianist and vocal coach
“Brigitte Clair demonstrated the excellent musicality for which we have come to know her.” Opera International
Winner of the Vierzon International Sonata Competition, Brigitte Clair has had an extensive and prestigious career. A graduate of the National Superior Conservatory in Paris, her passion for voice led her to becoming the pianist of the opera school of Opéra National de Paris, and to collaboration with grand opera houses: Opéra National de Paris, Théâtres de Champs Elysées, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Radio France, and Deutsch Oper Berlin.
She has accompanied great artists such as Jean-Pierre Wallez, and Anne-Sophie von Otter, and played under the baton of E. Pido and B. Haîtink. She has appeared in festivals in France and abroad. Currently, she collaborates with Phillip Jaroussky within his academy.