A unique undergraduate experience
Simpson College is proud to continue our long-standing tradition of producing two fully-staged operas each academic year. These productions provide students with diverse opportunities to work with Simpson's faculty of seasoned opera professionals as well as exceptional guest artists. Our audiences appreciate these dynamic performances in a wide range of repertoire. We invite you to join us for our next opera!
Why Simpson College Opera?
- Two fully-staged productions of opera or musical theater per academic year
- Principal, supporting and chorus roles performed exclusively by undergraduates
- Student opera with a professional orchestra
- First-rate voice, coaching, conducting and piano faculty
- Dedicated one-on-one music preparation, vocal and language coaching
- Biannual May Term Opera Workshop in musical preparation, stagecraft and career development
- Visiting professional stage directors, designers and master teachers
- Internships and employment opportunities with the Des Moines Metro Opera
A student's perspective
“As a Simpson College music student, I have had the opportunity to participate in eight operas, three regional tours, two madrigal dinners and two European tours! In auditions and masterclasses I have already benefited from Simpson’s network of outstanding alumni, many of whom are influential in the field of professional opera.”
-Thaddeus Ennen, Bachelor of Music, voice performance major
From the Director
Simpson College offers a renowned and unique undergraduate opera program that is fully musically and technically resourced, supported by a professional orchestra, in an intimate, purpose-built theatre.
If you are an aspiring singer, pianist, conductor, stage manager, lighting designer, stage director, set designer, costume designer, or vocal coach, or if you are interested in musical theatre and seek a broad liberal arts education, you can do no better than begin at Simpson College.
Simpson College is the performing home of the Des Moines Metro Opera, with which it enjoys an historic, close partnership. It provides Simpson students with the invaluable opportunity to experience professional opera on their doorstep, and every summer Simpson students serve as interns and production staff in the summer opera festival. Many singers from Simpson have taken part in the DMMO Apprenticeship Program, an opportunity afforded usually to only the most talented graduate students and young professional singers from all over the United States.
All of the voice, coaching, and conducting faculty have professional careers, national and international credentials as performers, and are a close-knit team dedicated to developing the tradition of excellence established over many decades.
Simpson College punches massively above its weight in the number of professional singers, artistic administrators, choral directors, conductors, and music educators it has produced. Come and find out why.
Whether you are a prospective student, parent, teacher, audience member, a newcomer to opera, or a longstanding fan, or one of our outstanding alumni, we would be delighted to hear from you personally.
Des Moines Metro Opera
Simpson College is the performing home of the Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO), a major American Summer Opera Festival and Iowa's largest performing arts organization. Simpson enjoys an historic, close partnership with DMMO. It provides Simpson students with the invaluable opportunity to experience professional opera and a professional arts organization on their doorstep, and to serve as interns and production staff in the summer opera festival. Many singers from Simpson have taken part in the DMMO Apprentice Artist Program, an opportunity afforded usually to only the most talented graduate students and young professional singers from all over the United States.
