International soprano singer prepares for Ball State

By Zach Cable

Ball State will host Mary Schiller, a prominent international figure in the soprano community, this Friday, Nov. 16, as part of its Guest Artists Master Class series.

The soprano master class will start at noon in Hahn Recital Hall and will last approximately two hours.

Soprano is a type of classical singing voice with the highest vocal range; in music written in four parts, it’s the highest part.

Two Ball State vocal music students talk after class outside Hahn Recital hall, where soprano artist Mary Schiller will perform Friday, Nov. 16. Hahn Recital Hall is located inside Sursa Performance Hall. Zach Cable, 2018

Schiller – who has performed in more than 40 operas and recital performances in the United States, France and Germany – will perform alongside Ball State students.

“When my mother took me to an opera when I was probably 4 or 5 is when I fell in love with music,” said Schiller. “From then on, I always knew singing is what I wanted to do the rest of my life.”

A frequent master class headliner, Schiller owns a private voice studio in New York City while being head of the voice faculty at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

“As I continued to grow and age, my love of music became so big that I felt I just had to share it,” Schiller said.

She has taught at five other institutes, but has been dedicated to the Cleveland Institute of Music for the past 16 years.

Her students perform with major, large-market operas like the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, New York City Opera and the Opera of Chicago. Some of her former students are now employed by some of these professional operas.

“Their skillsets all differ, but if they’re here, they have a lot of potential,” Schiller said.

“Having the opportunity to perform in front of large crowds with major operas really prepares them for this career.”

Learning from a professional like Schiller is a key reason why her students historically have so much success.

“Mary has been to perform at Ball State before and the first time I saw her, I was stunned,” said Ball State Director of Opera Jon Truitt. “Simply breath taking to hear a voice that pure, honestly.”

“Our students are very fortunate to even have an opportunity to connect and perform with such a decorated singer. It’s something that not every university offers.”

Schiller’s master class will be free and open to the public.

For more information, visit Ball State School of Music Calendar of Events.