Education & Training
Education - Shelley
Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Illinois Wesleyan University
Master of Music in Vocal Arts and Performance from the University of Southern California, her Artist Diploma in Professional Opera Studies from Duquesne University for completing the Young Artist program at Pittsburgh Opera.
Professional Certification for completing the Opera Music Theater International, young artist intensive 2-year training program, for opera and musical theater performers directed by Metropolitan Opera Bass, Jerome Hines.
Voice Teachers
Dr. Thomas F. Cleveland, USC, Los Angeles, CA. PhD in Voice Science
Dodi Protero, New York City
Operatic Engagements
Washington Opera
New York City Opera
Los Angeles Opera
Tokyo Opera, Japan
Teatro Municipale Opera, Santiago Chile
Bolshoi Opera, Moscow
Pittsburgh Opera
Sarasota Opera
Connecticut Grand Opera
Connecticut Opera Theater
Arizona Opera
Kentucky Opera
Virginia Opera
Leiderkrantz Opera
Long Island Opera
Roles
La Traviata-Violetta
Gilda-Rigoletto
Marguerite-Faust
Infanta-Le Cid
Pamina-Die Zauberflöte
Norina-Don Pasquale
Flower Maiden-Pasifal
Baby-Ballad of Baby Doe
Soprano Soloist-Carmina Burana
Hanna Glawari-Die Lustige Witwe
Konstanze-Die Entführung aus dem Serail
Notable Concert Venues
Carnegie Hall
David Geffen Hall
Mark Taper Forum
Notable Conductors
Heinz Fricke
James Conlon
Joe Colaneri
Emmanuel Villaume
Stewart Robinson
Franz Vote
Stephen Lord
Teo Alcantara
Lawrence Gilgore
Distinguished Collaborators in Opera
Renata Scotto
Beverly Sills
Licia Albanese
Placido Domingo
Luciano Pavarotti
Lucia Evangelista
Regine Crespin
Franco Corelli
Marilyn Horne
Marty Katz
Nico Castel
Collin Graham
William Crutchfield
Virginia Zeani
Maureen Forrester
Sherill Milnes
William Vendice
Tito Capobianco
Gwendolyn Koldofsky
Anthony Manoli
Nicolo Rossi-Lemeni
Hugo de Hannah
Matthew Epstein
Frank Corsaro
Reviews
“But Shelley Jameson became the star of the evening with her gorgeous voice that soared through Dreyfoos Hall with either unbridled power and clarity or with a feather-light sound under perfect control. In a role that can be overacted, Jameson played the part of Violetta Valery the sick ill-fated heroine dying of tuberculosis with appropriate drama. Jameson’s superb vocal abilities were evident in the aria; Ah fors’ è lui and the buoyant sempre libera.” Herbert Perez-Vidal Palm Beach news (New York City Opera National Touring Company)
“But the day’s most perfect voice belonged to Shelley Jameson. Flawless from soaring highs to a remarkably full lower register, superbly balanced and nuanced, it is an instrument seemingly designed by executive fiat for Ah, Fors’ è lui-Sempre libera, La Traviata. Then she reappeared in the concert’s final number and showed herself equally potent in an earlier style, leading the Act III sextet from Donizetti’s, Lucia di Lammeroor with fire and precision, a beautiful; actress with a beautiful voice.” Peter Spenser, The New Jersey Star-Ledger
“Shelley Jameson’s strong voice navigated the rocky reefs of the part with remarkable dexterity. Especially notable was the control she demonstrated-several times leaping to a whisper tone and then magnifying it with a crescendo that filled the hall.” Edward Kupperstein, Arizona Daily Star
“In the role of Costanza, Shelley Jameson floated some of the most exquisite high C’s I have heard in a long time!” Karolyn Griffin, News Press of Fort Myers
“Su tutte, s’e elevata la voce del soprano, Shelley Jameson, Il suo Sempre Libera, dalla Traviata, e stato a dir poco eccellente!” Translation: “Over all, the highest level voice, of soprano, Shelley Jameson was the finest, In her sempre libera from Traviata and was at the very least excellent.” Franco Borrelli, Americana Oggi.
“Shelley Jameson completely captivated her audience in her portrayal. She appeared to be knowledgeable and vulnerable. She made a pleasing appearance, lovely in every detail and had self-assurance on stage.” Frank Milton, Los Angeles Sentinel
“Portraying the tragic role Violetta Valery was Shelley Jameson, a soprano with a powerful voice and amazing range. She sang all her notes effortlessly, then sang so softly it was like an echo of her own voice. Her aria in act 1 had the audience applauding heartily.” Shirley Davis, Quad City Times (from New York City National Touring Company)
Academic Career
In addition to her distinguished careers as a singer and teacher, Shelley devoted an important chapter of her professional life to the academic training and development of young singers. She served as Artist-in-Residence in Voice and Opera Workshop, where she was both co-founder and director, establishing and guiding a program dedicated to the comprehensive education of aspiring vocal artists.
As part of her academic work, Shelley maintained a private vocal studio and taught advanced singers in diction, vocal pedagogy, and opera history. Her teaching extended well beyond vocal technique. As an operatic coach, acting teacher, and stage director, she brought together her extensive knowledge of music, language, dramatic interpretation, and stagecraft, preparing singers to approach opera as both a musical and theatrical art form.
Her work in the opera workshop encompassed a wide range of repertoire and performance styles, including works in their original languages as well as English adaptations. Her directing and coaching credits included:
• Carmen — French
• La Bohème — Italian
• La Traviata — Italian
• Il Trittico
• Suor Angelica — fully staged
• Il Tabarro — concert performance
• Gianni Schicchi — fully staged
• Die Zauberflöte — music in German; dialogue in English
• The Merry Widow — English
• Die Fledermaus — English
Education - Joel
Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL.
Master of Music in Vocal Performance, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
Artist Diploma in Opera Performance, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh Opera Young Artist Program
Opera Music Theater International, (OMTI) Fellow; Jerome Hines, General Director
Sarasota Opera Studio Program, Victor DeRenzi, General Director
Voice Teachers
Dr. Thomas F. Cleveland, USC, Los Angeles, CA. PhD in Voice Science
Dodi Protero, New York City
Jerome Hines, Metropolitan Opera Bass
Vocal Coaches
Lucia Evangelista
Hans Hotter
Martin Katz
Warren Jones
Matthew Epstein
Gwendolyn Koldofsky
Frederica von Stade
Yelena Kurdina
Danielle Orlando
Armen Guzlemian
Margo Garrett
Maureen Forrester
Operatic Engagements
Houston Grand Opera
Pittsburgh Opera
Minnesota Opera
Cleveland Opera
Opera North Carolina
Opera Illinois
Sarasota Opera
Chattanooga Opera
Caramoor Opera bel canto Festival
Roles
Ramfis, Aida
King of Egypt, Aida
Colline, La Boheme
Duke, Romeo et Juliette
Sparafucile, Rigoletto
Alcade, Padre Guardiano, La Forza del Destino Friar, Filippo, Don Carlo
Wurm, Luisa Miller
Sarastro, Die Zauberflöte
Dr. Grenvil, Marchese, La Traviata
Rocco, Fidelio
Mephistopheles, Faust
Masetto, Commendatore, Don Giovanni Don Alfonso, Cosi fan tutte
Gazella, Lucrezia Borgia
Fifth Jew, Salome
Conductors
Christoph Eschenbach
Theo Alcantara
Richard Buckley
Emmanuel Villaume
William Crutchfield
Victor DeRenzi
Robert Duer
Randall Behr
Stage Directors
Atom Egoyan
Tito Capobianco
Colin Graham
Kay Walker-Costaldo
Conducting Career
In addition to his distinguished career as a singer and teacher, Mr. Jameson has enjoyed a substantial career as a conductor, leading choral and orchestral performances at some of the most respected venues in the United States and abroad. His work as a conductor reflects the breadth of his musical experience and his lifelong commitment to bringing major choral and symphonic works to audiences.
Among the highlights of his conducting career are four major choral concerts at David Geffen Hall in New York City, one of the country’s premier concert venues. He has also led his Collegiate Chorale on numerous national and international tours, including performances throughout England and France, further establishing his reputation as a musical leader and educator.
A particularly significant chapter of Mr. Jameson’s career was his work with the Nyack Civic Orchestra and Nyack Civic Chorale, organizations he founded. In four major concert productions, he served both as conductor and bass soloist, presenting ambitious works from the great choral and symphonic repertoire. These performances included Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and Choral Fantasy, Mozart’s Requiem, selections from Beethoven’s The Mount of Olives, as well as orchestral arrangements of numerous choral anthems.
Through these performances, tours, and musical organizations, Mr. Jameson has distinguished himself not only as a gifted vocalist and teacher, but also as a conductor with a deep understanding of the choral tradition and a rare ability to unite singers, instrumentalists, and audiences in the shared experience of great music.
Teaching Apointment
Associate Professor of Music ~ Vocal department chair and Director of Choral Activities Alliance University, Nyack, New York.
As Associate Professor of Music I taught Singers Diction, Vocal Literature, Fundamentals of Voice class and Choral Conducting series, I & II. I served as the Opera Workshop co-founder, Artistic Director and Principal coach/conductor; Conductor of the Chorale and maintained a full Private Voice Studio. I was the founder/conductor of the Nyack Civic Orchestra and Nyack Civic Chorale where I also performed as Bass soloist.