School of Music & Theater

"The Magic Flute" PSU opera characters skipping off stage.

Opera

A Conservatory-Level Vocal Education in the Creative Heart of Portland

In this video, faculty, students and alumni of the PSU Opera Program share glimpses into the program's conservatory-level mentorship, their personal growth as singers, the supportive community, and the award-winning opera productions they participated in. 

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Portland State University Opera is nationally renowned for its innovative and fully staged productions, successful alumni, and an extraordinary faculty who teach from decades of career experience as successful singers. Alumni from this program have been Grammy Award Winners, National winners for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and singers with international careers including houses like Covent Garden, the Salzburg State Theater, the Frankfurt opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the Metropolitan Opera.

Priests in PSU's Opera "The Magic Flute"

Build a Foundation For Your Career

Study with faculty who have been successful in the field of concert and opera. Participate in regular masterclasses with visiting artists who are enjoying international careers. Undergraduate students often perform lead roles in our productions, a rarity in collegiate Opera programs.

Performance Opportunities

We are the only college in the Northwest to present two fully staged operas per year, plus an opera scenes workshop to an enthusiastic and robust community of opera lovers. Our productions are designed, built, and directed by distinguished artists in the profession of opera, allowing our students the same professional mentoring as the top conservatories throughout the nation. 

During fall term, the Chamber Opera production focuses on contemporary works, often from up-and-coming composers. The Spring Opera is a fully staged production, with a history of positive critical reviews and sell-out crowds to an enthusiastic and robust community of opera lovers.

PSU Opera Productions 2023-2024

Sign for PSU Opera's "Sherlock Holmes"

Nov. 25-Dec. 3 - "Sherlock Holmes and the Fallen Giant"
Poster for PSU Opera's The Merry Widow. Image of a woman's face behind a fan under the shadow of her hat., and a man leaning against a post in a tux.

Apr. 19-28 - "The Merry Widow" - Get Tickets
PSU Opera performing "Sherlock Holmes and Case of the Fallen Giant"

Vocal Studies

Vocalists enrolled in the PSU Voice program can choose from multiple degrees and a wide range of ensembles in which to grow and perform. 

Learn about voice area degrees
Kelley Nassief

Kelley Nassief - Opera Program Director

Kelley Nassief has been critically acclaimed for performances on operatic, symphonic, and recital stages across the globe. As alum of Portland State University, she is excited to bring her knowledge and experience back to the next generation of students.

Contact Kelley

"The Magic Flute" Performed by the PSU Opera Won 3rd Place!

3rd place winner of the Nat'l Opera Assoc. Competition in Division IV! Watch the 2023 full-length production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "The Magic Flute" as performed by PSU's Opera Program in Lincoln Performance Hall.

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PSU Opera voice student Sequoia performing in the Opera Scholarship Competition 2024

Support the opera program

Donations to PSU's Opera program provide scholarships for students and the funds needed to continue offering outstanding, full-length operas for Portland's diverse community. 

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