Artist Diploma

A 2-year voice performance program (graduate)

Artist Diploma in Voice

For those who want to master the art of performance

What is the Artist Diploma?

This highly selective program is designed to build on the undergraduate academic/conservatory experience or complement previous graduate work to refine and train you for young artist programs and beyond. The diploma requires 24 credit hours in seminar-based instruction, private and group lessons and acting classes. It is designed to be completed in two years, allowing  some attendance flexibility for off campus performance opportunities. Upon completion, after you have demonstrated an expert level of performance skills and outstanding music achievement, you will earn an Artist Diploma. Jewell's Artist Diploma in Voice (Graduate) is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music as a non-degree granting music program.

What's unique about Jewell's program?

Our small, intensive and highly personalized program is modeled after professional young artist programs, yet within an academic setting. Our campus setting fosters a “home” company during and after the program with on- and off-campus performance opportunities. Training includes seminar-based coursework, intensive lessons, coaching and acting classes and an ongoing commitment to help you advance into young artist programs as you begin your career.

If, while enrolled in the program, you receive  an opportunity to perform off campus, you will not only be encouraged to do so, but also be released by faculty to seize the experience and count it toward your performance requirements. Our goal is to always develop in you practical, immediately applicable skills, that you can extend to real-world performance opportunities as they arise. We seek to blend seamlessly the best aspects of an academic setting with the best hands-on performance opportunities in the local area and beyond. 

Once you graduate you are not forgotten. We extend to our students a commitment to ongoing vocal coaching, role development and career mentoring. You become a part of the extended Jewell vocal family, and we work with you to see you succeed in the industry as a whole.

“I discovered the quality of the program, the planned curriculum, the notable alumni, the incredible supporting faculty for the Artist Diploma, the history of Gano Chapel and the world-class artists I'd be exposed to through the Harriman-Jewell Series, and I realized just how special the Artist Diploma program would be. However, after the discussions with Program Director Daniel Belcher and the most kind and personalized acceptance and welcome letter I've seen to date, detailing specific details about how Jewell is invested in my future career as an artist, I knew that it was the place for me.”

Matthew Harris, Clay County, Florida

Meet our Artist Diploma in Voice students

  • Louis Tiemann, Lyric Baritone

    Master’s in Vocal Arts, Bard College Conservatory

    Louis Tiemann brings opera and song to audiences of all walks of life, creating a space that welcomes everyone. From playing flute in his high school’s marching band, to singing Irish folk music in a world music ensemble and playing bass guitar for local bands in Baltimore, his eclectic experiences make him a thoughtful and unique artist.

  • Rachel Barg, Mezzo-soprano

    Master’s in Vocal Performance, University of Michigan

    Rachel was contracted to sing Madre Melchora in the East Coast premiere of “Juana” (postponed due to COVID-19. She’s performed roles such as Olga in “Eugene Onegin” with the Eurasia Festival, Arinyae in the world premiere of Theodore Christman’s opera “A Metamorphosis,” Dame Quickly in “Flastaff,” Marcellina in “Le Nozze di Figaro” and Hippolyta in Britten’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

  • Maria De Conzo, mezzo soprano

    Master of Music, Mannes School of Music (NY City)

    Maria De Conzo is known for her versatility with dramatic and comedic roles as a crossover artist in opera and musical theatre. She received her Bachelor of Music from Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music and her Master of Music from Mannes School of Music. She’s performed roles such as Hansel in "Hansel and Gretel," Meg in "Little Women" and Marcellina (cover) in Le Nozze di Figaro.

  • Jacob DeSett, Baritone

    Bachelor's in Vocal Performance, University of Kansas

    Jacob is a passionate performer raised in the Kansas City area. Since his introduction to opera while earning his bachelor's degree, Jacob has performed roles including Hannah in Kaminsky's "As One," Pistola in "Flagstaff," Curio in "Giulio Cesare," King Balthazar in "Amahl and the Night Visitors," and David in "A Hand of Bridge."

  • Nysio Poulakos

    Bachelor’s in Voice and Opera, Lawrence University & Conservatory

    Nysio has consecutive titles from the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and an award for his duet performance of “The Word of Your Body” at the National Opera Association Collegiate Scenes Competition. Previous productions include “Le Nozze di Figaro,” “Gianni Schicchi” and “Mass” by Bernstein.

  • Leanna Crenshaw, soprano

    M.M. in Voice Performance, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

    Known for her legendary high notes, Leanna is making a name for herself in her signature role of Die Königin der Nacht in “Die Zauberflöte.” Some other performances include Zerbinetta in “Ariadne auf Naxos,” Madame Herz in “The Impresario,” Nannetta in “Falstaff,” soprano soloist in Brahms’ “Ein Deutsches Requiem.”

The Faculty

  • Daniel Belcher, Program Director

    We are fortunate and proud to have internationally renowned and GRAMMY® Award-winning baritone Daniel Belcher lead this outstanding program. His career has taken him around the world, performing standard repertoire and specializing in the premiers of new works. His roles and voice have been praised as being "vocally and physically agile, bright voiced and moving," and he has forged a reputation as the kind of artist you want to work alongside. He is keen to mentor and grow the next generation of singer actors and is passionate about building an elite and focused graduate program that will impact the world of opera for generations to come.

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  • Supporting Faculty

    Our full-time on campus faculty will be augmented by some of the nation’s leading opera creators. Specifically, the Department of Performing Arts has developed an ongoing connection with Stage Director Kathleen Smith Belcher, who teaches many of our stagecraft courses. Kathleen brings over 20 years of experience working with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, alongside many other prestigious opera organizations. Her insight into the inner workings of the industry, form an invaluable foundation for graduate students in this program. Read more about Kathleen Belcher's work and career.

    Dan Belcher is joined by an outstanding group of supporting faculty. Some teach regularly in the program and others visit campus on a rotating basis, creating opportunity for enrolled students to build working relationships with many of the industry’s leading influencers. Leading industry professionals (general directors, directors of young artist programs, conductors, composers, artist managers) working with students this year:

    • Shawn Jeffery, Artist Manager, ADA Artists
    • Cherity Koepke, Director of Education, Opera Colorado
    • Dan Rigazzi, Stage Director, The Metropolitan Opera
    • Steven Osgood, General Director, Chautauqua Opera
    • Lawrence Edelson, General Director, Opera Saratoga
    • Lisa Hasson, Director, Young Artist Program, Des Moines Metro Opera/Kentucky Opera
    • Allen Perriello, Artistic Administrator, Des Moines Metro Opera
    • Matthew Morgan, Broadway Performer
    • Clare Burovac, General Director, New Orleans Opera
    • John Baril, Music Director, Central City Opera
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Application and Admission

  • The Application and Cost

    The program is limited to six students per year, so apply now to begin the review process and receive full consideration. Classes begin in August. Cost is $18,500 per year, and campus housing is available at an additional cost.

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  • Admission Requirements
    • A completed application.
    • An official transcript from a nationally-accredited college or university showing the awarding of a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field.
    • Official transcripts from all other colleges and universities attended, whether as an undergraduate or graduate student and regardless if credit was awarded.
    • A minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale.
    • A minimum GPA of 3.0 in music.
    • One letter of recommendation from most recent voice teacher.
    • Optional: One letter of recommendation from another professional with whom you have recently worked.
    • A résumé/curriculum vitae.
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The Curriculum

  • Required Courses

    The Artist Diploma is highly personalized, designed to be flexible around candidates' opportunities to perform. However, there are 24 hours of required courses to graduate:

    • MUS 500: Applied Voice and Lyric Diction (2 credit hours) (must be taken four times)
    • MUS 510: Performance Application (1 credit hours) (must be taken four times)
    • MUS 520: Performance Coaching (1 credit hours) (must be taken four times)
    • MUS 610: The Singer-Actor I (1)
    • MUS 615: Professional Engagement Seminar I (1)
    • MUS 620: The Singer-Actor II (1)
    • MUS 625: Professional Engagement Seminar II (1)
    • MUS 630: The Singer-Actor III (1)
    • MUS 635: Professional Engagement Seminar III (1)
    • MUS 640: The Singer-Actor IV (1)
    • MUS 645: Professional Engagement Seminar IV (1)

    For more information about any aspect of the curriculum, contact the Department of Performing Arts or Daniel Belcher. 

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The Best of Kansas City

  • Premier Venues

    Kansas City is enjoying a resurgence of the arts. You'll find many benefits of being in an arts program in the Kansas City metropolitan area, including our proximity to premier venues. Kansas City is a Midwest mecca for the arts: You can enjoy The Lyric Opera of KC, Kansas City Ballet and the Kansas City Symphony performing in the world-class Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The newly-remodeled Folly Theatre and local, historic churches also host performances of world-class artists along with numerous, local performing arts organizations.

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  • Free Tickets to the Harriman-Jewell Series

    Through the internationally acclaimed Harriman-Jewell Series, you can get free tickets to see the world’s greatest artists in concert. Each year the Department of Music and the Harriman-Jewell series team up to bring some of this outstanding talent to campus to give free master classes. You can perform for and interact with leading performers from around the world and receive direct feedback and instruction. Recently we hosted mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, soprano Danielle de Niese, soprano Renée Fleming, Canadian Brass, Parsons Dance, violinist Joshua Bell with pianist Alessio Bax, vocalists The King's Singers and Stephanie Blythe. Visit the Harriman-Jewell Series website. And while you are at Jewell, you’ll get to perform in Gano Chapel, and stand on the very boards on which Pavarotti gave his world recital debut in 1973.

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