Diane Thornton
4704 Wilsham Court
Charlotte, NC 28226
704/540-5783
704/998-8012 cell
e-mail: dithornton@davidson.edu
webpage:dianebthornton.com
Curriculum Vitae
Pedagogy
Davidson College, Davidson, NC.
Artist Associate in Voice, Fall 1997-Present.
*Vocal Coach, RSC Davidson Residency Fringe Festival student
Infinite Variety performances in Edinburgh, Scotland, 2006.
*Music faculty advisor and vocal coach, RSC Davidson
Residency at Davidson College, February 2006.
*Co-production/direction of Opera Theater Workshop, 1995present.
*Private Voice Instruction (music majors, minors, non-majors).
*Class Voice Instruction.
*Singing Diction Instruction (English, French, German, Italian)
*Creator and producer of Baroquefest 2000.
*Co-production of Liederabend recitals.
*Organization of masterclasses offered by outside experts, including
the Bach Aria Group, Julianne Baird, Benton Hess, Marilyn Taylor,
Louise Toppin, Derrick Lawrence, and Toni Tupponce.
*Participation in seminars and competitions sponsored by the
National Association of Teachers of Singing.
*Creation/Development of vocal initiatives, including:
-Initiation of An Evening of Jazz Song, performed entirely by
Davidson student vocalists and instrumentalists.
-Mississippi God Damn!, a lecture-recital incorporating excerpts
from a book of the same title written by Davidson faculty
member Brenda Flanagan about her experience with Civil
Rights activist/singer/songwriter/pianist Nina Simone,
performed by Dr. Flanagan and guest jazz artists.
Director of Voice Studio, Fall 1995-Fall 1997.
* Creation and Development of Initiatives for Voice Studio:
-Davidson Opera Theater Workshop, Music 14
-Opera “Parties”
-Vocal master classes by guest artists, including William
Workman and Marilyn Taylor
-Singing Diction Course, Music 15
-Bachfest ‘96
* Administration of Voice Studio, including budget maintenance,
projection of needs, acquisition of part time instructors,
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resolution of issues pertaining to Voice Studio, production of
annual reports, and grant acquisition.
Adjunct Instructor, Fall 1993-Fall 1995
*Private voice Instruction.
North Carolina School of the Arts, Winston-Salem, NC.
Substitute Instructor, School of Music, March-April, 1994.
Introduction to Singing (Vocal Pedagogy).
Salem College Community Music School, Winston-Salem, NC.
Vocal Instructor, Fall 1990-Fall 1994.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Graduate Assistant, School of Music, 1989-90, Fall 1991.
*Voice Class.
*Private Voice Instruction (Music Education voice principals,
music minors, secondary voice).
Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC.
Adjunct Faculty, Department of Music, Spring 1987-Spring 1990.
*Private Voice Instruction.
*Advanced Voice Class.
*Voice Class.
Presentations
*Class Session: Writing Music for the Voice, Belvedere Chamber Music Festival, 2010.
*Vocal Techniques Workshop, Moravian Music Festival and Seminar, 2009.
*Class Session: How Composers and Performers Prepare a New Work Together, Belvedere Chamber
Music Festival, 2007.
*Master Class, Sewanee University of the South, 2007.
*Master Class, North Carolina School of the Arts, 2000.
Solo
Concert
Western Piedmont Symphony (John Ross)
Gustav Mahler, Symphony #2 (April 2015)
Carmel Presbyterian Church w/chamber orchestra Vivaldi, Gloria (2014)
Davidson College Concert Choir w/
Pro Arte Orchestra (Gilliam)
Corigliano, Fern Hill (2012)
Vaughan-Williams, Serenade to Music
Davidson College Concert Choir w/
Pro Arte Orchestra (Sprague)
J.S. Bach, Mass in B Minor (2012)
Handel, Messiah (2011, 2010, 2007)
Mozart, Requiem (2009, 2006)
Messiah Choral Society (Orlando, FL)
Handel, Messiah (2009)
Johnson C. Smith University Choir
Handel, Messiah (2008)
Raleigh Symphony/Concert Singers of Cary
Prokofieff, Alexander Nevsky (2008)
Charlotte Symphony/Oratorio Singers
Barber, Prayers of Kierkegaard (2007)
Vaughan-Williams, Serenade to Music
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AGO Conference w/Oratorio Singers)
Haydn: Creation, last mvmt. (2006)
J.S. Bach, St. Matthew Passion (1999)
Handel, Messiah (1999)
J.S. Bach, Magnificat (1996)
Durufle, Requiem (1998)
West Valley Symphony (AZ)
Handel, Messiah (2005)
Peniel Concert Choir and Orchestra
(Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center)
Handel, Messiah (2004)
New England Symphonic Ensemble
(Carnegie Hall)
Duruflé, Requiem (2004)
Boccherini, Villancicos (Dec. 1998)
Haydn, Lord Nelson Mass (Mar. 1998)
Raleigh Symphony
Beethoven, Symphony No. 9 (2003)
Duke Choral Society
Britten, Rejoice in the Lamb (2002)
Greensboro Oratorio Society
Handel, Messiah (2000)
Winston-Salem Symphony
Mozart, Requiem (1998, 1986)
J.S. Bach, Magnificat (2000, 1993)
Beethoven, Missa Solemnis (1987)
Beethoven, Symphony No. 9 (1988)
Kansas City Symphony
Mozart, Requiem (1997)
National Chorale
(Lincoln Center Debut at Avery Fisher Hall)
Handel, Messiah (1996)
Philadelphia Chamber Chorus and Orchestra
Handel, Jeptha (1995)
Piedmont Chamber Singers/W-S Symphony
J.S. Bach, St. John Passion (1995)
Handel, Dixit Dominus (1994)
J.S. Bach, Cantata No. 21 (1994)
Handel, Samson (1988)
Roanoke Symphony
Handel, Messiah (1994)
Wilmington Symphony (NC)
Beethoven, Symphony No. 9 (1992)
South Carolina Philharmonic/Chamber Orchestra J.S. Bach, Mass in B Minor (1991)
(South Carolina PBS broadcast)
Roanoke Choral Society and Orchestra
Handel, Messiah (1991)
Vivaldi, Gloria (1991)
J.S. Bach, Mass in B Minor (1990)
Western Piedmont Symphony
Beethoven, Symphony No. 9 (1991)
North Carolina Symphony (NC PBS Broadcast)
(with Winston-Salem Symphony in Raleigh)
Masterpiece Theater Benefit (1989)
Mahler, Symphony No. 3 (1987)
Brahms, Alto Rhapsody
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Solo
Chamber
Music
Recitals
Salisbury Symphony
Handel, Messiah (1989)
North Carolina Symphony (NC PBS Broadcast)
(with Winston-Salem Symphony in Raleigh)
(with Winston-Salem Symphony in Raleigh)
Masterpiece Theater Benefit (1989)
Mahler, Symphony No. 3 (1987)
Brahms, Alto Rhapsody (1987)
Canton Symphony (Ohio)
Handel, Messiah (1988)
Bel Canto Company
Copland, In the Beginning (1988)
Belvedere Chamber Music Festival
Copland, Old American Songs (2010)
Belvedere Chamber Music Festival
(two separate concerts)
Debussy, Trois Chansons de Bilitis & Fauré
Ibert, Deux Stêles Orienteés (2009))
Belvedere Chamber Music Festival
(two separate concerts)
Britten, A Charm of Lullabies & Ives songs
Patterson, Tanga Modern and Ancient (2008)
Belvedere Chamber Music Festival
(two separate concerts)
Amots, Songs from the Pomegranate Garden
Carlson, Menacing Spirits (2007)
21st Century Chamber Music Concert
Stasack, Crossing Rivers IV (2007)
NITLE New Music Festival
Charles Ives, various songs (2006)
Davidson College Concert Series
Stasack, Crossing Rivers IV (2005)
ACS New Music Festival
ACS New Music Festival
ACS New Music Festival
(three separate concerts)
ACS New Music Festival
Stasack, Crossing Rivers IV (2005)
Weisman, From Frankenstein (2004)
Cutler, Bathsheba’s Lament (2003)
Summer, The Quality of Mercy
McIntyre, A Visit from the White Rabbit
McIntyre, Dorothy Parker Songs (2002)
Bach Aria Group in Stonybrook, NY
Bach Aria Group at Bachfest ’96
Bach Aria Festival
J.S. Bach, Cantata Excerpts (1996)
J.S. Bach, Cantatas No. 9 & 94 (1996)
J.S. Bach, Cantata Excerpts (1993)
Carolina Consort/
International Lute Symposium
Monteverdi, scena from Il Ritorno
d’Ulisse in Patria (1987)
Carolina Consort at SECCA
Christmas Concert (1987)
*Knoxville, TN, Music and Healing, Copland and Ives songs, 2010.
*Memphis, TN, Luna Nova Recital, 2009.
*Sewanee, TN, Recital at University of the South, 2008.
*WDAV broadcast, Main Street Sessions, Charles Ives songs, 2007.
*Winston-Salem, NC, Benefit Recital for Cancer Services of Winston-Salem, 2005.
*Old Salem, NC, Christmas recital on David Tannenberg organ, 2004.
*Boston, MA (Boston Public Library), The Shakespeare Concerts, 2004.
*Worcester, MA (Clark University), The Shakespeare Concerts, 2004.
*NC NATS Fall Conference at Wingate University, Variations on the Song Cycle, 2003.
*Winston-Salem Symphony Fundraiser, Chanson de Bilitis, 2003.
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*Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University Dept. of Music Guest Artist Recital, 1999.
*Winston-Salem, Nancy Wurtele Memorial Benefit Concert, 1996 and 1997.
*Boone, NC, Guest Faculty Recital at Appalachian State University, 1997.
*Greensboro, NC, College Music Society Symposium, premiere vocal piece, 1990.
*Southern Pines, NC, Weymouth Center Artist Series, 1989.
*Winston-Salem, Carolina Composers Symposium, Listokin Weymouth Songs, 1989. *Winston-Salem,
*Reynolda House Museum of American Art (radio broadcast) 1988.
*Philadelphia, sponsored by the Hermitage Mansion Summer Festival, 1985.
*Bryn Mawr, PA, Haverford College Early Music Concert, 1983.
*Philadelphia, Penn Composers Guild premier of Ruba’yat by Ari Ben Shebetai, 1983.
Faculty
Recital/
Concert
Davidson College, Davidson, NC.
*Faculty Collaborative Recital, 2014
*Songs of the Divine w/Michael Rowland, 2013.
*Faculty Collaborative Recital, 2013.
*Music from the Belvedere Chamber Music Festival, w/Adam Bowles 2013.
*Ruskin Cooper Memorial Concert, 2012.
*An Evening of American Song, w/premiere of songs by Mary Armistead Jones, 2010.
*An Evening of Chamber Music, w/Ruskin Cooper and Alan Black, works by Brahms & Stasack, 2010.
*An Evening of Baroque Chamber Music, w/Henry Lebedinsky and Barbara Blaker Krumdieck, 2007.
*A Recital of Elizabethan Texts and American Composers, 2007.
*R. Strauss, Notturno, with Davidson College Symphony Orchestra, 2005.
*In Recital! Featuring works by Schubert, Strauss, Donizetti, Rossini, 2004.
*Musical Interludes, March 2004.
*Variations on the Song Cycle, 2003.
*Musical Interludes, September 2003.
*Musical Interludes, March 2003.
*Musical Interludes, November 2002.
*Haydn, Lord Nelson Mass with DCPC Chorus and Davidson College Symphony, 2002.
*Copland’s Old American Songs with Davidson College Symphony Orchestra, 2001.
*Baroquefest! Handel , Lascia ch’io pianga, 2000.
*Alto soloist, Vivaldi Gloria with Davidson College Choir and Symphony Orchestra, 1999.
*Faculty Recital, 1998.
*An Evening of J.S. Bach, 1997.
*A Concert of New Music by Davidson Students, 1996.
*J.S. Bach cantata excerpts with Bach Aria Group and Jeffrey Price, 1996.
*Faculty Composition Recital: New Works by Richard Prior, 1995.
*Faculty Composition Recital: New Works by Richard Prior and Jennifer Stasack, 1994.
*A Little Peace Music, 1994.
*An Evening of Christmas Song with James Swisher and faculty instrumentalists, 1993.
*Davidson Faculty Potpourri, 1993-94.
Salem College, Winston, NC.
*An Evening of Christmas Song with James Swisher, 1993.
*Alto soloist, Vaughn Williams Magnificat with Salem College Chamber Choir, 1991.
*A Concert of Baroque Music with John Mueller, 1990.
*Alto soloist, Vivaldi Gloria with Salem College Chamber Choir, 1990.
Wake Forest University, NC.
*Susan Bates Harpsichord Faculty Recital, Telemann Cantata, 1993.
*Potpourri, 1991.
*Excerpt from Beatrice et Benedict with Wake Forest Symphony Orchestra, 1990.
*Faculty Chamber Music Concert (Opera arias), 1989.
*Alto soloist, Ramirez Misa Criolla, 1988.
*Solo Recital, An Evening of Lieder and American Song, 1988.
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Opera
Roles
Plan
Artist
Greensboro Opera Company
Mercedes
Dame Quickly
Flora
3rd Lady
Carmen (1998)
Falstaff (1996)
La Traviata (1995)
Die Zauberflöte (1994)
Piedmont Opera Theater
Mamma Lucia
Zulma
Grandma
Marthe
3rd Lady
Tisbe
Alisa
Gertrude
Pitti Sing
Cavalleria Rusticana (1997)
L’Italiana in Algieri (1993)
Ordinary People (Chumbley)
Staged reading (1993)
Faust (1992)
Die Zauberflöte (1991)
La Cenerentola (1990)
Lucia di Lammermoor (1989)
Romeo et Juliette (1988)
The Mikado (1988)
Opera Carolina
Mamma Lucia
Zulma
Cavalleria Rusticana (1994)
L’Italiana in Algieri (1993)
Gold Coast Opera
Tisbe
La Cenerentola (1990)
Triangle Opera Theater
3rd Lady
Die Zauberflöte (1988)
Opera Company of Philadelphia
Maestra della Novizie
Suor Angelica (1986)
Camerata Opera Theater
Hansel
Hansel and Gretel (1984/85)
Pennsylvania Opera Theater
Zulma
L’Italiana in Algieri (1985)
Delaware Valley Lyric Opera
Rosina
Il Barbiere di Siviglia (1984)
Billings Institute of American Music
(world premiere)
Dame Lisabetta
Rappaccini’s Daughter (1984)
(Denison)
Minikin Opera
Dame Lisabetta
Rappaccini’s Daughter (1984)
Contemporary Opera Co. of America
(world premiere)
The Nurse
Hippolytus (Summer) (1983)
Pennsylvania Opera Festival
The Nurse
Hippolytus (1983)
Opera Company of Philadelphia
Angelina (Cenerentola)
Rosina
La Cenerentola
Il Barbiere di Siviglia
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Opera Opera Company of Philadelphia, 1979-85
Chorus
PBS Broadcasts: La Bohème, Faust, La Damnation de Faust
Other Productions: Eugene Onegin, Le’Elisir d’Amore, Madama Butterfly,
Les Pecheurs de Perles, La Traviata, I Pagliacci,
Les Contes D’Hoffman, Falstaff, The Marriage of Figaro,
Mosè, Die Zauberflöte, Dido and Aeneas, Simon Boccanegra,
Carmen, Macbeth.
Other
Opera
Temple Opera Theater
Lucia
Catherine
The Long Christmas Dinner (Hindemith)
`
Riders to the Sea (Vaughn-Williams)
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Dorabella
Cosi fan tutte (Mozart)
Adjudication
*Charlotte Opera Guild, 2004, 2006, 2010.
*North Carolina School of the Arts Scholarship Auditions, 1998.
*National Association of Teachers of Singing District Artists Awards, Fall 1996.
*NATS Mid-Atlantic District Student Auditions, 1993-98 (qualified for 1999), 2002,
2004, 2010, 2013.
*NATS North Carolina Student Auditions, 1993-2002, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013.
*North Carolina Federation of Music Clubs Vocal Competition, 1992.
*North Carolina Governor’s School Performing Arts Audition, 1989, 1991.
Education
University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Doctoral Studies, School of Music, 1989-90, Fall 1991.
Recipient, Lawrence E. Hart Graduate Scholarship.
Pennsylvania Opera Festival, Pittsburgh, PA.
Apprenticeship, Summer 1983.
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA.
Master of Music in Opera, 1983.
Graduate Assistantship, Office of Continuing Education, 1982-83.
Graduate Assistantship, School of Music, 1981-82.
Bachelor of Music in Opera, 1979, summa cum laude.
President’s Scholar.
Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, 1977-78.
Scholarship Recipient, 1976-79.
Voice Enhancement Workshop for Pop/Rock Singers
Duke University Voice Care Center, Raleigh, NC September, 2014
Vocal Health and Fitness for Opera Singers Workshop
Duke University Voice Care Center, Raleigh, NC August 2012
NATS Summer Workshop in Music Theater
UNC Charlotte July 2011
Coaching
Vocal:
Maureen Forrester
William Hughes
Robert Lawrence
Martin Rich
Julianne Baird
Master Classes:
Nico Castel
John Wustman
William Warfield
Thomas Allen
Drew Minter
Martin Katz
D’Anna Fortunato
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Opera: Joel Friedman
Richard Flusser
Marc Taslit (master class)
Jazz:
Awards
Teachers: Klara Meyers (pupil of Freschl)
Fritz Moses
Charles Lynam
Hope Haley Montoni
Noel Friedline
Toni Tupponce
Tyrone Jefferson
Wendy Jones
Bach Aria Institute at SUNY Stonybrook,
Fellowship, Summer 1993
North Carolina Arts Council
Named to Visiting Artists Roster, 1989, 1991-1994
National Association of Teachers of Singing Artists Award
District Winner, 1989
New York Center for Contemporary Opera International Opera Singers Competition
Second Place, 1985
Aria Italiana Competition, Philadelphia, PA
Finalist, 1985
Affiliations
National Association of Teachers of Singing
College Music Society
Roster of William Hendrickson Artists Management, 1996-1999. 2004-2006
(past) American Guild of Musical Artists
(past) AFTRA
Performance including those from Opera News, available upon request.
Reviews
References available upon request.
Programs of Davidson student recitals and Opera Theater Workshop also available.