New faculty: Matthew Chellis, Assistant Professor of Voice
As a tenor, Matthew Chellis has appeared to critical and popular acclaim throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and South America.
He has performed with the New York City Opera, National Symphony, Atlanta Opera, Opera de Bogota, Frankfurt Opera and many others. He has served leading roles in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Don Juan in Prague, Don Giovanni, Rigoletto, The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance and numerous others.
Originally trained as an actor and dancer, Chellis began his professional education at the University of Michigan, where he earned a BMA. After receiving his MM from the Manhattan School of Music he spent two years as a company member of the prestigious Juilliard Opera Center and was an apprentice artist with both Santa Fe Opera and Wolf Trap Opera.
Among the distinguished people he has studied with are Stanley Cornett (Peabody Conservatory), Edith Bers (Juilliard) and Martin Katz and Brent Wagner (University of Michigan). Chellis was associate professor of voice at New York University from 2001to 2006 and most recently was adjunct professor of voice at Roosevelt University in Chicago, where he also maintains a private studio.
His appointment begins in August 2014.