Soprano Elisabeth Marshall joined UChicago as the Director of the Vocal Studies Program in the Autumn 2025 quarter. Read about her highlights from her first year, her vision for the future of the program, her hobbies, and more in this interview!
In addition to directing the Vocal Studies Program here at UChicago, you are an active performer and freelance writer. How do your performer, educator, and writer sides complement one another?
I have always considered how my singing informs my teaching, and also vice versa. I have learned so much from every performance I have given and intentionally brought that knowledge to my students in ways to help them in their performance pursuits as well. My writing has been mostly centered around colleagues and their experiences in the music performance industry, whose stories I've found also particularly inspiring and educational to younger generations of musicians.
Can you describe the Vocal Studies Program? What might make a student a good fit for this program?
The VSP is for students who have studied singing in either solo or ensemble situations and want to continue that practice as they pursue their degree here at UChicago. We offer a variety of performance opportunities to students who audition into the program, as well as master classes and other programming. For students who do not wish to perform publicly, or are perhaps new to solo performing, they too can take private lessons with one of our affiliate teachers and build skills to hopefully audition successfully into the program during their time here at UofC.
What are some highlights from your first year with the Vocal Studies Program?
Getting to know all the students and working with them. The dedication and love for singing is palpable here, where it's almost entirely extracurricular, and people really devote so much time and energy to something just because they love it so much!
What can we expect to hear at the final Vocal Studies Program concert of the year on April 30th?
It is our first themed concert of the year, "If Music be the Food of Love," with songs and arias about music, food, and/or love—and a corresponding reception afterwards to celebrate the end of the year and our graduating singers! We also have a special guest pianist for this concert, Chicago-area collaborative pianist William Buhr.
What is your long-term vision for the Vocal Studies Program? Do you have any special projects planned?
I have several projects planned for the coming year, including some exciting, themed programs, as well as collaborative concerts with other performance areas including Chamber Music, plus a new iteration of the Opera Scenes program. In the long term, I have in mind a project for newly composed songs with student singer-pianist duos and concerts with special instruments including period keyboard and/or other instruments.
Have you discovered any new favorite spots in Hyde Park or on campus?
I live for Plein Air Cafe's maple latte!
What are three songs you’ve had on repeat recently?
Mahler's 2nd symphony, as I'm the soprano soloist in the University Symphony Orchestra & Choirs upcoming performances on May 9 and 10 (and have been coaching the German diction for the choirs!); Dominic Argento's Six Elizabethan Songs, which I'm performing with a chamber music group in Maine at the end of May; and James Kallembach's Autumn Violets, a song cycle on poetry of Christina Rossetti that he wrote for me, which I'm singing with the Brooklyn Art Song Society in June.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Nature walks, baking, and cuddling up in front of a movie or TV show with our cute but mischievous Shih Tzu, Rawnald Gregory Erickson II, who loves watching his stories!
Any upcoming projects or performances you’d like to plug?
See my three songs on repeat above!