Phyllis Curtin
Born in Clarksburg, West Virginia, Phyllis Curtin played violin from early childhood until she went to Wellseley College, from which she graduated with honors as a political science student. While at the college she began formal vocal study. Her career started with concerts in Boston and New York, where she made her debut with the New York City Opera in 1954. Miss Curtin has premiered more new operas than any American soprano and has had more than 100 works written especially for her. She has sung with the major orchestras in the United States and Europe, performed at the principal music festivals in the country, and her Master Classes at the Berkshire Festival (Tanglewood) are world-renowned. She has served as Professor of Music, Director of Opera, and Dean of the School for the Arts at Yale University.