Mary Ann Swerdfeger

1995 Winner of the Brian Law Opera Scholarship Competition

Most recent biography, submitted by the artist in October 2009.

After winning the Brian Law Opera Scholarship in 1995, Mary Ann graduated from the New England Conservatory Opera Program with a Master of Music and a Graduate Diploma in Vocal Performance. She then performed extensively in opera, recital, and musical theater throughout the United States, Canada, and Japan.

In 2005 Mary Ann graduated from the City University of New York’s Lehman College Campus with a Master of Teaching in Music Education through the New York City Teaching Fellowship, a program that recruits professionals to teach in high-needs urban schools. As a NYC Teaching Fellow, Mary Ann taught general music, singing and choral music in the south Bronx and in Staten Island.

Mary Ann is the artistic director of the opera workshop program at the prestigious LaGuardia High School of Art, Music and the Performing Arts in Manhattan (the “Fame” school), where she also teaches singing and Music History. She continues to study voice with Irene Gubrud and to coach with David Rebhun in Manhattan.