Finding His Voice in the Arts
School of Music alumnus Timothy Murray (BM vocal performance, BA theatre arts, 2014) is set to make his debut on the Metropolitan Opera stage in mid-September, singing the role of The Seatwarmer in the New York premiere of Grounded by Jeannie Tesori and George Brant. With undergraduate degrees earned from the School of Music and Theatre Arts, Murray discovered a fulfilling career performing on the opera stage.
Making it in New York City’s famous Broadway theaters was always a long term goal for Murray. Growing up in a suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was initially involved in theater and then musical theater. Even starting at the University of Minnesota he enrolled as a theatre arts major. Murray quickly discovered that he missed music and singing but still wanted to perform on stage. He made the decision to pursue a double major in theatre arts and vocal performance, gaining the technical background and skills necessary for his future.
Vocal performance courses were added to his schedule, and Murray immersed himself in all the courses that are essential to a music major’s education, including music history, piano, theory, language diction, and voice lessons, guided by the meticulous instruction of now retired Professor Jean del Santo. It was through these courses and lessons at the School of Music that he was introduced to the art of opera.
In that first year, Murray discovered his true passion was, as he puts it, “up about twenty blocks, from the Broadway theaters in Hell’s Kitchen to the Classical Halls of Lincoln Center.”
During his time at the University of Minnesota School of Music, Murray’s favorite experience was singing in the chorus for Britten’s War Requiem with the University Singers. This performance was part of a larger collaboration called the Britten Peace Project with the choir at Hochschule für Musik in Detmold, Germany. A few undergraduates, including Murray, were selected to travel to Germany and join the chorus, and he found the experience “truly inspirational and deeply moving.”
Between his graduation in 2014 and the present day, Murray has tackled numerous roles in the opera world across the country while building his career. He pursued further education at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia and the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. His recent European debut made waves in France where he sung the title role in Mozart’s Don Giovanni. His upcoming performance at the Met will definitely be added to those career highlights.
Murray shares he’s “unbelievably excited” to make his debut at the Met. He believes it will be an emotional moment when he steps on the stage for the first time. “I’m sure there will be nerves too, but the team on this production has been so supportive and inspiring. I’m just honored and happy to be a small part of it!” The first line he sings on stage will be “Lucky F**ker,” and he says that phrase couldn’t be more true of how he’s feeling.
His advice for vocal students would be to prioritize the technical study of the voice. “A strong and reliable technique is absolutely essential in this industry and will only expand a singer’s capacity for expression, storytelling, and artistry.” Murray says. “Take time in the practice room each day to get to know your own voice. Seek additional lessons with a teacher or vocal coach you connect with. Train with the same discipline as a ballet dancer or figure skater, who, like opera singers, are highly skilled artistic athletes.”
Photo: Tai Power Seeff
