Dr. Nancy Gustafson

Biography

Nancy Gustafson is an acclaimed opera singer and Artist-in-Residence at Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music. Born in Evanston, Illinois, she earned her Master of Music degree from Northwestern University and an honorary doctorate from Mount Holyoke College. Throughout her distinguished career, she has performed at prestigious opera houses worldwide, including the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House, and Teatro alla Scala, where she is recognized for her exceptional roles in operas such as 'La bohème', 'Die Fledermaus', and 'La traviata'. Gustafson debuted at the Chicago Lyric Opera in the role of Marguerite in 'Faust' and subsequently made her mark in European operatic circles. She has collaborated with renowned conductors including Lorin Maazel and Riccardo Muti and has recorded with major orchestras, contributing to classical music with recordings of Mahler's Symphony No. 2 and other significant works. In addition to her performing career, Gustafson is actively involved in community outreach through her foundation, Songs of Heart, which aims to connect individuals with memory loss through the joy of music. She leads interactive singing programs across multiple states, impacting lives through the power of music.

Research Interests

Experience