Dr. Stephen West

Biography

Stephen West has had a long distinguished career as a bass-baritone, performing over 150 roles with some of the finest opera companies in the world including the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala, and the Salzburg Festival. He has participated in major festivals and performed alongside renowned conductors like Sir Riccardo Muti and James Levine. As the Chair of the Voice and Opera Department at the University of Michigan's School of Music, Theatre & Dance, he combines teaching with an active performance schedule. West is an alumnus of the University of Colorado in Boulder and has earned advanced diplomas in Opera Studies from the Curtis Institute of Music. He has received numerous prestigious awards, including the New York City Opera Kolozsvar Award, and has made significant contributions as a teacher and mentor to aspiring opera artists. His students have gone on to enjoy successful careers in leading opera houses and music festivals across North America and Europe. Throughout his career, West has maintained a focus on contemporary music and has excelled in the operatic repertoire of composers like Verdi and Wagner. He continues to perform and has recently participated in the world premiere of Frances Pollock’s social justice opera, 'Stinney: An American Execution.'

Research Interests