Drake University Music Department

Join us this Sunday, June 7, at 7:00 PM at the Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park for our Season Kickoff, “Home Grown,” featuring guest vocalist Max Wellman! Complete schedule with all locations on the website 👉 https://www.musicunderthestars.org/

One week until Zenith’s 12th Season!
https://www.zenithchambermusicfestival.org

One week until Zenith's 12th Season!
https://www.zenithchambermusicfestival.org

Our fourth intern to be introduced is Caiden Abbott! This is Caiden’s first time interning with DUVI and we are so excited to have him with us for DUVI ‘26.

Caiden is going into his senior year at Drake University majoring in Music and Marketing. He takes part in Drake Choir and Spero Chamber Choir as well being a member of Theta Chi Fraternity and a student ambassador.

When asked what he was most excited about with DUVI he responded, “Getting to meet all the students who visit Drake for this program, and helping them see how great this campus is!”

Congratulations to Alyssa Becker, one of three faculty members in the Department of Music recently honored with the Ella Shroyer Kratz Award for Outstanding Teaching in Music. This award recognizes excellence, innovation, and commitment to student learning. 🐾🎶

Mezzo-soprano Dr. Becker has performed across the United States and internationally in China and the Baltics, with credits including Der Rosenkavalier (Octavian), Le Nozze di Figaro (Marcellina), Albert Herring (Mum), and Falstaff (Meg). Her career reflects incredible artistry, versatility, and dedication to vocal performance.

An accomplished educator, vocal pedagogue, and Director of the Drake University Voice Intensive, Dr. Becker’s students have continued on to collegiate music programs across the country and earned recognition in regional and national competitions.

Thank you, , for the care, mentorship, and artistry you bring to the students in the Drake University Department of Music! 💙

Finished our second visit to Urbandale highschool yesterday, always such fun to get to sing for the students!

Had a great time playing wind quintet hits at Waukee High School and Prairieview School with my Simpson College colleagues today! The students were super attentive and asked great questions!

Since joining the voice faculty at Drake University in 2007, Professor Christine Fortner Blanner has made a lasting impact as both a teacher and mentor. Her students are frequent winners of National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) + Iowa NATS competitions and continue on to graduate programs and young artist training opportunities across the globe.

Professor Blanner has performed throughout the United States and internationally in China, Italy, Switzerland, and France, bringing incredible artistry and dedication to vocal performance to stages around the world. Her performance credits include leading operatic roles and featured soprano soloist performances in works by Beethoven, Mozart, Barber, and Haydn.

Her impact as both an artist and educator was recently recognized as one of three faculty members in the Department of Music honored with the Ella Shroyer Kratz Award for Outstanding Teaching in Music, recognizing excellence, innovation, and commitment to student learning.

Thank you, Prof. Blanner, for your continued dedication to students in Drake Opera Theatre and the Department of Music! 🐾🎶

Thank you to all the alumni who stopped by to visit us at this week! We are so proud to see some of the most thriving instrumental music programs across the state are an extension of your hard work here at !

🐾 Follow our page for upcoming opportunities for your current students here on campus —>

Go Bulldogs! 🎶💙