About
Sherry
Overholt
Voice Teacher
sherry.overholt@purchase.edu
Dr. Sherry Overholt, Director of Vocal and Opera Studies, has combined a long and successful career with operatic and concert performances in addition to her teaching positions at The Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, Purchase College Conservatory, and the Curtis Institute of Music.
As a private voice teacher in Manhattan and at three academic colleges her students have been contracted by opera companies and festivals, including New York City Festival Opera, The Metropolitan Opera, Lindeman Young Artist Program at the Met, Santa Fe Opera, and numerous regional opera companies. Her students have also won numerous competitions, most recently, the Semi- Finals of The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Awards for the Metropolitan Opera. This past summer marks the 22nd season for Ms. Overholt as Artistic Director/Vocal instructor for The Queens Summer Vocal Institute, which is dedicated to empowering high school and emerging operatic artists.
As a performer, Dr. Overholt performed for Columbia Artists Management in joint operatic concerts for ten years and sang title roles in numerous regional opera houses. Her recordings include: The title role in Frank Lewin’s opera Burning Bright for Albany Records, Vincent Persichetti’s Song Cycle: Harmonium and Legacy of Songs of Persichetti for MSR Classics.
Ms. Overholt received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Miami, and her Masters, Master of Musical Arts, and Doctorate in Vocal Performance from Yale University. She studied under Metropolitan Opera Soprano Phyllis Curtin, who taught at Yale and at the Tanglewood Music Center for 54 years. Ms. Overholt was a Tanglewood Fellow and subsequently she was accepted to Yale for further study.
As a teacher, Dr. Overholt adjudicated for three years for the National Fulbright Foundation, Classical Singer, National Opera Association and gives masterclasses year-round. Dr. Overholt has been passionate about mentoring young students as a college professor for over twenty-five years. Her dedication, wisdom, and experience at The Aaron Copland School help provide young artists with the tools and technical foundation at the undergraduate and graduate level and guides them further to the next level of concert and operatic success.
Recordings
Burning Bright: Opera in Three Acts World Premiere**
Vincent Persichetti: Harmonium Song Cycle for Soprano and Piano**
Vincent Persichetti: Legacy of Songs**
Recent Achievements*
2026 First Prize from The National Opera Association for 2025 production Albert Herring, Dr. Sherry Overholt Producer, Aaron Copland School of Music
2026 NYSSMA requirement for Emily Dickinson songs of Vincent Persichetti recorded in Ms. Overholt’s unpublished songs CD Legacy of Songs recorded in 2015 with MSR Classics.
2025 Raymond D. Gasper Award in recognition of outstanding scholarship and collaboration with The Department of Drama, Theatre, Dance and Fashion at Queens College
2024 Honoree - Queens College, Aaron Copland School of Music from Schneps Media
Power Women Award Powerwomanlongisland.com
2004 to present: Mentoring over eighty students (high school and College age) at the Queens Summer Vocal Institute with voice lessons, coachings, masterclasses and three opera productions. This program recruits more than 50% of the undergraduate and graduate students for the Voice Program at the Aaron Copland School of Music
*Please see supporting materials for Recent Achievements that will be uploaded separately