This summer, the Georgia State University School of Music proudly marks the 40th season of the Harrower Summer Opera Workshop—one of the longest-running and most respected training programs of its kind in the nation. Since its founding in 1980, the Workshop has helped launch the careers of more than 800 singers, directors, and coaches, offering intensive, hands-on training in the heart of downtown Atlanta.
The program was the vision of internationally acclaimed singers Peter and Irene Harrower, who saw a need for high-level opera training in the Southeast—a region where, at the time, young artists had limited opportunities to participate in staged productions. They believed, as Peter once said, “There is no chance for young people to participate in opera, only to hear it. The stage is the greatest teacher.” With that guiding philosophy, they combined their private voice studios with Georgia State’s curriculum and facilities to create a program that offered comprehensive instruction in operatic singing, stage movement, characterization, diction, acting, and role preparation.
As early as its sixth season in 1986, the Workshop had already established itself as a vital training resource for local and regional singers who would have otherwise needed to travel out of state for comparable instruction. A publication from that year highlights the program’s role in “augmenting and strengthening existing local and regional opera organizations by serving as an available training wing,” while focusing attention on “Atlanta and this urban area as a major force for the advancement of operatic training in the Southeast.” The summer of 1986 also introduced modular stage sets and marked the program’s largest enrollment to date, with 34 participants and 9 auditors—culminating in standing-room-only performances.
That year marked a turning point in both artistic growth and institutional recognition. The College of Arts and Sciences committed financial support and facilities to the project, contingent on demonstrated community interest—a condition that was not only met but exceeded. The Workshop also became formally integrated into Georgia State’s graduate voice curriculum, thanks to Peter Harrower’s work in designing the university’s vocal performance degree.
Over the decades, the Workshop has earned a national reputation for excellence, in large part due to the caliber of faculty and guest artists who have lent their expertise. Following Peter’s passing in 1988, Irene continued to develop the program with Dr. W. Dwight Coleman, who became Executive and Artistic Director in 1991. Coleman introduced a tradition of presenting one-act American operas with composers-in-residence, beginning with Milton Granger’s Uncharted Waters. This vision would lead to two invitations to perform at the National Opera Association Convention, for Test Tube in 1993 and Bluebeard’s Waiting Room in 2008.
When Coleman was appointed Director of the School of Music, stage director Carroll Freeman stepped into the role of Artistic Director. Under their leadership, the program expanded to include two fully staged operas each summer, bolstered by the presence of celebrated Artists-in-Residence such as Sherrill Milnes, Frederica von Stade, Angela Brown, George Shirley, Ron Raines, Marni Nixon, and GRAMMY® Award-winning tenor and GSU faculty member, Richard Clement.
Following Freeman’s tenure, stage director JJ Hudson served as Artistic Director from 2023–2024. Known for his sensitive and dynamic productions, Hudson brought renewed energy to the program as he reopened the Harrower Summer Opera Workshop following a brief hiatus. During his time as the Valerie Adams Professor of Opera at Georgia State University, Hudson directed both the university’s conservatory productions and the summer opera program. Under his leadership, the Workshop featured internationally celebrated soprano Talise Trevigne as Artist-in-Residence. Hudson now serves as the Interim Artistic Director of Opera at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he continues to shape the next generation of operatic talent.
The Workshop's alumni have gone on to achieve remarkable success in the world of opera and beyond. Notable alumni include:
- Gabrielle Beteag: A Georgia State University and Harrower Summer Opera Workshop alumna, Gabrielle was named a Grand Finals Winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and has been a cast member of the San Francisco Opera.
- Glenn Seven Allen: An American actor and operatic tenor who has performed on Broadway, off-Broadway, and at notable opera venues throughout the United States. He currently serves on the Acting Faculty at the Yale School of Drama.
- Lisa Hopkins Seegmiller: An American classical singer and actress best known for her portrayal of Mimi in Baz Luhrmann's 2002–03 production of La bohème on Broadway, for which she received a 2003 Tony Award.
- Stephanie Blythe: An American mezzo-soprano who has had an active international career in operas and concerts since the early 1990s, particularly associated with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.
- Michael Sumuel: A bass-baritone who has performed with the Houston Grand Opera, San Francisco Opera, and Glyndebourne Festival, among others.
- Kimberli Render: A soprano who has performed with the Metropolitan Opera and completed her MM in Vocal Performance from Colorado State University.
- Matthew Reese: A countertenor who made his New York City debut with New York City Opera and has performed in various operatic roles across the country.
Supported by more than $500,000 in contributions and grants from organizations such as the Atlanta Music Festival Association, Fulton County Arts Council, Lanie & Ethel Foundation, Atlanta Opera Guild, and Atlanta Music Club, the program has remained accessible and affordable for highly talented young artists. Its impact has extended beyond the stage, fostering not only musical excellence but also a deeply rooted sense of artistic purpose and community.
In 2024, the Workshop entered a new chapter under the artistic leadership of Andrew Ryker, a Harrower alumnus and Lecturer in Voice at Georgia State, along with administrative support from Amy Reid and the Office of Educational Outreach. Reflecting on his own experience with the program, Ryker shared:
“Harrower was essential for me. It was my first experience outside of college, so it lent the weight to my resume that I needed to start securing more work. Besides the valuable training, exposure, and mentorship that I received during Harrower’s short three weeks, it was also a fantastic opportunity to make meaningful connections to other people in the field. This was perfectly illustrated at our National Association of Teachers of Singing event recently. I heard from so many Harrower alumni and friends—people who had attended themselves, sent their children, knew and loved the Harrowers, and had nothing but positive words about the program. To say that I’m honored to be Harrower’s new artistic director would be a huge understatement.”
To commemorate this milestone, a 40th Anniversary Gala Reception will take place on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM in the Rialto Center for the Arts Lobby, featuring performances by current participants and Artist-in-Residence Jennifer Rowley. Admission is free, but RSVP is required at this link.
As the Harrower Summer Opera Workshop celebrates four decades of operatic training, artistry, and legacy, Georgia State University invites the entire community to join in reflecting on the past—and shaping the next 40 years of extraordinary music-making.
