Susan Ali

Contact Information:

Faculty Office Telephone: (909) 979-5569
E-mail: sali@cpp.edu
Music Department Office: (909) 869-3548
Fax #: (909) 869-4145

Education:

• Ed.D in College Music Pedagogy-Voice, Columbia University, Teachers College, New York, New York
• M.F.A. in Vocal Performance, University of California, Irvine
• B.M. in Vocal Performance, San Diego State University

Subjects:

• Voice Seminar
• Beginning and Intermediate Voice Class
• Music Theatre Workshop (Operetta, Musical Theatre, Opera)

Professional Memberships:

• College Music Society
• National Opera Association

Bio:

Susan Ali, Mezzo-soprano, serves as Coordinator of the Vocal Area at CPP, teaches and facilitates voice-related courses, and directs the Music Theatre program.  She holds the BM in Vocal Performance from San Diego State University, the MFA Vocal Performance degree from UC Irvine, and the EdD from Columbia University. Dr. Ali is an active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Los Angeles Chapter (NATS-LA), serving on the Executive Board.  Vocal area students at CPP have become involved in NATS masterclasses and competition, National Opera Association presentation, and have been honored with scholarships in winning a number of outside competitions.

Some of Dr. Ali’s favorite roles as a performing artist include the title role in Carmen, the Witch who Eats Children in Hänsel und Gretel, Sally in Follies, Maria in The Sound of Music, Sarah in Company, and Nancy in Oliver! Concert work includes engagements as a soloist for Mahler’s Symphonies No. 2, 3,and4; Alto soloist in Verdi Requiem; the Witch of Endor in Honegger’sLe Roi David; and a series of annual pop concerts with San Diego Chamber Orchestra. Susan has performed as a soloist with Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Pasadena Pops, Symphony Irvine, Montage Orchestra, Concordia Masterworks, Orange County Opera, South Bay Opera, San Diego Master Chorale, and more.

“In addition to vocal skills, Carmen ought to be, in the words of Raymond Chandler, the type of woman who could make a bishop kick in a stained-glass window.  The production has such a Carmen in Susan Ali, a charismatic singer who combined a rich, dark tone and ease of projection with a performance of raw sexuality.  The role doesn’t come any more passionate and seductive than Ali’s version.”

 “Susan Ali gave the entire production a jolt in her appearance as the witch.  Energetic, with a clear, radiant voice and thoroughly convincing expression, she gave a fully developed and daring performance of comic ingenuity.”                                                                                    –Peter Lefevere; Orange County Register