Marilyn Buxbaum

Marilyn Buxbaum received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Buffalo, and her Master Of Humanities from Old Dominion University. The founder of the popular class "Opera for Everyone," Marilyn has taught actively at Old Dominion University since 1991. Prior to her coming to ODU, Marilyn taught "Music for the Classroom," "Music Appreciation," and "Opera for Everyone" at Tidewater Community College. She is actively involved as a pianist and accompanist in the Tidewater area. Marilyn serves on executive boards of the Virginia Opera and The Virginia Arts Festival, and is director of a local Klezmer Band.

Marlene Ford

Marlene has been an Adjunct Assistant with the Old Dominion University School of Music teaching music appreciation and French Horn for many years. She is also available as a private music instructor of French Horn for the ODU Community Music Division to students of all ages. She and husband Robert, trombonist, are active performers in the Virginia Symphony, Eastern Brass Quintet, Williamsburg Symphony, and Norfolk Chamber Consort. Marlene and Robert also regularly perform for Young Audiences of Virginia, receiving awards as teaching artists.

Karen Hoy

originally from Philadelphia, received the Bachelor of Music degree from Temple University and Master of Science degree from The Juilliard School. Ms. Hoy has performed extensively in recital, opera and oratorio. Her opera roles include; Norina in Don Pasquale, Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro, Miss Wordsworth in Albert Herring, Gretel in Hänsel und Gretel, Carolina in The Secret Marriage, Elisa in Il Re Pastore, Annchen in Der Freischütz, Madame Heartfelt in The Impresario, and Fiona in Brigadoon among others. Her oratorio experience includes soprano soloist in; Britten's Cantata Academica, Messiah, J.S. Bach's Magnificat, the Requiems of Mozart and Brahms, Haydn's Creation, Paukenmesse and Lord Nelson Mass and many others. Her major instructors were Ellen Faull, Estelle Liebling, and Eleanor Steber. She has won numerous vocal competitions including first place from the Liederkranz Foundation, second place from the Kosciusko Foundation, and the Flagler Museum's Recital Award. Prominent conductors and directors she has worked with include James Conlon (Alice Tully Hall), Robert Page, Martial Singher, Gustav Meier, Abraham Kaplan, Anton Coppola and Boris Goldovsky. Ms. Hoy has made her home in Norfolk since 1993 maintaining a private studio of advanced high school students and adults. Her students have been accepted at major music schools and conservatories and former students have sung at major opera houses in the United States, Europe and on Broadway. Ms. Hoy has been teaching voice privately for over 30 years. She has also taught at The Pennsylvania State University, Christopher Newport University, The Governor's School for the Arts and Old Dominion University. Along with private voice she has taught lyric diction, opera workshop and Art Song Literature, and has presented workshops on art song in Hampton Roads and central Pennsylvania. She is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and has served as President and Governor of the Virginia Chapter of NATS. She has regularly presented her students and other gifted, emerging local singers in theme recitals including; Made in America, La Serenissima, Schumann Liederabend, The Songs of Libby Larsen, Mendelssohn and The Sopranos and many more. Ms. Hoy was the Founder and President of Cantabile Project from 2013 through 2018, a non-profit vocal arts organization serving emerging and professional singers in Hampton Roads through art song recitals, master classes and soirees. Cantabile Project programs focused on dramatized theme recitals including The Measure of Our Years, a dramatic presentation of the human experience from childhood to old age developed by New Triad for the Collaborative Arts, Where the Music Comes From: What Motivates Us to Sing, Wild Sounds focusing on environmental issues, War and Peace, Liebe: Love songs of Robert Schumann and Jake Heggie, Songbirds Always Eat: a Recital for Foodies, Mahler Liederabend and The Songs of Maurice Ravel. She is the Community Music Division's newest instructor for its lifelong learners Opera for Everyone class.

Materials

Pen/pencil and paper for taking notes, if desired

Prerequisites

None

Delivery Method

In person by lecture and demonstration.

Target Audience

Senior citizens, adults, couples, and the military

Parking

Course includes VIP parking next to the Diehn Fine & Performing Arts building.