Biography

Dr. Susan Carter, DMA
Potter Hall 102, 271-4420
scarter10@missouriwestern.edu

Dr. Susan Carter, Assistant Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, serves as the Director of the Vocal Studies in the Department of Music at MWSU and is a recipient of a 2012 Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching. Dr. Carter received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Texas at Arlington, Master of Music degree from Texas Christian University and Doctor of Music degree from Texas Tech University.

Dr. Carter has performed internationally in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and France and nationally with companies including the Dallas Opera, Dallas Ballet, Rochester Opera, Liederkranz Society of New York, Syracuse Opera and symphonies including the Dallas Symphony, Ft. Worth Symphony and Denver Symphony. Leading roles include "Lucia", "Queen of the Night", "Constanza", "Donna Anna", and "Leonora" in Verdi's il Trovatore in New Orleans.

As the soprano soloist Dr. Carter has performed in Verdi's Requiem, Mozart's Coronation Mass at Carnegie Hall, the Southwest premier of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem, Orff's Carmina Burana with the Dallas Ballet and numerous performances of Messiah. Recent performances include "Ortlinde" in Die Walküre with the American Opera Theater in NYC and the St. Joseph Symphony's Beethoven No. 9 Choral.

Stage directing is a passion and Dr. Carter continues to receive acknowledgement by placing 2nd nationally in the "stage director category" of the 2012 National Opera Association opera competition. She served as Artistic Director of Missouri Western's 2011 production of Phantom and continues to provide vocal students from her studio for university and area musical productions.

She is the energetic force and director behind the newly created opera program, Missouri Western Opera Theater, touring area public and private schools presenting operas for all ages. Recent operas have included Monkey See, Monkey Do and Little Red Riding Hood. Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck will be performed Fall 2012. Thanks to a generous grant from Missouri Western Foundation, the opera will be collaboration between the Department of Music and the Department of Art's Eric Fuson and his talented students. Animation will be incorporated to offer an exciting combination of art and music utilizing the talents of Missouri Western's students.

Studio students of Dr. Carter excel as 1st place winners and finalists in competitions such as the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), National Opera Association (NOA) and finalists in the 2012 Classical Singer's competition held in Chicago in May.

Serving on Missouri Western's Faculty Senate, Dr. Carter continues to contribute to the Arts community as a member of university committees and community committees, such as the St. Joseph's Art Council.

As a certified Kundalini Yoga instructor and co-founder of the Well-Tempered Body, she offers a class each semester through the university and presents workshops nationally in "Body and Breath Awareness" working with performers and speakers at universities and festivals.