CAROL BELL

CAROL BELL has been teaching voice in the United States and abroad for over 35 years.  She is currently the only St. Louis-based voice teacher who provides both masterclasses and studio recitals for her students.  As a teacher and coach, she has worked with Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Webster University, University of Missouri, and University of Illinois Champagne-Urbana.  She regularly adjudicates vocal and arts competitions.  She was a pupil of renowned pianist Jane Allen and studied at the St. Louis Conservatory of Music with Edward Zambara, at the Hartt School of Music, and the University of Missouri.

Carol was the winner of the Thomas Peck Award for Most Promising Young Artist with the St. Louis Symphony.  She was a member of the Opera Theatre of St. Louis ensemble for eight years, performing comprimario roles and understudying major roles.  She appeared in the Opera Theatre of St. Louis National Tour of The Beggar’s Opera as Mrs. Vixen and in OTSL's Gilbert and Sullivan holiday operettas.  She has appeared as featured soloist with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, Bach Society, Masterworks Chorale, and Pieces of Eight.  Her career is distinguised by acclaimed oratorio performances with orchestras and choruses around the country.

As a conductor, she is the founder and director of OperaOne, a training and performance organization for singers in the greater MO and IL area. Carol served as Music Director of Midwest Lyric Opera, and worked as assistant conductor at opera houses and orchestras here and abroad.  She studied conducting at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the University of Missouri. 

She has worked extensively with Colin Graham (former Artistic Director of Opera Theatre of St. Louis), Donald Palumbo (current Chorus Master of the Metropolitan Opera), Zubin Mehta,  Robert Shaw, Ken Kiesler, Roger Nierenberg, and Jerry Hadley.