Department of Vocal Performance

Head of the Department:
Prof. Asta Krikščiūnaitė
E-mail: asta.kriksciunaite@lmta.lt

Coordinator
Lukas Sandhu
E-mail: lukas.sandhu@lmta.lt
Phone: +370 603 04 028
LMTA Building 2, Vilniaus 6-2, 01110 Vilnius, Room 216.

Address:
Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, Building 6
Pamėnkalnio 15, 01114 Vilnius, Lithuania
Auditorium 111

The subdivision of the Department is Opera Studio.

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The Department of Vocal Performance features renowned Lithuanian singers and educators whose invaluable experience continues to shape the field of professional singing and vocal pedagogy. The study programme consists of closely interconnected core and general disciplines. The department trains highly qualified opera soloists, performers of chamber vocal music, and vocal pedagogy specialists.

Since 1998, student training has followed a three-tier study system:

1. Bachelor’s (BA) in Music Performance – Specialization: Singing
2. Master’s (MA) in Music Performance – Specializations: Singing, Chamber Singing, Baroque Opera
3. Doctoral (MD) Studies in Arts – Performance, Singing

Bachelor’s Studies in Music Performance, specialisation – Singing

Bachelor‘s  programme provides students with a strong background in classical singing and deepens their knowledge of classical vocal music. Professional skills such as vocal technique, stylistic interpretation, and artistic expression are developed. The curriculum includes theoretical subjects such as music theory, music history, Italian language, phonetics of various languages, and piano. Students also receive training in stage speech, stage movement, acting, and opera practice.

Master’s Studies in Music Performance, specialisations:

• Opera Studies: Focuses on refining vocal technique and operatic singing while exploring opera dramaturgy, music interpretation history, and theory.
• Chamber Singing: Emphasizes interpretation techniques and performance of diverse styles and genres, particularly in chamber and concert music. Training also includes body movement and advanced phonetics of foreign languages.
• Baroque Opera: Specializes in Baroque vocal music interpretation and technique, Baroque ornamentation and rhetoric, figured bass, as well as Baroque gestures and dance.

Doctoral Studies in Arts, specialisation – Music (Singing)

Doctoral studies include preparing and performing a representative programme (concert-level and creative work), demonstrating artistic, creative, and technical skills acquired during doctoral studies. Under the guidance of a supervisor, students select an appropriate repertoire, study the nuances of musical interpretation, and refine their performance techniques according to stylistic, genre, and technical requirements. Doctoral studies lasts 4 years and ends with public performances and presentation of doctoral thesis.

Opera Studio

Opero Studio established in 1961. The Studio trains opera soloists (singer-actors) with a goal of developing professionals who are open to intercultural exchange and artistic inspiration.

Master’s-level Opera Studio studies build on undergraduate training, refining students’ ability to perform in opera productions. The programme integrates vocal and acting techniques, develops artistic individuality, and deepens the understanding of professional and creative challenges within musical theater as a synthetic art form.

Students apply principles of musical dramaturgy in practice, preparing and performing vocal roles of various styles and complexities. They explore stage and musical interpretation through both individual and collective creative processes. The studio regularly invites international vocal, stage movement, and acting instructors, organizes masterclasses, and facilitates critical discussions on contemporary opera topics to broaden cultural perspectives.

Competitions and Collaborations

The Department of Vocal Performance, in collaboration with its partners, organizes several prestigious vocal competitions:

• Vincė Jonuškaitė-Zaunienė Vocalists’ Competition
• Stasys Baras Vocal Competition
• International Virgilijus Noreika Vocal Competition

Additionally, the department actively participates in the Nordplus Higher Education Programme “NordOpera”, a network of opera schools, and annually organizes NordOpera intensive courses at LMTA.

Career Opportunities

Graduates with a Music Performer – Singer diploma are eligible to:

• Audition for opera soloist roles in Lithuanian and international opera houses.
• Perform professionally in classical music concerts.

Teach singing at music and arts schools, conservatories, and higher education institutions