George Hogan - Voice Professor

George Hogan is an esteemed international operatic bass and dedicated voice teacher with a remarkable career spanning over four decades. Celebrated for his powerful, resonant voice and compelling stage presence, Hogan has graced the stage of nearly every opera house in North America and some of the world’s most prestigious opera houses, including the Sydney Opera House. His repertoire includes iconic roles in operas by Bellini, Berlioz, Gounod, Handel, Meyerbeer, Mozart, Puccini, Rossini, Verdi, and Wagner. He has appeared on NPR Radio and Live from Lincoln Center Broadcasts. He has received awards and grants from the George and Nora London Foundation, Richard Tucker Music Foundation, William Matthew Sullivan Foundation, Luciano Pavarotti Competition and the Arturo Giargiari Bel Canto Competition. Hogan studied voice with the famous Metropolitan Opera bass, Giorgio Tozzi, and trained at the prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, PA. In addition to his performance career, George has taught professionally and at the collegiate level for over 25 years. He is a passionate voice teacher with a holistic approach emphasizing vocal technique, style, artistic interpretation, and individual expression. He is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of vocal talent. Hogan's contributions to the stage and the voice studio have earned him acclaim and respect in the global music community.

Penny Hogan - Voice Professor

Penny Hogan is a distinguished soprano and voice teacher, renowned for her rich vocal artistry and her commitment to nurturing the next generation of singers. As a soprano, she captivated audiences with her expressive interpretations and technical precision, effortlessly navigating a diverse repertoire that spans classical, contemporary, opera, and musical theatre. Penny graduated with honors from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa (home of the Des Moines Metro Opera) with a Bachelor of Music Education in voice.  She received her Master of Music from the University of Michigan in Vocal Performance/Opera. She is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, where she has served as both Chapter President and Auditions Chair. She served as the head of the voice area and as a voice professor at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor for over 20 years. Penny made her NYC debut as a soloist at Carnegie Hall. She has been awarded the Shoshana Foundation’s Richard F. Gold Career Grant and was a finalist in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Metropolitan Opera Auditions.

Dr. Lydia Consilvio - Composer, Singer-Song Writer

Dr. Lydia Consilvio is a dynamic singer-songwriter, oboist, and educator with extensive experience across a variety of musical disciplines. As a Teaching Artist for the Lullaby Project, in partnership with Carnegie Hall and Cantata Singers, Lydia collaborates with new parents to create personal lullabies, bringing her deep understanding of music's emotional power to intimate settings. This work reflects her passion for using music to connect and inspire.

Lydia’s original music combines heartfelt lyrics with captivating melodies, blending the pure and reedy quality of her voice with the rich texture of the oboe and English horn. As a songwriter, she has been recognized as a semifinalist in the Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards and has received multiple accolades for her socially impactful compositions, including the Express Yourself Award and Provost Award from the University of Maryland for her song, “Give Us Your Vote.”

In addition to her work as a songwriter, Lydia has performed her original songs in a variety of venues, including MilkBoy ArtHouse, Vigilante Coffee Company, Gildenhorn Recital Hall at the University of Maryland, and the College Park Outdoor Performance Series. She has also collaborated with rapper Konshens the MC, performing live at One Love Massive HQ.

A seasoned educator, Lydia served as a Visiting Lecturer of Music (Oboe) at the University of Oklahoma, where she taught undergraduate and graduate students. Her wide-ranging experience in both classical music and contemporary songwriting gives her a unique perspective as a teacher, empowering her students to find their own voice and creativity in songwriting. Lydia holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Oboe Performance from the University of Maryland, a Master of Music from Yale University, and a Bachelor of Music from the Eastman School of Music. Connect with Lydia at oboestudio.com.

Heather Tipsword - Collaborative Pianist

Heather earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Texas Tech University in Piano Performance, along with a Master of Music Degree in Collaborative Arts from Baylor University, where she studied under international Artist Dr. John Cozza. A sought after collaborator, she has worked with choirs, vocalists, and chamber musicians from around the world. Well versed in both opera and musical theatre, Mrs. Tipsword’s extensive directing repertoire includes productions of Into The Woods, Annie, Annie Get Your Gun, 42nd Street, West Side Story, Hello Dolly, L’il Abner, The Boyfriend, Grease, Legally Blonde, 9 to 5 The Musical, the South Texas premiere of Disney’s Tarzan and The Producers. Her opera repertoire includes Carmen, The Old Maid and the Thief, Amahl and the Night Visitors, The Marriage of Figaro, The Barber of Seville, and The Ballade of Baby Doe. Mrs. Tipsword is a frequent collaborator in Houston with Bayou City Concert Musicals. Her musical direction of BCCM’s Alone Together, The Music of Arthur Schwartz prompted Broadwayworld.com critic David Clarke to write: “Musical Direction by Heather Tipsword was immaculately charming. Each number and vocalist impressed the audience, making us beam with smiles and sway with the music. She also provided perfect accompaniment on the piano…” Mrs. Tipsword has enjoyed a long career as a Vocal Coach. Her students/former students have appeared on Broadway, at the Met, and in various national and international tours.