Coach to hold master classes for singers

Middleton received his Bachelor of Music from The Juilliard School, and Master of Music, Master of Musical Arts and Doctor of Musical Arts from the Yale School of Music.

Having a genius for coaching and directing singers, Middleton is presently a teaching artist with the New York City Opera and is active as a private coach/accompanist for singers, many of whom are engaged in professional careers.

As a pianist Middleton has enjoyed a varied career as soloist, chamber musician and vocal accompanist.

In addition to the music of J S Bach, he has a special interest in the work of living composers and has recorded piano music of Joseph Fennimore and chamber music of George Walker. In 2004, he performed Michael Torke’s score for the Classic Stage Theatre’s production of The Winter’s Tale, and in 2001 was pianist for the Lincoln Centre Festival’s production of the opera White Raven by Philip Glass and Robert Wilson.

Middleton made his Weill Hall debut recital at Carnegie Hall in 1995, presented by Artists International, Inc.

Since then he has appeared regularly in the New York area. As soloist and chamber musician, Middleton has toured in the US and abroad, notably throughout Taiwan and Hong Kong under the auspices of the US Information Agency.

As Music Director of the Opera Theatre Workshop at the Harlem School of the Arts, his musical activities include programming, casting, rehearsing, conducting and managing a ten-week programme.

Under the artistic supervision of Betty Allen, Middleton established the Opera Theatre Workshop in 1994 and has expanded it into a staffed programme with chorus, soloists and chamber orchestra. He has participated in music festivals worldwide, including the Winter Festival, Campos de Jordan, Brazil; Emen Musikdorf, Switzerland; Charles Ives Summer Festival Danbury; Connecticut and Yale Chamber Music Festival.

In addition, Middleton has performed many times on WQXR, the classical radio station of the ‘New York Times’ and as accompanist for singers at the Harlem School of the Arts, he has played for its annual Radiothon for over ten years, as well as for many of the broadcasts celebrating the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

All students of voice and members of choirs are invited to attend, and so gain valuable training from this internationally respected artistic director and coach.

Singers are presently being prepared in both north and south so that these master classes can bring maximum benefit to the country’s wealth of musical talent.

Singers of all ability levels may sit in at these classes and receive helpful instruction on topics ranging from practice and performance skills to technique and artistic interpretation.

Middleton will also accompany Trinidadian soprano, Natalia Dopwell and British violinist, Oliver Lewis, in ‘Strings with Song 2006’, to be staged at the Queen’s Hall on the weekend June 23- 25.

Being coached by Middleton in New York, Natalia has a very high regard for his ability to impart his knowledge and to help in diagnosing the technical problems of singers and looks forward to a very successful concert series with him and Oliver Lewis.

For further information interested voice students, parents or trainers can contact the foundation’s office.