Eric DeForest, D.M.A.

• D.M.A., University of Texas – Austin, TX
• M.M., West Virginia University – Morgantown, WY
• B.M, State University of New York – Fredonia, NY

2012

Any musical study, be it vocal or instrumental, is important to a liberal arts education because it helps to hone many skills, interpersonal relationships, multi-tasking, musicianship, leadership, and performance practice, to name a few. In my voice lessons and vocal seminar class, we focus quite a bit on performance practice. In whatever a student’s career goal is, be that a teacher, music therapist, Broadway star or CEO, they will be performing on a daily basis. Singing will help them to develop confidence, engagement and communication skills which are all tools they will need as they venture forth from Franklin College on to their chosen professions.

As a professional singer, tenor, I have had the opportunity to sing all over the world. Some of my favorite roles include Tamino in The Magic Flute, Basilio in The Marriage of Figaro, Judge Danforth in The Crucible, Nemorino in The Elixir of Love and Dickon in Secret Garden. I have also had the privilege of singing the solos in the Mozart Requiem in the Dom Cathedral in Salzburg, Austria, Mozart’s hometown.

I currently live on the SW side of Indianapolis with my partner, Jesse, 4 cats, 2 red-eyed tree frogs, an aquarium and our Goldendoodle, Beau! I am also the Music Director at St. Mark’s UMC in Carmel, IN.

I am a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Phi Mu Alpha (Professional Music Fraternity) and Pi Kappa Lambda (National Honors Fraternity)