Faculty Profile

Mary Ann Lanier

M.M., Boston University
B.M., Oberlin College

Mary Ann Lanier performs operas, oratorios, musicals, recitals, improvised music, and she particularly enjoys singing American music. The Boston Globe wrote of her, “Lanier’s soprano soars and she boasts excellent diction.” A versatile artist, Lanier’s work ranges from movie soundtrack recordings to a showcase at the pop/rock music industry festival, South by Southwest (Austin, TX) to singing Zarzuela roles with the Jarvis Zarzuela Festival (Napa, CA). She has sung with Opera Aperta, Masterworks Chorale, Fine Arts Chorale, Raylynmor Opera, Opera to Go, New Opera Theater Ensemble, Boston Vocal Artists, and the MIT Wind Ensemble. Lanier has performed recitals of American music at the University of the Holy Cross, MidSummer Macon (Macon, GA), Old South Meeting House, Orchard House, East Alabama Arts Society, Boston Public Library, Nesmith House (Lowell, MA).

Ms. Lanier is a founding member and producing director of the acclaimed American music concert series, American Classics. The Boston Globe wrote of this group, “These are people you want to hear.” Lloyd Schwartz of the Boston Phoenix wrote, “Pure Delight!” Lanier has served as a director and principal soprano of the award-winning touring educational opera group, Opera to Go.

In 2005 Mary Ann sang the world premiers of A White Lilac by Charles Shadle and Gleams from the Bosom of Darkness by Lior Novak. Mary Ann collaborated with composer Graham Gordon Ramsay on a piece commissioned by American Classics for soprano, violin, cello, and piano; and in February of 2006, she sang the premiere of the finished work, Be My Love: songs of love, lust and other folly. She also had the honor of singing the role of Dr. Sydney Hill in the world premier of Charles Shadle’s, Coyote’s Dinner, as guest artist on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Affiliated Artist Concert Series.

Ms. Lanier has served on the music faculties of Tufts University, Wellesley College, and MIT. She served as Director of Choral Music at Brooks School in North Andover, MA. At present she is Music Lesson Program Coordinator at Groton School, Groton, MA. She teaches voice at Groton School and New England Conservatory. Lanier joined the faculty of Bridgewater State College in September 2007.

Office: Maxwell Library 312E

Last Modified: October 21, 2007