Mary Schiller

About

Dr. Mary Schiller is Head of the Voice Performance Division at Cleveland Institute of Music, a position she has held since 2002. A distinguished soprano with over 30 opera performances in leading roles including Violetta, Fiordiligi, and Susanna, Schiller brings international performance experience to her teaching. She has performed in oratorio and recital across Europe and North America, and has received prestigious grants for study in Germany including the Fulbright, Martha Baird Rockefeller, Richard Wagner Society, and DAAD awards, plus a Tanglewood Fellowship. Dr. Schiller has positioned CIM as a haven for Bel Canto, emphasizing the Italian method of singing that focuses on coordinating the breath perfectly with the muscles that control it. She teaches key principles including appoggio and legato to help students build the foundation for successful careers and vocal longevity. Her pedagogical approach combines technical mastery with artistic interpretation.

Education & Qualifications

BM from University of North Carolina at Greensboro, MM and DMA from The Ohio State University. Fulbright, Martha Baird Rockefeller, Richard Wagner Society, and Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst grants for German study. Tanglewood Fellowship.

Teaching Styles