Alumni
Music Academy alumni number more than 5,500. A veritable "who's who" in the world of classical music, Academy alumni perform around the globe as soloists and in major symphony orchestras, chamber orchestras, ensembles, and opera companies. Many teach at prestigious universities and conservatories.
Noted alumni include Metropolitan Opera stars Marilyn Horne ('53), Thomas Hampson ('78), Frank Lopardo ('83), Jennifer Larmore ('82) and Grace Bumbry ('56); Jung-Ho Pak ('89), former Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the San Diego Symphony; Lotfi Mansouri ('57), General Director Emeritus of the San Francisco Opera; Cynthia Phelps ('79, '83), Principal Violist with the New York Philharmonic; clarinetist David Shifrin ('68), former Artistic Director of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center; and Laurence Lesser ('53), former President of the New England Conservatory.
Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
2007 - no award given
2006 - Donald Weilerstein (violin '55)
2005 - Burt Bacharach (composition '55)
2004 - Grace Bumbry (mezzo-soprano '56-'59)
2003 - Anthony Plog (trumpet '68)
2002 - Paul Schenly (piano '69)
2001 - Cynthia Phelps (viola '79, '83)
2000 - Lotfi Mansouri (tenor '57)
1999 - Martin Katz (piano '64)
1998 - David Shifrin (clarinet '68)
1997 - no award given
1996 - Pamela Frank (violin '83, '84)
1995 - Marilyn Horne (mezzo-soprano '53)
1994 - Thomas Hampson (baritone '78, '79)
