I would like to welcome all new and returning students to my studio!  

I joined the Ithaca College faculty in the fall of 2006 and am pleased to call this wonderful community my home.  

I was born and raised in Saskatchewan, Canada, where, with the influence of the CBC and an immensely supportive family, I developed a love for classical vocal music.  I studied music at the University of Saskatchewan, receiving a Bachelor of Music degree in performance with Great Distinction.  In the fall of 1996, continued studies and professional aspirations brought me from Saskatchewan to New York City. 

I have a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey in addition to a Professional Studies Diploma in singing from Mannes College of Music and a Masters Degree in performance from Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, The City University of New York.

My primary love is teaching and I have a terrific group of students in my studio at Ithaca College.  Each semester, they have the opportunity to comment anonymously on my work with them.  Here are a few of those comments from previous semesters:

"Brad Hougham is a superior technician, teacher and musician.  Under his tutelage, I have found myself loving singing & performing like never before.  I am so very well prepared at all times due to his constant encouragement and hard work with me.  I could not fathom having anyone else work so well with & for me."

"Dr. Hougham is a conscientious, concerned, dedicated, demanding and inspirational teacher.  He combines the sensitivity to individual needs and the progress of each student with a universal demand that each singer pushes themselves beyond what they think they're capable of.  He ha been the most influential teacher/mentor of my college career and I will never forget the overwhelmingly positive effect he has had on my voice, my career at IC and my outlook on life."

"During my time with Dr. Hougham, I can honestly say that my confidence and ability in performing have increased immensely.  His teaching is both demanding and exciting, and I leave every lesson excited for the next time I perform or have a lesson."

"Dr. Hougham is an exceptional teacher with an insight and enthusiasm to share his love of the vocal instrument which never ceases to amaze.  He always encourages the best in us without forgetting to celebrate our accomplishments."

"I have improved so much since I began studying with him.  He cares so much about the individual growth of each one of his students, it is so very inspiring.  He makes me WANT to be prepared and focused." 

"Dr. Hougham has really made me a better, more confident performer.  He has taken what I came in with, and transformed it to the best of his ability.  He is direct and clear when he is teaching, but remains so very endearing throughout.  I am so glad to have such a talented, kind, and devoted teacher."

Among the operatic roles I have performed, my favorites are:  Il Conte (Le Nozze di Figaro), Demetrius (A Midsummer Night's Dream), Guglielmo (Così fan tutte), Papageno (Die Zauberflöte), Mercutio (Roméo et Juliette), and Schaunard (La Bohème).  I sang in the chorus at the Metropolitan Opera for eight seasons and I have appeared as a soloist in many notable venues, including Avery Fisher Hall, Merkin Hall, and Brooklyn Academy of Music.  I am an avid recitalist, as well, and look forward to presenting many upcoming recitals, both at Ithaca College and beyond.

My singing can be heard on two recordings, Rossini in Venice (Albany Records) and Soldier Stories (Mulatta Records), and I have been a featured soloist on National Public Radio.

My goal for my performance career has always been to make great music with great musicians, and I have had the great fortune of working with some of the greatest conductors in opera, including James Levine, Valerey Gerghiev, Paul Goodwin, Jane Glover, and Richard Auldon Clarke.  

My love of performing is equaled only by my love for teaching singing, and I have presented master classes in the United States, Canada and Europe.  Most recently, I taught as a guest artist at the University of Calgary and at Mount Royal College in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  Each summer, I travel to Spoleto, Italy, where I teach voice at the Spoleto Vocal Arts Symposium, an international institute for vocal studies and opera performance. At http://www.bradhougham.com You will find my biography, résumé, recent and upcoming performance dates, information on recordings I have made and reviews about my teaching from students.  

I look forward to meeting all prospective students at Ithaca College School of Music auditions this spring!  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time.