Daniel Kitzman, tenor, is an ardent champion of the creation of relevant and communicative art, bringing deep levels of truth, vulnerability, and magic to that which he creates. Most recently seen as the Chevalier in Purchase Opera’s Dialogues of the Carmelites, he has also appeared operatically as the Prince in Confession, the title role in Don Giovanni, Mayor Upfold in Albert Herring, Father Grenville in Dead Man Walking, the Priest in Die Zauberflöte, a soldier of the German Army in Silent Night with Michigan Opera Theatre, a founding member of Steve Rush’s work U.S. Grant: A Fluxkit Opera premiered at the Indianapolis Fringe Festival, and in concert at Teatro Bramante in Urbania, Castello Brancaleoni in Piobbico, and Teatro Sanzio in Urbino, Italy. His work in musical theater has included Marius in LES MISÉRABLES, Horton in SEUSSICAL, THE MUSICAL, the Beast in Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Jon in TICK, TICK…BOOM!, Archibald Craven in THE SECRET GARDEN, and many concert performances.
As a teacher and director, Dan has maintained a private studio for 11 years, teaching all levels of singers and actors. He has taught in many different capacities, including masterclasses, intensives, specialized classes, and classroom-format curriculum. Dan has taught and worked as an independent contractor with many different companies and schools throughout the state of Michigan, including Walled Lake Central HS, Novi HS, Garden City HS, Pioneer HS, Plymouth-Canton HS, Madonna University, the University of Michigan, Opera MODO of Detroit, and the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre.
His students have gone on to many different universities, colleges, and professional programs, including University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Western Michigan University, Carnegie Mellon, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Ball State University, Elon University, and many pre-professional training programs.
Dan earned his Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance with Teaching Certification and a minor in Design and Production with a Stage Management concentration from the University of Michigan, where he studied with George Shirley. He then received his Master’s degree in Voice & Opera Studies from Purchase College, where he studied with Jacque Trussel. After serving on the Voice & Opera Studies faculty at Purchase for several years as a voice teacher and assistant director of the mainstage operas, he is thrilled to be back in Michigan, teaching many wonderful singers and reconnecting with the thriving musical community alive and well in the state!