Voice Faculty

Nancy Anderson is a 20-year veteran of Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional stages. She joined George Mason in 2026 as an Adjunct Applied Professor in Musical Theater Voice.

Lisa Berger is a professional singer in the Washington area who has been affiliated with George Mason University as an Adjunct Professor since 2003, on the voice faculty and in the classroom.

We are thrilled to announce that Soprano Jennifer Casey Cabot is the newly appointed Term Assistant Professor of Voice and Diction at George Mason University, effective August 2023. Jennifer Casey Cabot is a seasoned opera singer who throughout her exciting career has always nurtured an interest in teaching.

Tenor Richard Leech is the newly appointed Associate Professor of Voice and Opera at George Mason University, effective Fall 2023. American tenor Richard Leech is one of the most celebrated lyric tenors of his generation.

Born in Washington D.C., Ian McEuen has garnered praise for his “focused, warm and consistently clear tenor,” and “vivid characterizations,” in both operatic and theatrical productions.

Edrie Means Weekly, "rock star of vocal crossover” (The Cultural Feed), is an internationally recognized expert in training singers in all vocal styles and an active professional singer.

Patricia Miller is an Internationally acclaimed operatic and concert mezzo-soprano.  She is also a highly respected voice teacher and Music Educator. A University Professor, artist-teacher and master class clinician, her talent and commitment to opera education has taken her all over the world.

A native of Dallas, Texas, Dr. Caroline Nielson is currently based in Washington, D.C., where she performs as an alto vocalist in the United States Army Chorus “Pershing’s Own.”

Origin Records recording artist, Darden Purcell is a Washington DC based featured soloist with symphony orchestras, big bands and small ensembles and jazz educator. Ms. Purcell has shared the stage with top jazz artists including Maria Schneider, Christian McBride, Branford Marsalis, Terell Stafford, Joe Locke, Walt Weiskopf, Eric Alexander, Eddie Daniels, Alan Baylock, Byron Stripling, Bobby Floyd, The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, US Navy Band Commodores, Airmen of Note, US Army Blues, American Festival Pops Orchestra and National Symphony Orchestra, performing nationally and internationally, including Blues Alley, Club Bonafide (NYC), The Jazz Kitchen, Blue Wisp, Bop Stop, Chris’s Jazz Café, Blue Jazz+, Con Alma, JazzB (Sao Paulo, Brazil), Aalt Stadhaus (Luxembourg), Wolf Trap and The Kennedy Center (back-up vocals for Mr. George Benson, Caroline Shaw, Ben Folds, Sara Bareilles). Dr. Purcell is the Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice Instructor and Director of the Downbeat Award-winning, Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble at George Mason University.

Dr. Andrew Smith, bass-baritone, is a native Washingtonian. He graduated from George Mason University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance, studying with Professor Samuel L. E. Bonds.