Dror Baitel

Dror Baitel is an Assistant Professor of the Practice in Collaborative Piano and Music Director of Opera and Musical Theatre at the University of Notre Dame's Department of Music (College of Arts and Letters). He holds a DMA from The Juilliard School, with a dissertation on Sondheim's collaborative processes. His expertise spans classical music, Broadway, and opera, with notable roles in Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen. He conducts orchestras and teaches vocal coaching, diction, and collaborative piano.

Education:

• DMA, The Juilliard School (2022) - Collaborative Piano
• MM, The Juilliard School (2017)
• BM, Mannes College of Music (2008)

Research Interests: Focus on American musical theatre history, Sondheim's works, romantic operas (Verdi/Puccini), and the Golden Age of Musicals. His scholarly lectures include analyses of Sondheim's deconstruction of waltzes in musical composition.

Performance Highlights: Conductor for Memphis Symphony Orchestra, music director for Broadway productions, and vocal coach for opera workshops. Extensive Broadway experience includes Hamilton and The King and I.

Awards: C. V. Starr Fellowship, David Garvey Scholarship, and multiple competition prizes in piano and performance.

Teaching & Leadership: Teaches collaborative piano, vocal diction, and conducts opera productions. Advises voice students and leads interdisciplinary projects blending performance with academic research.