Maria Briggs

Maria Briggs is an Associate Professor of Voice in the Music Department at California State University, Fresno (Fresno State), part of the College of Arts and Humanities. She joined the university in August 2016 as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2020. Dr. Briggs maintains an active performance career alongside her academic work, serving as artistic director of the "Marianna Ensemble" and creator/director of the Fresno State Art Song Festival.

Dr. Briggs' educational background includes:

• Doctor of Musical Arts from Sydney Conservatorium of Music and Royal Northern College of Music, UK
• Masters in Music from Newcastle Conservatorium of Music
• Bachelor of Music from Sydney Conservatorium of Music

As a Russian-born Australian soprano, Dr. Briggs specializes in vocal pedagogy, opera training, and performance. Her research focuses on the training and development of young opera singers, with particular expertise in Russian and Australian vocal repertoire. She has published extensively on opera industry trends, vocal pedagogy, and the impact of contemporary issues like the #MeToo movement and the COVID-19 pandemic on the performing arts.

Dr. Briggs' scholarly work demonstrates a consistent focus on the evolving landscape of opera education and performance. Her recent publications address contemporary challenges facing opera singers, from pandemic adaptations to work-life balance issues for performers with families. She also maintains a strong interest in cultural aspects of vocal music, particularly Russian art song as evidenced by her 2022 album "Winter Evening."

Dr. Briggs has received numerous accolades throughout her career:

• Australian finalist of the Covent Garden Young Artist scholarship
• Lady Fairfax NY scholarship finalist
• Australian National Aria award finalist
• Winner of Australian MIETTA recital award in 2008
• 1st Prize in the Doug Davis competition, 2023

As an educator, Dr. Briggs has directed multiple opera productions at Fresno State including Strauss' "Die Fledermaus" and Humperdinck's "Hansel and Gretel." She has performed major works with the Fresno State Symphony Orchestra, including Richard Strauss's Four Last Songs and Tchaikowsky's Tatiana in Eugene Onegin. Her teaching encompasses Applied Voice, Lyric Diction, Vocal Workshop, Opera, Music Theory, and Ear Training.

Dr. Briggs serves as artistic director of the "Marianna Ensemble," a cross-disciplinary quartet that performs her original compositions, Jazz, and world music. The ensemble is featured on the Blue Pie Records label. She also founded and directs the Fresno State Art Song Festival, a cross-cultural event that includes performances, masterclasses, composition competitions, and student showcases.