Margaret Dehning

Margaret Dehning (soprano) is Professor Emerita of Music in Vocal Studies.  Ms. Dehning made her debut at the age of 16, as the soprano soloist in Honeggar’s King David with the COTA Orchestra and Chorus in Los Angeles. At that time she was given a full scholarship to study with the distinguished soprano Alice Mock at the University of Southern California. Other teachers include Gwendolyn Koldofsky, Jan Popper, Esther Andreas and Martin Katz...  Since that time she has been the soprano soloist in every major oratorio from Bach to Vaughan Williams throughout the Western United States and Europe.   Her operatic roles include Musetta in La Boheme, Susannah in Le Nozze di Figaro, Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus, and the heroine in Poulenc's La Voix Humaine. She has been described by reviewers as “...a singer with remarkable clarity and control...and a refreshing spirit that is a joy to hear...”

A recipient of Chapman’s “Excellence in Teaching Achievement Award”, she is proud that her students gain entry into top graduate programs throughout the United States.   Ms. Dehning’s students are consistent winners in regional and national competitions, including the Regional Metropolitan Opera Auditions and leading apprentice programs such as Music Academy of the West and Santa Fe Opera.  Her former students are now singing in opera houses in Europe and the United States, or have become excellent teachers in high schools and colleges.

Prof. Dehning enjoys a reputation as a respected pedagogue and clinician.  She is past president of the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Association of Teacher's of Singing (NATS), and is currently Vice President for the National Foundation Board of NATS.