Biography
A graduate of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana, Benjamin Eley is an experienced stage performer and vocal instructor. On the IU Opera Theater stage, Ben was seen in productions of Carmen (Dancairo), La Bohème (Benoit), HMS Pinafore (Boatswain) and She Loves Me (Mr. Maraczek). He also was a soloist in the world premiere of Ned Rorem's opera Our Town. Mr. Eley has also appeared extensively as a concert soloist, notably in Faure’s Reqiuem and as baritone soloist in the world premiere of Juan Orrego-Salas’s cantata "La ciudad celeste." Before coming to Indiana University, Mr. Eley appeared as "Sharpless" in a school outreach production of "Madama Butterfly" with Boheme Opera Company.
Teaching Philosophy
In my teaching, I encourage each student to discover their own instrument, aided by proper technique. Technique is never to be used to artificially imitate another person's sound. Instead, with the freedom gained by a proper technique, students are able to enjoy creating music with their own unique voice.
My own vocal study has focused primarily on classical and operatic singing. Consequently, my teaching involves more classically oriented approaches to breathing and resonance – approaches which emphasize freedom and efficiency of vocal production. While my pedagogical orientation is classical, I have found this approach to be most helpful in a number of vocal styles, from jazz to folk music to musical theater. My goal is not to create an opera singer out of every one of my students, but instead to give them the best possible technical framework upon which to build their own artistry.
Vocal music is at once the most personal and universal of the arts. The singing voice is capable of immediately touching the listener in ways that few other art forms can rival. My hope for each student is that they can fully realize their vocal potential, fulfilling their own artistic desires and delighting the listeners around them.
