Dr. Deborah Popham, Assistant Professor of Music/Opera Director, is originally from Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Popham attended the University of Akron, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and with honors, earning a Bachelor of Music degree in voice performance, and two Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Philosophy. After finishing undergraduate studies, she remained at the University of Akron, studying Music Theory. She concluded her studies at Arizona State University, where she earned a Master of Music in Music Theater Performance (Opera) and her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Voice Performance.

A few of Dr. Popham’s performing credits include Madame Lidoine in Dialogues of the Carmelites, Vitellia in La Clemenza di Tito, Cathleen in Riders to the Sea, and Tatania Navigator in Royal Flush (an original improvisational opera). She has performed internationally as a soloist throughout Italy and Switzerland, including the soprano solo of Fauré’s Requiem.  An active recitalist as well, her diverse repertoire includes Richard Strauss’ Vier Letzte Lieder, John Harbison’s Mirabai Songs, Antonín Dvořák’s Písne milostné, and P.D.Q. Bach’s Perückenstück. Dr. Popham has also performed in productions of Tosca and Sweeney Todd with Arizona Opera.