Internationally known 'singer's singer' to conduct master class with CSUEB students
Marni Nixon comes to campus to conduct master class with music, musical theatre and acting students.
- September 3, 2010
Internationally renowned opera and musical theatre star Marni Nixon will be conducting a master class for Cal State East Bay music, musical theatre and acting students from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11 in the music recital hall (Music Building 1055) on the university's Hayard Campus, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd.
Nixon will give a general lecture for 20 minutes, then work for 15 minutes apiece with three musical theatre singers and three music department singers, while the audience observes.
Although Nixon’s name is not a household word, her voice is known to millions. She is best known for dubbing the singing voices of featured actresses in well known movie musicals, earning her the sobriquets "The Ghostess with the Mostess," "The Queen of Dubbers" and "The Voice of Hollywood."
Her reputation as "a singer's singer" rests on the series of movie musicals in the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s in which she served as "ghost singer," with her voice replacing non-singing stars in lead roles, including Deborah Kerr in "The King and I," Audrey Hepburn in "My Fair Lady" and Natalie Wood (and some of Rita Moreno) in "West Side Story." Millions of moviegoers who saw the films and the millions of record buyers who listened to the soundtrack albums of these popular film classics became familiar with her voice, without having any idea who they were hearing.
Nixon, now in her 80s, has more than six decades of professional experience as a singer, actress and teacher, beginning in Southern California as a child actress and soloist with the Roger Wagner Chorale, continuing with an extensive classical music education, and eventual participation as a performer in a variety of musical genre, from opera and art song recitals, to her extensive musical theater and commercial music work.
Although this will not be a public performance, a handful of seats are expected to be available for persons who wish to sit in. Reservations are being taken on a first-come basis at (510) 885-3118. The session has been organized by Darryl V. Jones, associate professor of theatre and dance; Buddy James, associate professor of music; and Tim Smith, music director and conductor, Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra.
The campus parking fee is $10 per day in lots that take dollars and quarters, or $2 per hour at limited parking meters near the Music Building.