Alumnus and Metropolitan Opera National Council Grand Finals winner

Kyle van Schoonhoven returns as a Williams Visiting Professor

The Williams Visiting Professorship is supported through an endowment established with the Fredonia College Foundation. The residency is in two parts, a month during the fall semester and a return in the spring.

A highlight of Mr. van Schoonhoven’s fall semester visit was a guest artist recital, where he performed excerpts from Richard Wagner’s “Die Walküre” with soprano Sarah Cambidge.

SUNY Fredonia alumnus Kyle van Schoonhoven works with students in Rosch Recital Hall.

When asked to reflect on his experience working with students, van Schoonhoven noted,“ As a person, who was thrown head first into opera and the classical music world, back in 2006, it was surreal to retrace my steps at Fredonia, while helping the next generation find their footing in a field I love, and respect, so much.

“It was humbling to work with several professors who taught me, while reinforcing many of the concepts they introduced me to many years ago, to their current students. Kind of a 'Twilight Zone' moment there. I’m looking forward to working with more students in the coming semester, they are all pretty inspiring,” he said.

SUNY Fredonia alumnus Kyle van Schoonhoven inspires students during his residency at the School of Music, Mason Hall.