Title: Associate Professor of Music
Office: Jenson-Noble 181
Phone: 1.563.387.2132
E-mail: raybet01@luther.edu
Degree: D.M.A., University of Texas at Austin
Interests: Voice, diction

Dr. Beth Ray Westlund, mezzo-soprano, is associate professor of music and associate department head at her alma mater Luther College, where she teaches studio voice and diction. Previous to this, she was assistant professor of voice at Ithaca College School of Music in Ithaca, New York. She earned the M.M. and D.M.A. degrees at the University of Texas at Austin, studying with Rose Taylor and Terry Lusk.

In 1999, she was one of twelve voice teachers selected nationwide to participate in the National Association of Teachers of Singing Intern Program. An article based on her doctoral treatise, “Dominick Argento’s Casa Guidi:  A Character and Musical Study” appeared in the January 2008 issue of Journal of Singing. Beth Ray currently serves as vice-president of the Iowa chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

Dr. Ray is active as a recitalist and an oratorio soloist, appearing recently in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Montana, Illinois, and New York.  Solo professional performances with orchestra include: the Angel in Sir Edward Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius, J. S. Bach Magnificat, St. John Passion, Christmas Oratorio, and Mass in B minor; Handel Messiah and Belshazzar; Haydn Missa Sanctae Caecilae, Missa in tempore belli and Heligmesse; Beethoven Symphony no. 9, Mozart Requiem and Vesperae Solennes; Duruflé Requiem, Vaughan Williams Mass in g minor; and Richard Einhorn’s Voices of Light, performed with Anonymous 4.

Opera performances include the title role in Dido and Aeneas, Dorabella in Così fan tutti, Zita in Gianni Schicchi, Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus, Mother Marie in Dialogues of the Carmelites, and Mrs. Grose in Turn of the Screw.