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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Elem Eley is an American baritone and voice pedagogue.[1] He served as Professor of Voice at Westminster Choir College of Rider University,[1] where he was promoted to full professor in 1998 and later granted emeritus status.[2][3]

Early life and education

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Eley, born in LaGrange, Georgia, was raised in Georgia and Texas in a family of Southern Baptists; to this day, he is active in the Presbyterian Church. He completed formal academic training in vocal performance and related studies across several institutions. He earned a Bachelor of Music (cum laude) in voice performance from Baylor University in 1975[4] studying voice with Carol Mayo and Daniel Pratt. [3] He then obtained a Master of Music in voice from the School of Church Music at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1977, where he studied voice with Jack Coldiron and James McKinney.[5] He pursued doctoral coursework toward a D.Mus. in voice performance and literature at Indiana University, [1] studying voice with Margaret Harshaw and vocal literature with Paul Matthen and Robert Evans.[6]

Career

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Early teaching appointments

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Eley began teaching voice in 1973 and has maintained a private voice studio since that time. He served as Instructor of Music at Brewton-Parker College.[7] He later held the position of Associate Instructor at Indiana University, teaching private voice to principal and elective students. While studying at Indiana, he took a one-semester leave (spring 1984) to take over the studio of a recently deceased colleague at Baylor University.

Academic and administrative roles

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From 1983 to 1984, Eley was Assistant Professor of Voice and Director of Music Theater Workshop at Howard Payne University, teaching private voice, class voice, and opera workshop.[8] He then served at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary as Assistant Professor of Voice and Director of Opera.[9]

From 1987 onward, Eley joined Westminster Choir College as Associate Professor of Voice[10], later promoted to full Professor in 1998. His responsibilities included private instruction, supervision of student recitals, adjudication of examinations and competitions, and teaching courses such as Song Literature and language-focused singing courses.[2]

Program leadership

Eley founded and directed the summer study program Vienna: Language of Lieder, which operated from 2012 to 2019, focusing on vocal performance and language study in an immersive setting.[1]

Discography

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Eley appears on multiple recordings spanning art song, opera, choral, and contemporary repertoire, including:[11]

  • Christmas Day (Affetto Records, 2019) [12]
  • Forever Sing (Affetto Records, 2017) [12]
  • Lenoriana (Affetto Recordings, 2015) [12]
  • Der Geist spricht / The Spirit Speaks (Centaur Records, 2013)[1]
  • Shining Brow (Naxos Records, 2009)[13]
  • Drifts and Shadows: American Song for the New Millennium (Albany Records, 2008)[14]
  • On Course (Albany Records, 2008)
  • I Have Had Singing: Choral Music by Steven Sametz (Arsis Audio, 2008)
  • What a Piece of Work is Man (Albany Records, 2005)
  • Anthology of Art Songs: Music by Stefan Young (2000; reissued 2010)
  • Dixit Dominus (MusicMasters Classics, 1991)

Videography

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  • The Bald Soprano (1997), Center for Contemporary Opera / Ron Myrvik Productions (role: Mr. Martin), winner of a Telly Award [15]
  • With Song and Good Cheer: A Victorian Christmas (1992), New Jersey Network; broadcast on NJN, WNET, and national syndication

Awards and recognition

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Eley has received recognition in vocal performance competitions and professional organizations, including:

  • Joy in Singing Award (1996), first-place winner [16][17][18]
  • Anna Hamlin Award for Artistry in Singing (1995)[19]
  • Singer of the Year, Texoma Region, National Association of Teachers of Singing (1983)
  • Young Artist Winner, Indianapolis Matinee Musicale (1982)
  • Regional Finalist, San Francisco Opera Auditions (1982)
  • Maude Brush Stewart Award (1982)
  • Listed in International Who’s Who in Music (1987)

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Elem Eley". Rider University. 2020-06-25. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
  2. 1 2 "Elem Eley : Bass" (PDF). Musicalamateurs.org. Retrieved 2026-08-05.
  3. 1 2 Eley, Elem (2025-09-29). "Elem Eley". Kavbar's Blog. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
  4. ↑ "Class Notes from Winter 2009-10 | Baylor Magazine | Baylor University". Magazine.web.baylor.edu. 2009-11-30. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
  5. ↑ University, The University Library at Rider. "Research Guides: Special Collections: Westminster Choir College's Historical Archives". Guides.rider.edu. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
  6. ↑ "The Art Song Preservation Society of NY : Press kit 2013" (PDF). Artsongpreservationsocietyny.org. Retrieved 2026-08-05.
  7. ↑ "The Savannah Tribune., December 10, 1980, Image 6". Gahistoricnewpapers.galileo.usg.edu. Retrieved 2026-08-05.
  8. ↑ "David Means : CV" (PDF). Utrgv.edu. Retrieved 2026-08-05.
  9. ↑ Fruchter, Rena (1994-09-11). "MUSIC; A Musician for Whom There Are No Bounds". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
  10. ↑ "Westminster Choir College voice professor releases new CD". Rider University. 2020-07-23. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
  11. ↑ "Elem Eley". Discogs. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
  12. 1 2 3 "Discography". Affetto Records. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
  13. ↑ "Shining Brow". Amazon.com. Retrieved August 5, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Drifts and Shadows". Albany Records. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
  15. ↑ [dead link]
  16. ↑ "Spring Into Song 2014". Artsongpreservationsocietyny.org. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
  17. ↑ "PAST DEBUT WINNERS". Joyinsinging.org. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
  18. ↑ "Master Class: German Lied with Elem Eley" (PDF). Artsongpreservationsocietyny.org.
  19. ↑ "Winners | The Lyndon Woodside Oratorio Solo Competition". Solocomp.org. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
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