Vocal Performance Center of Excellence
The Vocal Performance Program at Shattuck-St. Mary’s is a comprehensive, classical, and foundational music education centered around ensemble excellence and individual performance opportunities.
Students receive private instruction from highly regarded pedagogues and performers, as well as coachings from a wide variety of professionals. In addition, students participate in monthly Studio Classes and regular Master Classes with esteemed instructors such as Jean Del Santo, Wendy Zaro-Mullins, Emery Stephens, and Tammy Ensrud. Performance opportunities range from in-house recitals and Performing Arts Showcases to regional and national competitions and youth opera and theater performances. Students enrolled in the program have taken home awards in State, Regional and National NATS, the Classical Singer Vocal Competition, Regional MTNA Competition, and many more.
About the Program
College Matriculation List
The list below represents some of the schools our alumni have attended or currently attend:
- St. Olaf College
- Oberlin Conservatory
- Lawrence Conservatory
- Louisiana State University
- Curtis Institute of Music
- Ithaca College
- Eastman School of Music
- University of Chicago
- Luther College
- Concordia College - Moorhead (MN)
- University of Minnesota School of Music
- University of Michigan School of Music, Theater & Dance
Meet the Director
Peter Schleif is currently in his 27th year of teaching vocal music. He has directed school, church, and community choirs in Colorado, North Dakota and Minnesota. Choirs under his direction have performed all over the United States, as well as in Austria, Germany, Poland, The Czech Republic, Finland, and Sweden. Schleif received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, where he studied with René Clausen and has done graduate work at the University of Minnesota and St. Mary’s University. In addition to his role as Director of the Vocal Performance Program at Shattuck-St. Mary’s, he is also the Associate Conductor of I Cantanti, a community choir based in Northfield, Minnesota. He is a member of the American Choral Director’s Association, the International Federation of Choral Musicians, and the Minnesota Music Education Association. He lives in Northfield with his wife Lori, and two sons, Isaac and Ian.