Acclaimed Soprano Teri Bickham D.M.A. ‘19 Returns to School of Music as Assistant Professor of Voice

Bickham hopes to use the lessons taught to her by her mentor, the late Carmen Balthrop, to shape her students’ futures.

By TJ Wagman ’20

When Teri Bickham (D.M.A. ‘19) was a doctoral student in the School of Music (SOM), she studied under the tutelage of legendary soprano Carmen Balthrop, who served as her mentor and helped shape her path as a musician. Bickham, a native Marylander, is now an acclaimed soprano performing with opera companies throughout the United States and showcasing a diverse repertoire of operatic roles that include a specialization in Mozart heroines, Italian opera, German operetta and contemporary American opera.  

This fall, Bickham’s next role is assistant professor of voice in SOM, where she will provide private voice lessons and support to the voice/opera division. 

“As a proud alumna of the University of Maryland, I am thrilled to be returning to a place that played such an important role in the teacher and performer I have become. It truly is a dream come true, and I am honored to join the faculty that meant so much to me,” said Bickham.

Teri comes to UMD from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, where she was an assistant professor of voice. Prior to this, she taught at Towson University for 13 years. Her students are recognized not only for their polished performances, but also their exemplary teaching. Bickham attributes elements of her teaching style to the late Balthrop and the lessons she taught her both inside and outside of the practice room.

“Carmen Balthrop was a brilliant mentor to me as she approached all we did with calm, humor and care. Her lessons are reflected in my own, and I often say to my students ‘my teacher, Carmen, taught me.’ I grew as an artist, performer, learner and human being thanks to Carmen's mentorship,” said Bickham.

Bickham completed her D.M.A. in 2019 with a dissertation that focused on the history of tailor-made repertoire: works that were written based on the timbres, agilities, ranges and personalities of singers, which served as inspiration for composers. Her passion for art song has led to diverse recital programming specializing in the repertoire by women for early-stage singers, works of underrepresented composers and poets, repertoire written for specific voices and the exploration of the performer’s role in the creation of music. This research led to the release of her 2021 album with Albany Records, “The Human Heart: Voices of Women.” Bickham also holds degrees from the University of Houston (M.M.) and Towson University (B.M.). 

Bickham’s goal as a teacher and artist is to build a community of musicians who trust in their own abilities, understand how their instruments work and take their passions into the world to make art accessible to all. 

“We are delighted to welcome Teri Bickham back to the University of Maryland,” said SOM Director Gregory Miller. “Her appointment is not only a welcome addition to our school, but also a testament to the dedication our alumni have for their craft and the pursuit of excellence. The mentorship she will provide to students is invaluable to their musical and personal growth.