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The American bass-baritone and music pedagogue, Seth Keeton, studied at Morrow High School in Morrow, Georgia (Class of 1994). He obtained his Bachelor of Music degre in Vocal Performance from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois (1998); his Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana (2002); and his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis (2012). In 2006, he was a national finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and has received awards from the Sullivan Foundation (2005) and the Eleanor McCollum Competition (2001).
Seth Keeton’s performances have been described by The New York Times as “driven” and “emotionally pointed.” He has performed roles on the stages of The Minnesota Opera in Minneapolis (2003-2006), Glimmerglass Opera in Cooperstown, New York (2005-2006), Ft. Worth Opera (2007), Central City Opera in Colorado (2002), Arizona Opera in Tuscon and Phoenix, (2007), Indianapolis Opera (2006), Austin Lyric Opera and Opera Omaha, Chautauqua Opera, Mill City Summer Opera, and Theater Bremen in Bremen, Germany (2007-2008).
As an oratorio singer, Seth Keeton has appeared in concert as the bass soloist in W.A. Mozart's Requiem, Verdi's Requiem, Johannes Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem, Gabriel Fauré's Requiem, J.S. Bach’s Magnificat (BWV 243), St. Matthew Passion (BWV 244) and St. John Passion (BWV 245), Haydn’s Creation, and L.v. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, and Ralph Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on Christmas Carols. In addition, he was Bass section leader and soloist at House of Hope Presbyterian Church (Choir Master: Matthew Culloton; 2008-2014), member of VocalEssence Ensemble Singers (Director: Phillip Brunelle; 2012-2015); and member of Oratory Bach Ensemble (Director: Matthew J. Olson; 2012). He has frequently appeared with the Rochester Aria Group and the St. Catherine Choral Society.
In art song and in recital, Seth Keeton’s creative expression takes many forms, and he delights in creating unusual song recitals for himself and his students. He has presented musical experiences in interesting settings such as an outdoor recital celebrating and hosting animals, and an evening of British song in the University of Utah Museum of Fine Arts during a visiting exhibition of British landscape paintings. As a performer he presents tightly knit recitals, singing pieces in unique combination and often including rarely performed works. As a scholar Keeton is working to create an online song index that will make it easy to find related song repertoire. This index will become an essential reference, helping singers and pianists find forgotten song repertoire as well as discover new vocal works.
Seth Keeton served as Visiting Assistant Professor of Voice in the Music Department at St. Olaf College (2012); and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Voice in the Music Department at Gustavus Adolphus College (2013-2015). Since 2015, he is Assistant Professor of Voice at the University of Utah School of Music. He lives in Salt Lake City with his wife, Angie and son, Miles. |
