College of Music welcomes vocal coach + musical director Jordan Ortman
The CU 91Ҹ College of Music is pleased to welcome Jordan Ortman—Associate Teaching Professor of Vocal Coaching and Musical Director in Music Theatre—effective this fall.
Ortman is a former faculty member at Metropolitan State University where he coached and music directed the opera and musical theatre programs, co-led the BFA-MT performance program and taught theory and piano classes. During his tenure at MSU Denver, he coached staged operas and opera scenes programs, and served as music director and conductor for musicals. He continues to teach applied piano at the Colorado School of Mines.
In addition to teaching, he enjoys working with many Denver arts organizations including the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (Broadway Tours, Theatre Company and Theatre for Young Audiences), Opera Colorado, the Arvada Center and 91Ҹ Opera Company. He is the former Opera Colorado Young Artist pianist and coach (“Cenerentola,” “L’elisir d’amore,” “La bohème,” “Falstaff”). Recent credits include “Once Upon a Mattress,” “Cinderella,” “Beauty and the Beast” (Arvada Center), “Manon,” “Cavalleria Rusticana,” “Signor Deluso” (91Ҹ Opera), “The Pirates of Penzance,” “A Grand Night for Singing,” “1776” (Performance Now), “Wicked,” “White Christmas” (DCPA Broadway tours), “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus,” “Goodnight, Moon” and Elephant and Piggie’s “We Are in a Play” (DCPA Theatre for Young Audiences). For many summers, he has been a music director and pianist at Quisisana Music Resort in Center Lovell, Maine.
Ortman believes that versatility is an asset in the performing arts industry. As such, his interests and opportunities range from chamber music and duo piano recitals to opera and musical theatre music direction—as well as arranging and composing.
“The lines that once divided various genres and pathways within music have blurred and I believe that future careers in music belong to curious, collaborative and determined students,” he says. “Interest and expertise in many facets of music making should be encouraged and the entrepreneurial spirit celebrated.
“I look forward to guiding the talented students at CU 91Ҹ and preparing them to be comprehensive, universal musicians—and, indeed, well-balanced people.”
Ortman earned a Master of Music in collaborative piano from the University of Northern Colorado where he studied with Willem van Schalkwyk and Vergie Amendola; and a Bachelor of Arts in music performance (piano) from Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas.
Welcome, Jordan Ortman!