Aaron Sheehan, a member of the Voice Department at Wellesley College, recently won a Grammy for Best Opera Recording during the 57th Grammy Awards. He also teaches at Towson University and the New England Conservatory, and is an American tenor who sings in repertoire from chamber music to the opera stage.
Sheehan is known especially for his Baroque interpretations. Sheehan previously appeared on Grammy- nominated operas “Thésée” and “Psyché of Lully.” This time around he accepted the Grammy, along with conductor Stephen Stubbs, for Boston Early Music Festival’s recording of operatic works by 17th-century composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier.
“Winning the Grammy Award for Best Opera was completely unexpected,” Sheehan said. “The category was full of well seasoned, former winners, so we definitely were the underdogs… I come away from this even more energized to continue to make music and art.”
Sheehan is part of Wellesley College’s music performance program, where students take credit or non-credit courses in a wide range of instruments, from voice to trombone to percussion. While same students are majoring in music, many also simply participate in the program recreationally, such as through performance or chamber groups.
“[Sheehan] is also an exemplary voice teacher whose students grow vocally and musically through working with him,” said Marion Dry, director of Wellesley’s music performance program. “He carries all of this excellence and expertise with humility and grace, making him superb colleague and wonderful teacher. We are thrilled he has received this well-deserved honor!”
According to Sheehan, teaching at Wellesley for 10 years has been just as enriching for his students as it is for him.
“I am lucky that I have had the support of wonderful colleagues and staff here at Wellesley for the past 10 years,” Sheehan said. “Teaching at Wellesley helps keep my own vocal technique in check, as well as the technique of my students. I always hope that I can impart the joy and happiness that music brings to me on to my students.”
Photo Courtesy of The Grammy Awards
