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CORVALLIS - Robert Ashens, artistic director of the Eugene Opera, will give a voice master class sponsored by the Oregon State University Department of Music on Thursday, May 16. The class takes place from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in Benton Hall Room 303 on the OSU campus.

Selected students from the OSU Vocal Studies program will have an opportunity to sing for Ashens, who will critique and coach them on their performances. Admission is free and the public is invited to listen and observe.

Ashens recently finished his second season as Eugene Opera's artistic director, conducting all three productions this season. With a repertoire of nearly 100 operas, he has conducted for Connecticut Opera, Opera Idaho, Augusta Opera, Schubert Opera, Opera Maine, New Britain Opera, and many others. He has toured Europe as conductor, choral accompanist, organist and piano soloist, and has traveled nationally as associate conductor for the touring companies of "A Chorus Line" and "Jesus Christ Superstar."

Ashens has also been an accompanist for leading singers and instrumentalists, and has served as a lecturer, opera educator, and program director for concerts and recitals nationwide.

For more information, call 541-737-4061.