Claudia Benack

Teaching Professor of Voice

she/her

Claudia teaches private singing lessons to Music Theater majors and co-teaches the Musical Theatre Literature and Repertoire/Music Theatre History course.

Claudia Benack earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degrees in Voice Performance from Carnegie-Mellon University’s School of Music. Her comprehensive training provided a robust foundation in vocal pedagogy, performance, and artistic interpretation.

Since 1997, Claudia has been a full-time faculty member at Carnegie-Mellon University’s School of Drama, where she teaches private singing lessons and co-teaches the Musical Theatre Literature and Repertoire/Music Theatre History class. Previously, she has taught the Music Theatre Skills class (theory) and has music directed shows in all of the Purnell Center for the Arts’ performance venues.

In addition to her roles during the academic year, Claudia serves as the Acting/Musical Theatre option coordinator for the Drama School’s renowned six week summer PreCollege program where she has taught rising high school juniors and seniors for over twenty years. She has also shared her expertise with other educational programs, including the Southwestern Summer Theatre Institute (SSTI), College Audition Pros (CAP), and the Broadway Artists Intensive, among others.

Claudia’s extensive international singing career, which includes performances with major symphonies and opera companies, as well as her work as a recitalist, has deeply influenced her teaching approach. Her global performance experience enables her to offer students valuable insights into vocal technique, stage presence, and artistic expression.

She also maintains her own thriving private vocal studio.

Claudia’s favorite part of her long career is watching and enjoying former and present students appear on Broadway, off-Broadway, on national tours, and at regional theaters.