Harsanyi, Janice (née Morris)

views updated

Harsanyi, Janice (née Morris)

Harsanyi, Janice (née Morris), American soprano and teacher; b. Arlington, Mass., July 15, 1929. She studied at Westminster Choir Coll. in Princeton, N.J. (B.Mus., 1951) and at the Philadelphia Academy of Vocal Arts (1952–54). In 1954 she launched her career, concentrating on appearances as a soloist with orchs. and as a recitalist. She also sang in opera, becoming especially well known for her championship of contemporary music. She taught voice (1951–63) and was chairman of the voice dept. (1963–65) at Westminster Choir Coll.; also lectured on music at the Princeton Theological Seminary (1956–63). After serving as artistin-residence at the Interlochen (Mich.) Arts Academy (1967–70), she taught voice at the N.C. School of the Arts in Winston-Salem (1971–78) and at Salem Coll. (1973–76). She was prof, of voice at Fla. State Univ. in Tallahassee from 1979. In 1952 she married Nicholas Harsanyi.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire