Alena Carhart is an adjunct instructor in applied voice and musical theatre at Milligan University. She is a multifaceted soprano and educator with a passion for both performance and teaching. Raised in Severna Park, Maryland, she began her journey in the performing arts with dance and theater, but her true love for the stage emerged when she discovered singing, trading ballet shoes for a microphone.

Carhart performed in a wide range of shows, from musicals to rock concerts to choral performances, which sparked her love for singing in all styles of music and motivated her to become a dedicated educator. As a voice instructor, she has taught lessons in musical theatre, classical, opera, pop, and rock for many years. She emphasizes cross training her students to ensure they are versatile and well-prepared for auditions. Throughout her lessons, she integrates positive psychology techniques to create a warm and welcoming environment for her students. Alumni of her studio have gone on to perform in programs such as Musiktheater Bavaria in Germany, the Fordham Musical Theater Institute in New York, and numerous community theaters across the greater Philadelphia area.

On stage, Carhart has performed with the University of Delaware Lyric Theatre in a variety of roles and has also contributed to productions as a member of the production team. Notable roles include her international debut as “Aphrodite” in Penelope and the Geese by Milica Paranosic and Cheri Magid in Athens, Greece. Other key performances include “Doralee” in 9 to 5: The Musical, “La Fée” in Viardot’s Cendrillon, “Natalie” in Next to Normal, and “Jo March” in Little Women. Carhart was also a finalist in the 2022 National Opera Association’s Musical Theatre Scenes Competition with her portrayal of “Scientologist” in Groundhog Day. An alumna of the Musiktheater Bavaria program, she received comprehensive training in musical theatre singing, dance, and acting. Carhart also served as the Assistant Director for the University of Delaware Lyric Scenes Program, where she staged scenes from contemporary musicals and operettas.

Education:
BM, Vocal Performance, University of Delaware
MM, Vocal Performance, University of Delaware