Mira Frohnmayer, 2011 Distinguished Alumna
Mira Frohnmayer received her Bachelor of Arts in Music degree from the University of Oregon, studying voice with Exine Bailey and piano with George Hopkins. Upon graduation, she was given the Outstanding Woman in Music award. She was the president of Mu Phi Epsilon, vice-president of Kappa Alpha Theta, and was in the UO sophomore activity honorary, KWAMA. Frohnmayer later received a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from the New England Conservatory of Music, studying with renowned mezzo-soprano Gladys Miller. There she was secretary of the Scholastic Music Honorary, Pi Kappa Lambda.
After graduation from the conservatory, she was invited to be on the adjunct faculty of that institution, as well as serving as the voice professor at Pine Manor College in the Boston College Consortium. Frohnmayer has participated in four opera premieres in roles specifically written for her. She has directed and produced opera and music theater works in Boston and the Pacific Northwest. She also premiered works at the American Society of University Composers, the American Guild of Organists national conventions, and was a favorite interpreter of the music of many contemporary composers. Performances in the Northwest included the Oregon Bach Festival, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Britt Festival, Haydn Festival, Rogue Valley Symphony Orchestra and Chorale, the Lake Chelan Bach Festival, Tacoma Youth Symphony, Everett Symphony, and Seattle Chamber Orchestra. In the Seattle area she soloed often with orchestras and choral ensembles and gave many solo recitals.
In Europe she was a soloist with the Gaechinger and Frankfurter Kantorei, conducted by Helmuth Rilling. In Berlin, she studied at Schiller College toward a master’s degree in theater. She was a frequent soloist in oratorio performances during her tenure in Europe.
In 1980 Frohnmayer became chair of vocal studies at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington—a position she held until retirement in 2005. In 1999, she received the “Most Inspirational Award for Teaching” from PLU.
Professor Frohnmayer was a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. She served as hospitality chair for the national convention of that organization in Seattle, and as chair of the regional convention in Tacoma. Adjudication assignments included District and State Solo and Ensemble contests, WSMTA, NATS, OMENC, the Petri and POSSCA competitions, the Canadian Music Competition, and the Metropolitan Opera District Competitions.
Frohnmayer served for two years as the chair of the Advancement Council to the School of Music and Dance at the University of Oregon. She was elected a member of the Eugene Symphony Board in 2009. She came out of retirement to teach voice and diction for the academic year 2007–08 and in the spring semester of 2011 at Loyola University in New Orleans.
| DISTINGUISHED ALUM AWARDS Given annually and presented at commencement. The award is given in honor of continued service to the school, honor to the school, and service to the community. |
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| 2011 | Mira Frohnmayer Mary Seereiter, Dance |
| 2010 | Doree Jarboe Timothy Ryan, Dance |
| 2009 | Richard Benedum Ann Rodiger , MS Dance |
| 2008 | Larry Gookin Barbara Sellers-Young, Dance |
| 2007 | Ray Miller, Dance Edgardo Simone |
| 2006 | Terry Kuhn Dianne Markham, Dance |
| 2005 | Julie Anne McCornack Sadie Tiffany Mills, Dance |
| 2004 | Barry McNabb, Dance Richard M. Smith |
| 2003 | Allan Eugene Aitken |
| 2002 | Richard Fuller |
| 2001 | Charlotte Plummer Owen |
| 2000 | Janet Towner, Dance |
| 1999 | David Schrader |
| 1998 | Jon Appleton |
| 1997 | Lynn Sjolund |
| 1996 | Doug Orme |
| 1995 | Jerold Ottley |
| 1994 | Gene Slayter |
| 1993 | MarAbel Frohnmayer |
