Sarah Beckham-Turner M.M., P.C.
Assistant Professor
Office: FAC 213
Email: sbeckham-turner@wtamu.edu
Phone: 806-651-2840
Professional Profile
Sarah Beckham-Turner joined the School of Music in 2018. She received a B.M. in Vocal Performance from Baylor University in 2005, a M.M. in vocal performance from Boston University, and in 2009 she received a Certificate in Opera Performance from the Opera Institute at Boston University.
Teaching and Related Service
Mrs. Beckham-Turner teaches applied voice and opera workshop. Opera Workshop teaches performance techniques, movement and acting; it puts on concerts and fully staged productions every year. Her favorite part of teaching voice is figuring out what works best for each student.
Research and Creative Activity
Soprano Sarah Beckham-Turner is enjoying an operatic career that takes her all over the world. She is best known for singing things that are not part of the standard repertoire. For her performances as Harper and Ethel in New York City Opera’s Angels in America, Beckham-Turner was praised by the press: “The only singer who scaled the requisite peak of greatness was Sarah Beckham-Turner, ideally and aggressively querulous as the drug-addled Harper Pitt, and, later, delicately savoring her cold dish of revenge as the ghost of Ethel Rosenberg. Ms. Beckham-Turner is both an artist and a star.” (James Jorden, The Observer) and “Best is Sarah Beckham-Turner, wry even in desperation as Harper, her voice cool yet vibrating with vulnerability.” (Zachary Wolfe, New York Times). Beckham-Turner is an active member of the musical group Opera Cowgirls, a band that is based in New York City which makes opera more accessible to those who would maybe never attend an opera. In December 2018, Opera Cowgirls performed the world premiere of Letters you will not get: Women’s Voices from the Great War in New York City. This song cycle, composed by Kirsten Volness, was written for four female voices, cello and violin, and it’s texts are all taken from actual letters sent by women during World War I. After receiving a great reception after its premiere, Opera Cowgirls performed its second performance at West Texas A&M in March 2019.
Personal Sketch
Beckham-Turner grew up in Amarillo, where her musical training began at First Baptist Church and Tascosa High School. After many years away, she is thrilled to be back in the Texas Panhandle with her husband Brent, son James, cats Tybalt and Kira, and the Great Dane Edith.