Biography
Helena DeCoro has taught full time at Cypress College since 1986. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Music from California State University at Long Beach. She has also completed post-graduate study at USC in Voice, and Vocal and Piano Pedagogy where she was a student of William Vennard and Eva Gustavson.
Professor DeCoro has sung with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and San Diego Opera and over the years has captivated hundreds of students with her love of music, especially opera.
Professor DeCoro teaches Voice, Piano, and Music Appreciation and was the Founding Director of the Cypress College Honors Program. As a part of the Honors curriculum, she has developed a popular class on campus class called “Introduction to Opera.” This course is designed to explore the multi-media world of opera, and includes lectures/performances by guest artists and directors as well as field trips to the opera.
“Opera is a delight to the heart and mind, combining music, theater, art, dance and visual design. Opera appreciation is a lifelong musical experience, because no two performances are ever the same! The new opera student needs only guidance to understand the music, the drama, and the passion.”
Professor DeCoro was selected by students and staff in 2005 as the Cypress College “Outstanding Teacher of the Year.” She has been most recently awarded the 2007 National Institute for Staff Development “Excellence in Teaching Award”.