SUMMER AEBKER
Summer Aebker is a highly accomplished soprano and voice educator. With a diverse range of musical experiences and a passion for sharing her talent, she has established herself as an active figure in the world of music.
​
Aebker holds a Doctor of Music (D.M.) degree in voice performance from the prestigious Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. During her time there, she studied under the guidance of renowned instructors Costanza Cuccaro-Penhorwood and Carol Vaness, while also serving as an associate instructor. Her dedication and talent earned her recognition as a highly requested associate instructor and the opportunity to work closely with esteemed artists.
​
​As a guest artist, Aebker has showcased her diverse abilities with the Indiana University New Music Ensemble, collaborating with Pulitzer Prize nominee Kate Soper. She has also performed in new music works composed by Cory K. Rubin and Ábel Esbenshade for soprano and chamber ensemble at the Midwest Composers Symposium at the University of Michigan.
Notably, Aebker has been a guest soloist with the Columbus Ohio Discovery Ensemble (CODE) and has performed in various productions with the Indiana University Opera Theater. She impressed critics with her portrayal of Mrs. Patrick DeRocher in Jake Heggie's Dead Man Walking and Sardula in Carlo Menotti's The Last Savage. Further credits include performances in the Los Angeles area with OperaWorks and as a guest soloist for various regional productions of oratorio works.
​
Her musical education extends beyond Indiana University, as she holds a Master of Music (M.M.) degree in voice performance from Bowling Green State University. Under the tutelage of Myra Merritt, she honed her skills and took on notable roles such as Iöle in Hercules and Phyllis in Iolanthe. As a guest artist for the Bowling Green Philharmonia and the Wolfe Center Gala Opening, she captivated audiences with her soaring high notes and amicable stage presence.
​
Aebker began her musical journey at the Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music, where she earned her Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degree in voice performance. Her early experiences shaped her into the accomplished artist she is today. A Lima, Ohio native, she was concurrently a student of Don Hurless, Kirsten Osbun-Manley, Robert Clemens, Norma Firszt, Marilyn Roth-Basinger, and Pat Meeks.
​
In addition to her numerous performances, Aebker has achieved considerable recognition in various competitions. She emerged as a first-place winner in the NATS Great Lakes Regional competition and secured second place in the Dr. Marjorie Conrad Art Song Competition. Her talent also led her to be a finalist in the Nicholas Loren Vocal Competition and the Bowling Green State University Concerto Competition and she claimed the third-place prize in the Indianapolis Matinee Musicale Collegiate Scholarship Competition.
​
Aside from her performances and competition achievements, Dr. Aebker has devoted herself to teaching and inspiring the next generation of musicians. She served as a lecturer of music at Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio, where she participated in faculty recitals and shared her knowledge with eager students. Aebker also served as associate professor at Bowling Green State University where her students successfully achieved roles and competition winnings. Many of her former students have gone on to excel in the music profession, reflecting her exceptional teaching abilities and dedication.
​
Passionate about choral music and interested in music liturgy, Aebker has worked closely with the church community and collaborated with high school choirs. She has also served as an adjudicator for the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) and judged various collegiate competitions, contributing to the growth and development of young aspiring musicians.
​
​Currently based in the Chicago area, Aebker continues to teach and inspire students in her private lesson studio. She remains an active performer, collaborating with fellow musicians and delighting audiences with her remarkable soprano voice.