Susan at New England Conservatory
Susan teaching in her studio
Students described Susan as:
a beautiful human being
cheerful
patient
undying encouragement
persistent
motivator
caring
passionate
humorous
good-spirited
full of good deeds
dedicated
incredibly supportive
a real star
full of energy
so talented
she gave both challenges and joy
powerful
professional
unflinchingly honest
straightforward
magnificent voice teacher & mentor
tower of strength
inspiring
amazing
vivacious
delightful presence
maternal
a true legend
a humble soul
The Teaching Years
Susan Fisher Clickner started her teaching career as an Assistant Professor of Music at Clark University creating the Voice Department from the Visual and Performing Arts Department, where she worked and performed from 1969 to 1983. In 1972 she joined the voice faculty of The New England Conservatory of Music later serving as Chair of the voice department throughout the 1990’s. She served on the Board of Directors of the Boston Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and she remained an active member of Pi Kappa Lambda, a music honorary society, throughout her life.
While at New England Conservatory, she also sat on various boards including a sexual harassment committee, a faculty steering committee and theory committee. Susan was featured in a PBS television special on classical singing, and is listed in International Who's Who in Music, as well as the American Who's Who in Women. Susan remained at NEC until her retirement, becoming one of the foremost voice teachers in the country, and usually had a lengthy waiting list of people trying to get into her studio. She also gave regular workshops and monthly masterclasses, and judged numerous vocal competitions. As chair of the Voice Department at New England Conservatory Susan was only the second female to ever hold that position in the school’s long history and was the first recipient of the New England Conservatory Outstanding Teacher Award in 1998.
Susan retired at 72 years old and still corresponded with her students up until her death. Many would call and send letters updating her on their lives and career highlights. They always gave high praise for the impact she had on their lives both personally and professionally.
A Letter to Her Students
Mom loved working with you and continuing to celebrate your successes, and share in your challenges and losses throughout your lives. Every recital, job opportunity or loss, relationship developed, death in your family, travel plan, academic post, children and grandchildren born...she was there with you every step of the way. She kept every piece of memorabilia or correspondence relating to your lives both professional and personal that you shared with her, boxes and boxes of headshots, programs, alumni notes, letters, family photos and christmas cards. Many times over the years she read me your letters, or showed me the photos of your family with a huge smile, truly happy for the lives you had built. She wasn't just your teacher or mentor, she was your personal cheerleader and archivist.
I spent the last 3 months of her life reading every correspondence from the last 20 years to her, so she could revisit those connections, and also see the tremendous impact she had on your lives. I wanted to remind her of her value and contribution professionally and personally as we prepared for her death. I want you all to know that I'm thankful you gave her so much love and gratitude, and made a tremendous impact on her life! Thank you for sharing your lives with her. She treasured each and every one of you!
Wendy Clickner Prescott
Her Legacy
With a large percentage of her former students going on to become professional singers, they have spent summers singing leading opera roles at festivals such as Central City, Britten-Piers, Banff, Bayreuth, Glimmerglass, Lake George, Academy of the West, Blossom, Santa Fe, Aspen, and Wolf Trap among many others. Her students have also been first place winners and finalists in competitions including McAllister, Washington International, Salzburg International, the International Contemporary Opera Competition, the Canadian International, the NATS Competition and the Metropolitan Opera Competition. They have appeared as fellows at Tanglewood, the Pacific Music Festival in Tokyo, and the Bach Festivals in Long Island and California, among many others. Many students have gone on to sing leading roles with opera companies such as New York City Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Chicago Lyric and the Metropolitan Opera as well as with several European opera companies. They have recorded numerous classical CDs and many occupy faculty positions at more than 30 colleges and universities.
Susan kept every single letter her students wrote to her and organized them.
In her last few months her daughter Wendy opened and read every letter to her so she could think of each student.
Excerpt from a letter from Daniel Steiner, Acting President of New England Conservatory upon Susan’s retirement from the Chair of the Voice Department.