Biography
Equally at home in both opera and musical theatre, Marian has performed with performers such as Jason Robert Brown, MeganMullaly, Frederica von Stade, Dawn Upshaw, and Arleen Augee.
She has sung with Los Angeles Opera, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles Chamber Singers and the Oregon Bach Festival and sung under the direction of Esa-Pekka Salonen, Zubin Mehta, André Previn, and Carlo Maria Giulini.
Performance experiences have ranged from studio musician to the
legitimate stage. Theatre credits include leading roles in The
Fantasticks, Carousel, How to Succeed in Business…, West Side Story, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado. Marian has directed shows such as Nunsense and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown as well as dozens of cabarets and revues.
Ms. Bodnar has studied and coached with some of the finest artists and teachers. They include Elly Ameling, Phyllis Curtin, Brent McMunn, Henry Venanzi, Karen Morrow, John Hall, David Craig, Charles Nelson Reilly, and Seth Riggs. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in vocal performance and opera and has done graduate level work in acting and directing.
Currently on the faculties of the Bob Cole
Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach and at Fullerton Community College, Ms. Bodnar has also taught
at El Camino College, Citrus College, the Stella Adler Acting Academy in Hollywood, the Orance County High School of the Arts, and the Idyllwild School of Music
and the Arts.
Students accomplishments include leading roles on Broadway and professional theaters nationally; in opera, concert, bands, in films and for the Grammy Awards. Her students have included Antonio Banderas (Tony nominated for his role in Nine), Melanie Griffith (starring in Chicago), Penelope Cruz (CD for the Sabera Foundation), and many other actors and singers.
