Skip Navigation Website Accessibility
150 Lake Dr, Ste 103
Wexford, PA 15090
725-934-PLAY (7529)
info@pycosom.com

Paula Signorino-Richter, Voice Teacher:

Hailed for her "beautiful, polished sound" as well as "musicality and sensitivity," mezzo-
soprano Paula Signorino-Richter, made her operatic debut at age twenty-three, singing Rosina in The Barber of Seville with Opera Theater of Pittsburgh. Subsequent operatic performances include the title role in Carmen, Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, Dorabella in Così Fan Tutte, Suzuki in Madama Butterfly, and the Mother in Amahl & The Night Visitors. Her Gilbert & Sullivan operetta credits include Katisha in The Mikado; Lady Blanche in Princess Ida; Lady Sophy in Utopia, Limited; and Lady Sangazure in The Sorcerer.

Paula debuted in Europe singing Lauretta in Il Maestro di Musica and Clorinda in Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda for the Spanish Chamber Opera Festival. After winning an Ezio Pinza Fellowship, she was showcased in a three-city concert tour of northern Italy, accompanied by La Scala's Enza Ferrari.

A Metropolitan Opera District and Regional Winner, Ms. Signorino-Richter has performed with Opera Theater of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Opera, Cincinnati Opera, and Ohio Light Opera. She has also appeared in concert with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble. Through the Gateway to Music program, Ms. Signorino-Richter has performed over 450 educational concerts, including a comedy designed for high school students entitled What's So Stuffy About Opera?, and a zany portrayal of The Three Wizards in Celius Dougherty's children's opera fantasy, Many Moons.

A native of Butler, Pennsylvania, Ms. Signorino-Richter graduated cum laude from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Robert and Lucile Evans. She has sung extensively at temples and churches throughout the Pittsburgh area. During her tenure as alto soloist at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Pittsburgh, she was often featured on their television ministry.

In addition to her sacred performances, Paula has been featured in concerts throughout the tri-state area, including The Minna Kaufmann-Rudd Distinguished Performers Series, The McGuiness First Chair Recital Series, and with the vocal ensemble, Viva Voce! She has worked under many prestigious conductors, including Maestro Keith Lockhart.

Paula makes her home in Pittsburgh with her husband, Martin Richter, and their daughter, Ariel. In addition to performing, she has taught private voice lessons to teenagers and adults for the past twenty-seven years. Her areas of teaching expertise include vocal and performance technique, along with musical and dramatic interpretation. She strives to help all of her students realize their highest potential and achieve their individualized goals.

Paula’s voice students have gone on to major in voice, musical theatre, and acting at major universities, including Duquesne University, Oberlin College & Conservatory, Berklee College of Music, and Point Park University. Many of her students have gone on to establish performing and teaching careers in the fields of classical music, musical theatre, and jazz. In the genre of Musical Theatre, she has taught two Gene Kelly Award Winners and one Mancini Winner.

Paula’s students have delighted her for many years, telling her their stories of how her teaching has helped them gain confidence in all areas of their lives. A few memorable examples include how Paula’s students have raised their sports’ competition scores, and won awards at marketing seminars for “Mock CEO Speeches,” all because of what they learned in voice lessons!

Contact Us

About PYCO School of Music

Please call or email us with any of your musical needs.

Please talk to your private music teacher for any questions regarding your private lessons. 


Questions regarding the Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra (including the PYCO Symphony Orchestra, Concert Winds, Concert Strings, Chamber Strings Orchestra, Junior Strings Orchestra, Junior Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Chamber Music Academy) should be directed to the ​PYCO Orchestra administration.