Overview
Voice
Dr. Samantha Balboa serves as instructor of voice at Wichita State University. She is an active performer across both classical and contemporary repertoire, with notable roles including the Mother in “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” Desirée Armfeldt in “A Little Night Music,” Dido in “Dido and Aeneas,” Marcellina in “Le nozze di Figaro,” Erste and Zweite Dame in “Die Zauberflöte,” and Ottavia in “L’incoronazione di Poppea.”
Dr. Balboa frequently collaborates with her husband, violist Dr. Ruben Balboa, in chamber music written for voice, viola and piano. Their engagements include performances with the Austin Chamber Music Center, Austin Camerata, Local Opera Local Artists, and both the American and International Viola Festivals.
Before joining Wichita State, Dr. Balboa served as assistant professor of music (voice) and stage director of the opera and musical theater ensemble at the University of Mary Hardin–Baylor from 2021 to 2025. Her directing credits there include “The Little Prince,” Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “A Grand Night for Singing,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” “Into the Woods,” and “A Year With Frog and Toad.” In 2025, she won first place in the American Prize for Musical Theatre Stage Direction.
Voice students under Dr. Balboa’s mentorship have been accepted to graduate programs at leading universities and have earned recognition in national and regional competitions, including first place in the Edward Baird Singer of the Year (Texoma Region NATS, 2024) and the Baritone Prize at the George Shirley Vocal Competition (2025).
Bachelor of Fine Arts in vocal performance - Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Master of Music in vocal performance - Oakland University
Doctor of Musical Arts in vocal performance - University of North Texas