Barbara Gustern

New York, NY

Barbara Maier Gustern is a beloved vocal coach and a fixture of NYC’s downtown performance scene. Over the years her students have included Diamanda Galás, Debbie Harry, Justin Vivian Bond, and Rizo, among many others. She was vocal coach for the 2019 Broadway revival of Oklahoma! and made a guest appearance as “Mother” in Taylor Mac’s A 24-Decade History of Popular Music. This year, she organized a concert to mark her 85th birthday, which raised nearly $15,000 for charity. Barbara is known for her extraordinary gift for community-building and can be found at the theater supporting her many students and friends nearly every night of the week.

Photo Credit: Albie Mitchell