Curt L. Allen; CSUN Music Professor

Curt L. Allen, opera singer and professor of music at Cal State Northridge, has died at a Northridge hospital. He was 57.

A North Hills resident for six years, Allen died Tuesday of pneumonia, said Joseph Givens, Allen’s longtime companion.

Born in Ponca City, Okla., Allen received his bachelor’s degree in music from Boston’s New England Conservatory of Music in 1957 and his master’s degree in music from the University of Oklahoma in 1967.

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Allen was active as a professional singer, appearing in opera and musical comedies extensively on the East Coast, including an off-Broadway production of “Leave It to Jane.” Allen also performed with the Tulsa City Opera and the Karlsrude Choral.

After studying in Europe, Allen settled in Southern California, where he founded and directed the Los Angeles Opera Workshop and the Los Angeles Lyric Ensemble, for which he served as narrator and accompanist. Allen also served as vocal adviser to the Los Angeles Musical Theatre Company.

In 1976, Allen joined the CSUN music department as a part-time voice teacher. In 1991, he established a scholarship fund in honor of his mother, Beulah Allen. The award recognizes outstanding voice students. Last year, Allen became a full professor.

Allen was described by music department chair Jerry Luedders in a statement as “a consummate teacher of voice” who regarded teaching and his students as “his greatest professional commitment.”

Allen is survived by no immediate relatives.

A memorial service is planned for 4 p.m. April 24 at Northridge United Methodist Church in Northridge. San Fernando Mortuary in San Fernando is handling the arrangements. Donations can be made in Allen’s name to the Beulah Allen Endowed Scholarship Fund, in care of the CSUN Music Department, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, Calif. 91330.