Christopher Charles Roselli, D.M.

Christopher Charles Roselli, D.M.

New York, NY - Christopher Roselli, a distinguished professor of music and theater who guided hundreds of students to their careers on Broadway, died on May 18th at his home in Manhattan. He was 55.

Christopher was born in North Wilkesboro, NC to David and Frances Roselle. After briefly considering a career in law, he decided to study music at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he earned his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees. Later, he completed a Doctor of Music from Indiana University where he studied under internationally acclaimed teacher, Margaret Harshaw.

His operatic experience included performing over forty roles with opera companies throughout the United States. His concert engagements included national and international tours in Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Italy, and Israel. He made appearances at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

In addition to his active performance schedule, Roselli, as he was known by many of his students, became a highly sought-after voice teacher and taught at the Lee Strasberg Institute of Theatre and Film in their NYU at Strasberg program, CAP21, where he served as the chair of voice and music, the New School's Actors Studio Drama School (later the New School for Drama) and Mannes School of Music. In 2007, he earned the New School's Distinguished University Teaching award.

Known for his sharp wit, keen musicianship, and love for the classroom, Chris is survived by his parents – Frances and David L. Roselle, Sr. of Mebane, NC, a sister and two brothers – Andrea Roselle Greenway and her husband, Marc of Mebane, NC, David L. Roselli, Jr. and his wife, Laura of Winston-Salem, NC and Shawn J. Roselle of Durham, NC. In additional, several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

Memorial services will be held at Mebane Presbyterian Church at 402 S. Fifth Street in Mebane, NC on Saturday, June 3 at 2:00pm and in New York at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute to be determined in the fall.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made by check to The Lee Strasberg Creative Center (a 501c3 non-profit which administers scholarships for The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute). On the memo line at the bottom of the check, please write Dr. Christopher Roselli Scholarship and send to The Lee Strasberg Creative Center, Attn: Victoria Krane, 115 East 15th St., New York, NY 10003.

Rich & Thompson Funeral Home and Crematory in Graham is in charge of arrangements.

 Service Information