UML Music Alum Makes Star Turn in Oscar-Winning Film

03/20/2026
By Ed Brennen

A decade after finding his voice at UMass Lowell, music performance alum Matt Corcoran ’13 is now part of an Academy Award-winning film.

Corcoran appears as the closing tenor soloist in “The Singers,” which won Best Live Action Short Film at this year’s Oscars.

“It feels overwhelming … incredibly surreal,” says Corcoran, who is currently completing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Oklahoma. “Even just being nominated was huge. Then all of a sudden, we win.”

The Ipswich native landed the role in an unlikely way: filmmakers discovered him on TikTok (@tooloudtenor). 

During the pandemic, Corcoran began building his social media presence while living and working in Dallas. In the summer of 2024, while performing in a production of “The Flying Dutchman,” he received an email “out of the blue” from a production company inviting him to come to California to shoot a film.

“In the back of my mind, I was like, ‘I’m going to get murdered — there’s no way,’” he says with a laugh.  

The invitation turned out to be real. What followed was a two-day shoot at a Moose Lodge in Orange County for what he assumed would be a small independent project.

“The Singers” is loosely based on a short story by Russian novelist Ivan Turgenev. In the final moments of the 18-minute film, Corcoran delivers a powerful rendition of “Vesti la giubba” (“Put on the costume”) from Ruggero Leoncavallo’s “I Pagliacci.” His appearance serves as what he calls a “Russian punchline,” breaking the tension with an unexpected operatic performance.

“The entire film was improvised,” Corcoran says. “There was no script, just a general idea of where the story was going.”

Beyond its unconventional style, Corcoran says the film resonates for its portrayal of male friendship and emotional openness.

“It really captures the feeling of a night out with the guys and shows how important it is for men to be able to express their emotions,” he says.

The film, which had more than 5 million views in its first month on Netflix, gained momentum on the festival circuit before earning an Oscar nomination and ultimately winning Best Live Action Short Film in a rare tie. 

Corcoran traveled to Los Angeles for Oscars week, though he did not attend the ceremony itself. Instead, he watched from a private Netflix party.

“Just being in that room, meeting people like that, it felt like something that shouldn’t exist in my life,” he says.

The film’s spotlight on opera comes amid renewed cultural conversation around the art form. In the weeks leading up to the Academy Awards, actor Timothée Chalamet drew criticism for comments about opera and ballet.

“I’m a big believer that the arts always need to uphold the arts,” Corcoran says. “It’s not a good look for an artist to punch down at another art form.”

Originally a music education major at UML, Corcoran switched to performance after encouragement from faculty members Janice Giampa and Mark Cleveland, who recognized his potential. Corcoran immersed himself in the university’s music scene, performing as a soloist with the University Choir, Chamber Singers and Opera Workshop. He also helped launch Hawkapella, the campus a cappella group.

“It’s a legacy that I’ve left behind at UMass Lowell, and I’m very proud of that,” he says. 

In addition to his studies, Corcoran worked as a resident advisor and tour guide, becoming a familiar presence across the university.

“UMass Lowell just felt like home. It was a place where I really grew as a person,” says Corcoran, who has returned to campus to lead master classes for performance students and work with the Opera Workshop.

After graduating, Corcoran earned a master’s degree in voice and opera from Boston University and a performer’s diploma from Southern Methodist University. Along the way, he has performed with prestigious organizations including Tanglewood, the Santa Fe Opera and the Dallas Opera.

“Opera is incredibly athletic,” he says. “It takes stamina, breath control and a lot of training.”

As his résumé continues to grow, Corcoran credits UMass Lowell with giving him the foundation to succeed.

“Being able to get up in front of people and perform — that’s something I learned at UMass Lowell, and it translates to everything I do,” he says.

Now, fresh off his star turn in “The Singers,” Corcoran is exploring teaching opportunities and seeking professional representation to grow his career — both on stage and in film.

“It’s about building on the momentum. You take something like this and see where it can go,” says Corcoran, who appreciates just how unusual his journey has been.

“If I only ever do one movie in my life and it wins an Oscar,” he says, “that’s pretty good.”