Blier has coached such singers as Marilyn Horne, Luciano Pavarotti, and Joan Morris. He has accompanied Samuel Ramey, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Susan Graham, Cecilia Bartoli, and Frederica von Stade, among others. In 1988, he founded the New York Festival of Song with Michael Barrett, and frequently appears in performances of art song and popular song as part of the series.

He will be honored at the Classical Singer Convention in Philadelphia on May 20.

"We voice coaches often feel that we work in the trenches of the music business; how wonderful to be recognized in our specialized, easily overlooked profession," Blier said. "I'm very grateful indeed—but I must get back to the piano!"

The late mezzo-soprano Carla Wood created Classical Singer in 1988, initially calling it the New York Opera Newsletter. She later founded a national convention and a college expo for singers.