Dr. K’s Vocal Studio

I begin by having the student sing either a song they already know or vocalizing them to get familiar with their voice.  I ask them their past experiences with voice or performance and what are both their short term goals for taking voice as well as a long term goal for performing.

Doctorate of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance. North Dakota State University, 2008. GPA. 4.0. 

Emphasis: Vocal Performance. [Disquisition: The Singing Actor and the Acting Singer:  Inviting the Musical Theatre Approach and Student into the Classical Voice Studio.]

Master of Arts in Music - emphasis in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy. Minnesota State University Moorhead, 1999. GPA: 4.0. 

Emphasis: Vocal Performance. [Thesis: Selected Vocal Repertoire for the Purpose of Technical Development.]

Bachelor of Science in Education. University of Nebraska – Lincoln, 1992. GPA: 3.5.

Major: Vocal Music (K-12).
 
Academic Employment

Assistant Professor of Instruction of Voice/Musical Theatre, University of Texas Arlington. 

Courses taught:  Music Theatre History, Singing for the Actor I and II, Applied Musical Theatre Voice, Acting 1, MT Portfolio/Showcase.  Director/Music Director/Choreographer, The Broadway Mavericks.  Director, Company.  Music Director, Troupers, West Side Story, The Music Man, Ragtime.  2016-present.

Assistant Professor of Voice/Musical Theatre, North Dakota State University.  Courses taught:  Development of Musical Theatre, Acting the Song 1, Acting the Song 2, Musical Theatre Troupe, Applied Classical Voice, Applied Musical Theatre Voice, Vocal Pedagogy, Musical Theatre Class Voice.  Music Director, Little Shop of Horrors, Next to Normal, Sweeney Todd.  2013-present.

Professor of Practice, North Dakota State University.  Courses taught:  Development of Musical Theatre, Musical Theatre Troupe, Applied Classical Voice, Applied Musical Theatre Voice, Vocal Pedagogy, Musical Theatre Class Voice.  Music Director, 9 to 5: The Musical, Celebrate the Musical! Musical Revue, Reel to Real: Movie Musical Revue, Lippa’s The Wild Party, 2011-2013.

Lecturer, North Dakota State University.  Courses taught:  Development of Musical Theatre, Musical Theatre Troupe, Applied Classical Voice, Applied Musical Theatre Voice, Vocal Pedagogy, Musical Theatre Class Voice, Opera Workshop.  Music Director, Oklahoma!, The Secret Garden, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, West Side Story, Floyd Collins, Broadway: A Lyrical Legacy, Fascinating Rhythm: Jazz on Broadway, Inspiration Broadway, The New Broadway.  2007-2011.

Visiting Professor of Voice, Valley City State University.  Courses taught:  Diction for Singers I & II, Applied Voice, Vocal Pedagogy, Humanities (Music Methods for the Elementary Teacher), Class Voice, University Singers Vocal Ensemble.  2005-06, 1998-99.

Instructor of Voice, Concordia College.  Courses taught:  Applied Voice.  2005.

Instructor of Voice, Minnesota State University - Moorhead. Courses taught: Applied Voice, Music Theatre Voice, Class Voice, Elementary Music Methods. 1999-2004.

Instructor of Voice / Graduate Assistant, North Dakota State University.  Courses taught: Applied Voice for Music and Musical Theatre Majors, Class Voice, Opera Theatre Workshop.  2002-2005, 2007.

Guest Clinician, Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE.
Teaching stage performance and movement techniques for senior high vocal workshop. June, 2000. June, 2002. June, 2003.

Private Voice Instruction
Private Voice Instructor: Dallas, TX, Moorhead, MN, Fargo, ND, Mankato, MN and Lincoln, NE.  Teaching private voice to students of all ages and backgrounds in both the classical and musical theatre style. 1992 – present.

Lessons are $35 for a ½ hour lesson, $52.50 for a 45 minute lesson, and $70 for an hour lesson. Skype/FaceTime Lessons may be available.

I knew that I wanted to teach since the age of 5 - it has never been a "fallback" profession - always a priority for me.  I always loved to sing as a child in church and school choir and also played flute from 5th-12th grade playing in concert and marching band.  When I did my first musical, The Music Man, my sophomore year in high school, i knew that this was what I was destined to teach. I set out to learn everything I could about the pedagogy of singing, music, theatre, opera, movement/dance and everything that had to do with singing and acting on stage.

I have students who are performing professionally on Broadway and in Los Angeles right now as well as coaching Miss America pageant talent winners and semi-finalists in American Idol.  Many of my students also perform professionally in Minneapolis, Denver, and the DFW area.  I teach students as young as 8 and as old as 65 (and would happily teach older than that!)

I would definitely suggest clarifying for yourself what it VERY important for you to have in a lesson teacher as well as exactly what you want to learn.  For example, are you someone who needs a gentle, calm approach in order to do your best or someone who excites and energizes you to achieve?  Do you want to focus on the basics of singing such as breath, free tone, and singing in tune or do you need some audition cuts ready to go so you can get out there and perform?  Ask specific questions in order to find the right person for you!

1.  Do you teach students of all ages and abilities?

2.  Do you have a certain teaching style?

3.  Do you allow me to observe one of your lessons before I make a decision and is this free?

4.  What is your cancellation policy?