Bridging the Gap between Applied Voice Lessons and the Modern Choral Rehearsal

Choral music educators are given the difficult task of building healthy vocal technique in an ensemble setting with the desired result of a healthy vocal tone. This task is only compounded by the sheer number of individuals that educators work with in every rehearsal. Many choral directors first learn to sing in their collegiate applied voice lessons and are subsequently asked to transfer these skills to the choral rehearsal. This session will provide attendees with a variety of tools to bridge the gap between these two settings. With a focus on expanding knowledge of breath, phonation, resonation, and articulation, we hope each educator will have several new ideas to take back into their rehearsals to help each of their singers discover their own voice. If music education truly begins with us as educators, it must mean equipping our students with the knowledge of how to use their voice effectively. 

Evan T. Jones serves on the voice faculty at Florida State University and has performed with opera companies and symphony orchestras across the country and internationally. His diverse group of current and former students have won awards at competitions such as the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and have performed in major opera houses, on national equity tours and Broadway, as well as in television and film. In 2014 he received an Emerging Leader award from the National Association of Teachers of Singing as one of the nation’s most promising young teachers. He received his doctorate from the Eastman School of Music.    

Sarita Olson Gustely, originally from Mexico City, is pursuing a Ph.D. in Music Education/Choral Conducting at Florida State University. After earning her bachelor’ degree in Choral Music Education (University of Kentucky, 2018), she taught at Apex Friendship High School, co-directed Cary Youth Voices, and currently directs a church choir in Tallahassee. At FSU, she assists with Levana ensemble while studying conducting and voice. She has presented on vocal pedagogy and conductor-piano collaboration in Kentucky, North Carolina, and Florida, with research posters at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and Florida Music Educators Association conferences. As a clinician, she has conducted regional honor choirs in the US and international choirs in the UK, France, Japan, and Mexico.  

Steven Olson is pursuing a Ph.D. in Music Education/Choral Conducting from Florida State University. He has presented at multiple state and regional conferences and has extensive public school teaching experience in Georgia and North Carolina. A published arranger, his recent work is featured in the conduct(her) series by MusicSpoke. He has conducted choirs on international tours in France, Japan, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. His work has earned him the Excellence in Teaching Award from the Cary Chamber of Commerce and the Outstanding Emerging Choral Director award from NC-ACDA, and he is a finalist for the American Prize in Choral Conducting. 

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The views expressed are those of the presenter; they do not necessarily reflect the views of NAfME.