Teaching

Philosophy | Student Accomplishments | Reviews

Teaching Philosophy

My teaching is student-centered and emphasizes the process of education as together we pursue its product. This approach is functional, style agnostic, and individualized. It is rooted in both traditional and science-informed techniques.

Functional: Vocal beauty is not our first goal. Beautiful sounds can be made in a manner that is not sustainable. My students and I work to build the strength, agility, and health of the instrument so that beauty, artistry, and career longevity are possible.

Style-agnostic: There is no one correct musical style for every student. My most important job is to help the student meet their chosen vocal demands in an authentic and healthy manner.

Individualized: One size does not fit all. Every voice is unique, and every singer has unique vocal needs. What is right for my instrument might not be correct for someone else. I honor my students’ diversity and am grateful for their trust in our work.

Science-informed: To optimally train the vocal instrument, we need to know how it works. Accordingly, I am a voice scientist and teach graduate voice anatomy and physiology. Students use state-of-the-art virtual and augmented reality tools, online classroom lectures, and dissections in the cadaver lab to learn about the remarkable structures used in singing. Knowing how the body’s structures interact to produce voice is life changing.

We do not train voice; we train people. In addition to my focus on anatomy and physiology, my pedagogy considers very carefully the mind. Two of my recent publications (Motor Learning and Teaching Singing and Practical Science in the Studio: “No-Tech” Strategies) use tools from the cognitive and behavioral sciences to encourage behavior change in singing instruction and support efficient learning.

In summary, together we build the function of the instrument so that vocal freedom, health, and artistry are possible.

Selected Student Accomplishments

Mark Craig, DMA (performance) student (2020-2023)
Director of Education & Outreach, Opera on the James
General Director, Taos Opera Institute
Instructor of Voice, University of Lynchburg

Carolyn Sebron, Dissertation student (2023)
Opera Ebony, Native Voices
Former Assistant Professor of Voice at Southern University, and A&M College

Shaofeng Zheng, DMA (performance) student (2019-2023)
Don Alfonso, Così fan tutte, Berlin Opera Academy

Kevin Rose, MM Voice Pedagogy (2022)
Performed with Patti LaBelle, Michelle Williams, Dionne Warwick, Leslie Jordan, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Norm Lewis, Laura Osnes, Rayshun Lamarr, Morgan James, and Nova Payton.
Soloist with the National Philharmonic Orchestra (Strathmore), West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and on PBS with The American Pops Orchestra (One Voice, Wicked In Concert, Ella’s Swinging Christmas, We Are Family.)

Kristin Sullivan, BM student (2018-2022)
Scholarship, American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria
Adele (cover), Die Fledermaus, Peabody Opera Theatre
Gretel, Hansel and Gretel, Annapolis Opera
A Grace, Venus and Adonis, Peabody Opera Theatre

Hannah Timms, DMA (performance) student (2019-2022)
Assistant Professor of Music, Erskine College
Shenandoah Conservatory Dean’s Award for Scholarship

Kathleen Bell, Dissertation student (2021)
Lead Tutor of Research and Singing at Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, UAE

Katherine DeFiglio, Dissertation student (2019)
Music Director and Lead Instructor for Voice, Keystone State Music Theater Academy
Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at Ball State University

Michael Recchia, BFA Musical Theatre (2015-2019)
Youtuber: “Marvel Contest of Champions“ (331k subscribers, 56,400,000+ views) “Karatemike415” (50,000 Subscribers, 23,500,000+ views)

Martina Bingham, Dissertation student (2018)
Lecturer in Voice at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Patricia Campbell, Dissertation student (2017)
Professor of Voice at Liberty University

Leon Neto, Dissertation student (2016)
Associate Professor of Voice at Liberty University
Multiple Journal of Singing and Journal of Voice publications

Chris Castanho, BFA Musical Theatre (2013-2017)
Barrington Stage Company & Midland Center for the Arts
Resident Creative & Teaching Artist, Mill Mountain Theatre
Otto, Spring Awakening, Mill Mountain Theatre

Bennett Umhau, MM Voice Pedagogy (2013-2015)
Lecturer in Music at Washington College
Judd, Oklahoma, Live Arts Maryland
Mordred, Camelot, Live Arts Maryland
Devilshoof, The Merry Zingara, Victorian Lyric Opera

Drew Becker, BFA Musical Theatre student (2014-2015)
Michael Dorsey (title role), Tootsie! National tour (premiere)

Kevin Michael Jones, MM CCM Pedagogy (2013-2015)
Adjunct Voice Faculty, Millikin University
Adjunct Voice Faculty, Eastern Illinois University
MusicalTheatreResources.com, founder
radiosongsforsingers.com, founder

Rachael Haber, BFA Musical Theatre (2011-2014)
Swing and Grizabella cover, CATS National tour 2022
Viking and Celebrity cruise lines, MT cruise singer (2017 – 2020)
Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins, Prather Entertainment Group
Wendy Jo, Footloose, Prather Entertainment Group
Sister Mary Robert, Sister Act, Prather Entertainment Group

Lara Treacy, BFA Musical Theatre student (2011-2014)
Wednesday Addams, The Addams Family, Cumberland County Playhouse
Hero, Much Ado About Nothing, Alabama Shakespeare Festival
Petra, A Little Night Music, The Princeton Festival
Margot Frank, The Diary of Anne Frank, Greenbrier Valley Theatre

Troy Castle, Dissertation student (2014)
Professor of Voice, Millikin University, Coordinator of Vocal Studies
Shenandoah Conservatory Dean’s Award for Scholarship

Barbara Demaio, Dissertation student (2013)
Professor of Voice, University of Central Oklahoma
Executive Director of Painted Sky Opera

Kipyn Martin, MM Comp. voice student (2011-2012)
Mid-Atlantic Song Contest, Gold Award (2013, 2014, 2017)
Washington Area Music Association, WAMMIE Award for New Artist 2015

Sarah Maines, Dissertation student (2012)
Adjunct Voice Faculty, University of Portland

Deborah Blakesley, BM student (2008-2011)
American Prize for Vocal Performance in Opera, National Winner
Emilia, Otello, Astoria Music Festival
Mrs. Grose, Turn of the Screw, Banff Opera Centre
Aunt Cecilia March, Little Women, Banff Opera Centre
La Principessa di Bouillon, Adriana Lecouvreur, Puget Sound Concert Opera

Reuben Walker, BM student (2007-2011)
Voice science papers published in Journal of Voice LINK and LINK
Georgina Joshi International Fellowship
WMEA Solo Ensemble Competition, 1st in State
Donner, Das Rheingold, Dramatic Voices, Berlin
Tancredi, Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda, Sanssouci, Potsdam
Guglielmo, Così fan tutte, Varna International
Onegin, Jewgeni Onegin, Ludwigstheater Aschaffenburg
Jedermann, Jedermann, Oper Oder-Spree
DM, Indiana University
MM, Indiana University

Jonah Spool, BM student (2008-2011)
Seattle Opera Guild Professional Development Grant, 1st Place
Seattle Opera Chorus, 2015-Present
Second Philostine, Samson and Delilah, Seattle Opera
Don Giovanni, Don Giovanni, American Singers Opera Project
Schaunard, La Boheme, Lyric Opera Northwest
MM, Longy School of Music

Jessica Lewis, BM student (2004-2006)
MM, Indiana University
MA, Western Washington University, Speech Language Pathology
Private Practice, Singing voice specialist

Kimberly Carballo, BM-minor voice student (1995-1999)
Indiana University, collaborative piano faculty, 2017-present
National Lyric Opera of Costa Rica, voice instructor and coach
Conservatorio Musical de Alajuela, voice instructor and coach
Universidad de Costa Rica, voice instructor and coach
Reimagining Opera for Kids, founder
Tunaweza Kimuziki, Co-founder
Amity Trio, Co-founder

Teaching Reviews

I still had doubts about my profession until I took a couple courses and realized this is what I love—teaching! I intend to come back next year to take at least one more course. The info I learned was priceless.

The CCM Institute is a must for singers whether they are primarily performers or teachers. There is something for everyone at every level.
Katherine Bolcar

This course takes a vocal coach on the most incredible journey of discovery. It will inspire you, spark your curiosity and ultimately make you a better teacher.

I would highly recommend Dr. Meyer’s course to anyone interested in furthering their knowledge about voice science. He made what can be a daunting area for many voice teachers really accessible, applicable and enjoyable!
Amber Mogg Cathey

The Voice Science Bootcamp class with Dr. Meyer was delightful! It was such fun exploring vocal anatomy, seeing how the vocal mechanism works, hearing Dr. Meyer’s insights, and connecting with other vocal pedagogy nerds. I also have a lot more resources for students who think deeply and want to understand what exactly is happening in their bodies. Seeing the actual body parts from cadavers was fascinating, and the respect Dr. Meyer shows for them was inspiring. He is so very committed to continuing to further the research and science of vocal pedagogy, and his deep love for his students and craft is quite evident. Watching his lectures and connecting with the other students in the class has been a wonderful experience!
Vandi Enzor

Today I had the incredible opportunity to take my students to Clarkson University for a voice-centric tour of the Clarkson University cadaver lab. Thank you, Dr. Meyer, for the opportunities you provided for me and my colleagues at Shenandoah to experience voice science through hands on learning in the cadaver lab at Shenandoah Conservatory. Because of the knowledge and opportunities you provided at SU, my Crane School of Music students have now had the opportunity to touch human vocal folds, hold a lung, and most importantly gain invaluable knowledge of their instrument.

I wish you could have seen their faces as they leaned over the table to get a closer look. I have benefited immensely from the time spent with you taking/leading tours in the SU Cadaver lab and look forward to more opportunities to continue pursuing voice science research.

Thank you for all you do to encourage singers to be singing scientists/artists. You have truly helped transform my pedagogical methods with evidence-based research.

I miss assisting you with specimen tours in the lab. I hope you’re doing well!
Dr. Katie Burnham

Dr. Meyer makes voice science cool while ensuring you are not overwhelmed with the intricacies
that science brings to vocal pedagogy.
Darnell