School of Music to Host Guest Artist Masterclass & Lecture Open to the Public

The East Texas A&M University School of Music is thrilled to announce an exclusive vocal masterclass and pedagogy lecture with renowned vocal pedagogue and tenor, Dr. Nicholas Perna.

The free event will take place Wednesday, April 2 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Jack and Lou Finney Concert Hall on the East Texas A&M Campus, offering a rare opportunity for singers, voice teachers and music enthusiasts alike to gain invaluable insights from one of the most respected voices in the field.

Tenor Nicholas Perna's voice has been hailed by the Houston Chronicle as “an impressive sound,” and the South Florida Sun Sentinel has praised his “emotionally driven performances.” Perna has appeared multiple times in recent seasons with Opera Mississippi and was a recent finalist for the American Prize for Men in Opera. Perna was twice selected as a Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Artist singer. Equally adept on Operatic and Musical Theater stages, roles to his credit include Don José in Carmen and Rodolfo in La Bohème, as well as Ravenal in Show Boat and Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden. Symphonic appearances include Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde and Beethoven’s Symphony no. 9.

Perna is an associate professor and director of vocal pedagogy at the University of Colorado Boulder. He is also the creator and co-host of the VocalFri Podcast, and holds graduate degrees from the University of Miami and the University of Houston. Perna is currently vice president for outreach for the National Association of Teachers of Singing (2022-2026).

The evening will begin with a dynamic vocal masterclass, during which Perna will work with pre-selected student singers to address vocal technique and performance interpretation. Following the masterclass, Perna will deliver a lecture on vocal pedagogy, exploring the challenges of navigating the middle voice. The lecture will provide actionable insights for both aspiring and seasoned vocal educators looking to deepen their understanding of the voice and enhance their teaching methods.

“We are honored to host Dr. Nicholas Perna for this exciting event,” said Dr. Matthew Schloneger, ETAMU Assistant Professor of Voice. “His expertise and passion for vocal artistry make him a truly inspiring educator. This event is an invaluable opportunity for anyone passionate about singing or vocal teaching to learn from one of the best in the field.”

The event is free and open to the general public.

For additional information, please contact Dr. Leanne Scaggs at [email protected].