Leanne Scaggs, DMA

Assistant Professional Track of Music in Voice and Vocal Division Coordinator

American soprano Leanne Scaggs is increasingly gaining attention for her musicality, “brilliant comedic timing” and charm on-stage. Her repertoire is vast, but Mozart holds a special place in her heart with favorite roles including Despina (Cosi fan Tutte), Zerlina (Don Giovanni) and Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro.) Other favorite roles include Sophie (Werther), Norina (Don Pasquale) and Emmie (Albert Herring).

An active member of the North Texas Pan-American Vocology Association, Opera on Tap (North Texas Chapter) and the Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, Dr. Scaggs performs regularly in recitals and concerts throughout the North Texas region. Additionally, she has performed on operatic stages and concert venues across the United States, France, and Germany with various opera companies and young artist programs.

Dr. Scaggs was the 2020-21 recipient of the Chapter Service Award for her work as Editor/Historian for the Dallas Alumnae Chapter of SAI and was a past recipient of such awards as the Samuel Ramey Professional Development Grant and SAI Professional Development Grant.

Dr. Scaggs earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in vocal performance from the University of North Texas where she studied vocal pedagogy with Dr. Stephen Austin and voice with Dr. Jeffrey Snider. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Education and a Performing Artist Certificate in Vocal Performance from the University of Arkansas, as well as a Master of Music in Opera Performance from Wichita State University. Dr. Scaggs' research interests include the life and works of German composer and vocal pedagogue Nina d'Aubigny von Engelbrunner. Her modern performance edition of Ms. d'Aubigny's collection of songs, Deutsche, Italienische und Französische Gesänge mit Begleitung des Pianoforte was recently published by ClarNan Editions, a division of Classical Vocal Reprints. The catalog listing may be found at the link below:

https://www.classicalvocalrep.com/products/Deutsche-Italienische-und-Franzsische-Gesnge-by-Nina-dAubigny-von-Engelbrunner-416900.html

Educational Background

• DMA, Vocal Performance, University of North Texas, 2019
• M.M., Opera Performance, Wichita State University, 2011
• B.M., Music Education, University of Arkansas, 2008

Academic Positions

• Ad Interim Instructor of Music, Voice & Opera/Musical Theatre, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2023-Present
• Adjunct Instructor, Voice, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2015-2023
• Private Instructor, Voice, Community Music School, University of Arkansas, 2012-2015
• Graduate Teaching Assistant, Voice and Opera, Wichita State University, 2009-2011

Professional Organizations

• Pan-American Vocology Association – North Texas Chapter, August 2022 – Present
• Opera on Tap – North Texas Chapter Member, 2017 – Present
• National Association of Teachers of Singing, 2015 – Present
• Pi Kappa Lambda, National Music Honor Society, 2008 – Present
• Sigma Alpha Iota, 2005 – Present

Selected Performance and Professional Training

• TEXOMA NATS Regional Conference Artist Series Recitalist, 2023
• NATS Virtual National Conference, 2020
• Vocal Pedagogy Workshop, Stephen Austin: Clinician, University of North Texas, 2017
• Naked Voice Institute, W. Stephen Smith: Clinician, Northwestern, 2015
• Lyric Opera Studio Weimar, Germany, 2011 & 2013
• Opera in the Ozarks, Arkansas, 2006 & 2010
• Franco-American Vocal Academy, France 2009

Awards and Honors

• Chapter Service Award, Sigma Alpha Iota, Dallas Alumnae, 2021
• Academic Achievement Scholarship, University of North Texas, 2015
• First Place, Older Advanced Women, NATS Student Competition, 2014
• Malcomb Hayward Fellowship, John Harrison Opera Foundation, 2013
• Samuel Ramey Professional Development Grant, Wichita State University, 2011
• National Finalist & West Central Division Winner, MTNA Young Artist Vocal Comp, 2011
• Finalist in Concerto-Aria Competition, Wichita State University, 2010
• Federation of Music Clubs Scholarships: Opera in the Ozarks, Arkansas and Kansas, 2010
• Professional Development Grant, Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies, 2009
• Sword of Honor Recipient, Sigma Alpha Iota, Sigma Omicron, 2008
• Arkansas Region Winner, MTNA Young Artist Vocal Comp. 2007

Featured Courses

MUS 149 Restricted Applied Voice
MUS 151 Minor Applied Voice
MUS 152 Principal Applied Voice
MUS 352 Principal Applied Voice

MUS 352 Principal Applied Recital

Selected Community Involvement

• National Vocal Competition Adjudicator, May 2020, Classical Singer National Convention Vocal Competition (Online)
• Dallas Alumnae Chapter Editor/Historian, Aug. 2019 – Present, Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, Dallas, TX
• Hospitality Co-Chair, Fall 2017, Texoma N.A.T.S. Regional Conference, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Texas
• Fayetteville Alumnae Chapter Vice President of Ritual, Aug. 2008 – May 2009, Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, Fayetteville, AR
• Sigma Omicron Chapter President Aug. 2007 – May 2008, Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
• Founder & President Aug. 2005 – May 2007, Friends of Opera, Registered Student Organization, University of Arkansas