By Danilynn Welniak/ne news editor
TCC and area high school vocal students lined up for critiques and advice from a world-renowned opera singer and vocal coach Feb. 24.
Joan Wall began her career in 1964, performing with such groups as the New York Metropolitan Opera and the European Berlin Opera.
Since her beginnings, she has taught as a vocal professor for 10 years, directed opera, written 10 textbooks, completed multiple internationally sold voicework videos and tutored countless college vocal students.
On NE Campus, she taught the students in a master class setting to allow them to learn from one another.
“Singing is all about communicating to the audience about something and finding the essence of what a song is about to you,” she said.
She complimented the vocal program on NE Campus and chose to critique those students for multiple reasons.
“The students are very talented and responsive here,” she said. “They have a passion for singing and want to improve upon their talents.”
Nine students and one faculty member each chose a favorite work to sing in front of Wall and the class. Wall critiqued all performers individually to get them to sing to their best capacity.
She incorporated playful games, serious vocal training and adjustment suggestions into her teaching style.
In one instance, she played a game with a student to get her to put more emotion into the song she was singing. Wall would tell her an emotion during a musical piece, causing her to move her body and adapt her facial expressions to match.
Hall said it takes dedication to succeed as a vocalist, but that is not the only criteria.
“Attention must be paid to detail to improve your voice,” she said. “Vocal skills are an essential, and the emotion put into a performance will allow one to succeed.”
Wall has taught master classes in more than half of the major universities in the U.S. and remains busy with all of her endeavors.
“Although I do a lot, I enjoy reading and spending time with my friends when I get some free time,” she said.
Wall said students should walk away from this session with more energy and emotion in their singing. By paying attention to details, they should give a more meaningful performance, she said.
Lauren McDonald, a NE vocal student, said the class was beneficial.
“It is such an amazing honor to have Joan Wall here,” she said. “I am a better performer and vocalist because of today.”
