Penelope Shumate
Students' successes in my Vocal Studios have included advancing, placing, and winning awards in vocal competitions including the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition and NATS (National and Regional - Classical and Musical Theatre categories), being hired for professional performance engagements, being selected for international and national voice training programs, winning vocal scholarships, accepting awards at prestigious graduate programs, performing leading and supporting roles in academic Opera productions, appearing as soloists with university ensembles, and professional music employment.
I enjoy teaching students from beginning through advanced skill levels in both classical and CCM vocal genres. With all students, I concentrate on helping them to develop efficient posture and breathing, and a healthy resonant tone, free of excess or unnecessary tension. Teaching and studying voice is a wonderful and never-ending journey in the fulfilling pursuit of artistic excellence. There is no end to improvement when hard work is present. I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to work with an instrument as precious and unique as the human voice. In addition to my extensive Vocal Pedagogy training during both my DMA and Master of Music degrees, I also studied Alexander Technique and Estill Voice Training.
Voice Teacher
Opera Director
Voice Student Accomplishments
Opera Directing
Mentorship
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"Ah, perfido!" by Beethoven
with the APSU Symphony Orchestra
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Mahler Symphony No. 2
with the Gateway Chamber Orchestra
Cendrillon by Viardot
The Magic Flute by Mozart
I enjoy mentoring students in their vocal and career development. Through my performing and directing activities, I continue to gain knowledge and grow as an artist which helps me stay current in my field and guide students in their pursuit of artistic excellence.
Masterclasses Presented
University of Florida, James Madison University, Appalachian State University, Augusta University, Stetson University, Middle Tennessee State University, West Virginia University, University of Arizona, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, University of Kansas, James Madison University, Lee University, Liberty University, Texas Tech, University of Oklahoma, Drake University, Coastal Carolina University, Millikin University, and Western Illinois University
Presentations
"Kassandra," with composer Dr. Anthony Brandt (Rice University) - National Opera Association National Conference
"Kassandra" - College Music Society Southern Chapter Conference
"Diction Gems" - NATS and WIU Summer Music Institute
"Quality Music Preparation that Perserves the Voice" - NATS
“Skills for Success: Time Management and Believing” - WIU Graduate Research Conference
"How to Prepare Music for Performance" - WIU Summer Music Institute
“Audition Preparation in Three Parts: Securing Repertoire - Connecting the Dots - Performance Success”
WIU Student Chapter of American Choral Directors Association
At Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, I serve as Associate Professor of Voice and Director of Opera. Soloist performances include appearing with the Symphony Orchestra, the University Choir, in solo and faculty recitals, and in outreach and community concerts.
At Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois, I served as Associate Professor of Voice where I taught Applied Voice, English, Latin, Italian, German, and French Diction, Vocal Pedagogy, Vocal Literature, and Opera Theatre. Soloist performances included appearing with the Wind Ensemble, the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, University Singers, the Faculty Chamber Music Series and in solo and faculty recitals and outreach and community concerts. I was selected as the winner of the WIU Provost's Award for Excellence in Scholarly/Creative/
Performance/Professional Activities. For two years in a row, I was also the winner of the WIU College of Fine Arts and Communication Dean's Award of Excellence for Creative/Performing Activities.
During my DMA at Louisiana State University, I taught Applied Voice, Lyric Diction, and Class Voice. Additional positions include teaching voice at Drexel University and Temple University Music Preparatory Division and Comhar, Inc. in Philadelphia.
Louisianna State University - Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Vocal Performance and Vocal Pedagogy
Temple University - Master of Music (M.M.) Opera and Vocal Performance
Radford University - Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Vocal Performance and Radio and T.V. Broadcasting