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 create 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.
Teaching
Classical Singer Convention
Final Vocal Competition Judging
with Nathan Gunn and Nicole Cabell
Classical Singer Convention
Musical Theatre and Classical
Masterclasses
Voice Student Gallery
Opera Production and Directing Gallery
Masterclass and Presentation Appearances
American Choral Directors Association, Augusta University, Appalachian State University, Classical Singer Convention, Coastal Carolina University, College Music Society, Drake University, James Madison University, Lee University, Liberty University, Middle Tennessee State University, Millikin University, NATS, National Opera Association, Stetson University, Texas Tech, University of Arizona, University of Florida, University of Kansas, University of Oklahoma, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Western Illinois University, and West Virginia University
Presentations
"Audition Preparation in Three Parts: Securing Repertoire - Connecting the Dots - Performance Success"
"Cassandra: A Heroine for Today’s World"
"Diction Gems"
"Effective Stage Direction"
"How to Prepare Music for Performance"
"Introduction to Vocal Pedagogy and Healthy Singing"
"Skills for Success: Time Management and Believing"
"Quality Music Preparation that Preserves the Voice"
Penelope Shumate
Studio
Private in-person and virtual
voice lessons.
Repertoire includes classical, musical theatre, jazz, sacred, popular music, and much more.
Beginners to advanced students of all ages and voice types are welcome.
Beginning Piano lessons
Inquire through my Contact Page for lesson rates and packages
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Academic positions held include serving as Associate Professor of Voice at Austin Peay State University and Western Illinois University. Western Illinois University awards include the Provost's Award for Excellence in Scholarly/Creative/
Performance/Professional Activities and the College of Fine Arts and Communication Dean's Award of Excellence for Creative/Performing Activities.
Additional voice teaching experience includes serving Louisiana State University, Drexel University, Temple University
Music Preparatory Division and Comhar, Inc.
University courses taught include Applied Voice, Lyric Diction, Vocal Pedagogy, Vocal Literature, Class Voice, and Opera Theatre.
EDUCATION
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