The public is invited to observe a Vocal Masterclass forum from 3-5:30 p.m. (session one) and from 6:15-8:30 p.m. (session 2) on April 1 in the Dorothy Moses Morrison Chapel in the Fine Arts Building at Barton Community College.  The forum is open to the public. Anyone interested in learning more about vocal technique and performing is encouraged to attend one or both of the sessions.  

Barton students and area high school students will perform and then receive vocal training and advice in a forum setting from Wichita State University Voice Instructor Emily Sternfeld-Dunn, who will work with students throughout the forum while audience members will have the opportunity to observe the techniques and methods she uses.

Sternfeld-Dunn is a strong advocate for new music and unconventional performances of art song and opera. She regularly gives recitals across the country featuring works of contemporary American composers. Most recently she was the soprano soloist in Beethoven’s “Ninth symphony” with the Mid-Columbia Symphony and sang the role of Love Simpson in Carlisle Floyd’s “Cold Sassy Tree.” In 2013 she sang the role of the mother in Opera Kansas’ production of “Amahl and the Night Visitors.” Significant performances with the Hartford Opera Theater include: Laetitia in Menotti’s “The Old Maid” and the thief, Aunt Polly and Susy Harper in “Tom Sawyer.” She has performed with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, Connecticut Concert Opera, the Idaho Washington Symphony and the Palouse Choral Society. She was a finalist in the art song and oratorio categories of the American Prize in 2014.

Barton voice students participating are:  Kolton Landreth of Wichita, Paige Crocker of Olathe, Tasha Deiser of Salina, Sammy Guyton of Great Bend, and Daniel Melton of Hillsboro.

Area high school students participating are:  Aubrianna Oberle and Lydia Bailey of Central Plains High School, Ethan Wedel of Great Bend High School, Jadynce Schroeder of Holy Family Elementary School in Great Bend and Haley Troyer of St. Joseph School in Ellinwood.

For more information, please contact Barton Voice Instructor Glenna Gaunt at gauntg@bartonccc.edu or (620) 792-9289.  Admission is free.