Breakout Sessions + Meet the Clinicians

Laryngeal Self-Massage

Charles “Chip” Dugan  |  10am

During this workshop, Dr. Charles Dugan will guide singers through an anatomical review of neck anatomy, an overview of the theory and utility of massage, the specific effects of laryngeal massage, and a hands-on guided practice session. 

  • Dr. Charles "Chip" Dugan, tenor, is a Pennsylvania native. He is a clinical singing voice specialist and  voice and language development consultant at Mercer County Voice & Speech Partners, a voice professor at Grove City College, and the District Membership Director and Regional Auditions Coordinator overseeing Pennsylvania for the National Association of Teachers of Singing. 

    Equally an artist and scholar, Chip is passionate about instilling "the confidence to create" in musicians, artists, and writers. His research on professional voice issues has been presented at conferences and medical settings across the United States. Current research is focused on laryngeal self-massage for singers and nonverbal communication for singers.

    He earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Vocal Pedagogy and Performance at the University of Miami (2020), as well as a Masters in Vocal Performance from Florida State University (2007), and a Bachelors in Vocal Performance from Ohio Northern University (2005).

    Dr. Dugan has training in Alexander Technique, Estill Method, McClosky Technique, laryngeal massage, voice science, vocal acoustics, sensory-cognitive language development, and mental health first aid.

    Chip the author of two "chapbooks" and one full-length book of poetry. His lyrics have been set in song by award-winning composers Benjamin Montgomery (Florida Southern College) and Joseph Hasper (Grove City College).

A Systematic Approach to Warming Up Your Voice

Lauren Athey-Janka  |  11am

Understanding and enjoying the process of vocal warm-ups is essential for fruitful practice. Too often, singers head into a practice session without a plan or without a focus on what their body needs on a given day. The focus of this class is to empower young singers to understand and learn how to exercise each component of the voice, from body to breath to phonation.

  • Soprano Lauren Athey-Janka serves as Assistant Professor of Voice and Voice Pedagogy and Head of Voice at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey, where she teaches applied voice, vocal pedagogy, vocal literature, and diction courses. She has taught classical voice for over 20 years and has professional classical voice students in the USA, Canada, and throughout Europe.

    Ms. Athey-Janka has served on the voice faculties of Opera Viva! in Verona, Italy and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Vocal Program. She was recently invited to give masterclasses at the renowned Het Conservatorium van Amsterdam in The Netherlands and frequently gives masterclasses at universities and conservatories internationally. She has also served on the voice faculties of Westminster Choir College and West Chester University, teaching both undergraduate and graduate students.

     Ms. Athey-Janka's students have performed with and been accepted to the Metropolitan Opera, Opera Philadelphia, Royal Opera House, Opéra National de Lyon, Dutch National Opera, Staatsoper Hannover, Palm Beach Opera, Academy of Vocal Arts, New York City Opera, Glyndebourne Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Opera North, Wolf Trap Opera, Sarasota Opera, Opera Saratoga, Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera Iowa, Spoleto Festival, Opera Delaware, Atelier lyrique de l'Opéra Montréal, Muziekgebouw aan't IJ in the Netherlands, Theater Rochester Biel Solothurn, Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, Copenhagen Opera Festival, Nordrhein-Westphalia Opera Studio (NWR Opernstudio), Oper Dortmund, Oper Wuppertal, Aalto Musiktheater Essen, Musiktheater im Revier Gelsenkirche, Stadttheater Gießen, Opernfest Berlin, Wad Opera in The Netherlands, The Royal Opera Academy in Copenhagen, OPERA2DAY, Jonge Grote Zangers Young Artist Program, Ensemble Volte in Montréal, Nightingale Opera Theatre, Seagle Music Colony, Oberlin in Italy, Chicago Summer Opera, and the Institute for Young Dramatic Voices. Her students have placed and won in the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions, Lotte Lenya, Talent Gala of the Opéra de Montréal, Classical Singer, Schmidt, and NATS competitions.

    Ms. Athey-Janka co-authored a series of five anthologies for soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone and bass with Dr. Christopher Arneson. These anthologies were written in response to their critically acclaimed first literary collaboration "Literature for Teaching: A Guide for Teaching Solo Vocal Repertoire from a Developmental Perspective". 

    Ms. Athey-Janka has studied voice science, voice pedagogy, voice disorders, and speech with leading industry professionals. She received a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance from Boston University, Master of Music degrees in Voice Performance and Vocal Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College, and completed post graduate coursework at Temple University. Ms. Athey-Janka has continued her pedagogical education with The Voice Foundation Annual Symposiums, National Association of Teachers of Singing National Conferences, Westminster Choir College's Voice Pedagogy Institute, and The David Jones Teacher Mentoring Program.

Acing Your Audition

Rebecca Pieper + Kelly Scott |  12pm

You’re already a superstar singer, so what else do you need to Ace Your Audition?Join our dynamic clinicians for an exciting deep dive into the real art of auditioning—before, during, and after your big 32 bars.

What’s in store? How to pick the perfect material that showcases you at your best, tricks to stay cool, even when the pianist surprises you with a tempo twist, handling cold reads or quick choreography like a pro, and the ultimate mindset hacks to crush those nerves and leave a lasting impression. Whether you're a seasoned performer or stepping into the audition room for the first time, this session will give you the tools and confidence to shine.

  • Rebecca Pieper is the owner of The Musik Makers: The Music and Performing Arts Studio of Rebecca Pieper, where she teaches voice, piano, and theatre. Her multi-disciplinary, multi-teacher studio serves students locally and nationwide, offering private and group instruction, as well as music and theatre arts camps. In 2022, Rebecca was honored with the Music Teacher of the Year Award by the Friends of Music Association.  IN 2025 she will be a graduate of the Masters of Vocal Pedagogy Program with a Musical Theatre Emphasis at Westminster Choir College of Rider University. She also holds certifications in YogaVoice (Level 1), NeuroVocal Method and CCM Levels 1-3 from Shenandoah’s CCM Summer Institute.

    In addition to teaching, Rebecca enjoys a vibrant performance career that bridges musical theatre and opera. She is also an accomplished conductor, music director, and stage director, often leading pit orchestras from behind her keyboard or drum set at various colleges, universities, and theatres in the Lehigh Valley. Rebecca made her solo recital debut at Carnegie Hall at age 17. Her breakout moment came when she became the youngest member of the New York City Opera Forum to perform the lead role of Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro.

    Recent stage appearances include “Tanya” in Mamma Mia at NCC Summer Theatre. Other notable credits include Amalia (She Loves Me), Annie Oakley (Annie Get Your Gun), Sonia (They’re Playing Our Song), April (Company), Narrator (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Carol (Laughter on the 23rd Floor), Irena (I Never Saw Another Butterfly), and Paquette (Candide). She is also the co-owner and music/artistic director of 514 Below, a group that produces and performs cabarets throughout the Lehigh Valley. 

    Rebecca is a passionate advocate for functional voice training, and empowers students to use their instruments confidently across genres, This coupled with her theatre/performance background helps her students to foster a deeper connection to their artistry.

    An accomplished presenter and clinician, she most recently shared her expertise at the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) National Conference in Knoxville. She is also slated to present at the International Congress of Voice Teachers in 2025.

    When not immersed in the performing arts, Rebecca enjoys spending quality time with her family, traveling, fitness, cooking, decorating, and doting on her spirited dogs.

  • Kelly Scott is a professional voice teacher, vocal coach, performer, and music director currently residing in Bellefonte, Pa. She is a graduate of the Steinhardt School at New York University holding a Masters of Music in Vocal Performance, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre from Wilkes University. Kelly is an active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), the National Association for Music Educators (NAFME), the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), and the Pan American Vocology Association (PAVA).

    In 2014, Kelly made her debut at Carnegie Hall while performing with New York Lyric Opera singing the role of Juliette in Gounod's Romeo et Juliette. Less than a year later, Kelly would be seen again with New York Lyric Opera performing the role of La Fée in Massenet's Cendrillon. In 2016, Kelly made her European debut in Salzburg, Austria singing the role of Madame Herz in Mozart's comic opera Der Schauspieldirektor under the direction of Sandra Moon and John Fowler of the Metropolitan Opera. 

    Among Kelly's various opera credits, other previous major theatre credits include Gertrude McFuzz (Seussical the Musical) Mrs. Walker (The Who's Tommy) and Constanze (Amedeaus), all of which were recognized by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for exceptional performances.

    Off stage, Kelly is a sought after music director and vocal coach, collaborating with regional and community theaters, local universities, and school districts across Pennsylvania. Notable music directing credits include Ride the Cyclone, Chicago, We Will Rock You,  Footloose, Holmes! The Musical (Premier), Mary Poppins, All Shook Up, Legally Blonde, and Willy Wonka.

    In 2023, Kelly was named as one of Pennsylvania Business Central's "Foremost Under 40", which aims to highlight the successful careers of emerging leaders across Pennsylvania. In 2024, Kelly was honored with the Joan Frey Boytim Award for Independent Voice Teachers through the National Association of Teachers of Singing, recognizing the top 15 independent voice teachers across the country.

    Also in 2024, Kelly Scott Studio's received a 1st place recognition of "Best New Business" in State College Magazine. Her students are currently national winners,  featured in off-broadway productions and in national tours across the country.

    @kellyscottstudios | www.kellyscottstudios.com

Emerging Into the Arts

Billie Bruley  |  1pm

So you’re finishing up your degree – what’s next? Join Dr. Bruley as he discusses topics for your future including Graduate Programs, Young Artist Programs, Building Your Brand & Business, Artist Management, and more! While the paths to your future may seem overwhelming and even daunting, this session is designed to layout the many paths you could choose to keep your upward trajectory and emerge as a professional artist. 

  • Praised by the Huffington Post for his “ringing high notes,” Texas-born tenor Bille Bruley has garnered attention for his strength and versatility in operatic repertoire from baroque to contemporary.

    His 24/25 season includes his debut at The Metropolitan Opera in a new production of Salome (First Jew) directed by Claus Guth and conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, his Carnegie Hall debut for Handel’s Messiah, and a return to Utah Opera for Sweeney Todd (Beadle Bamford). Future seasons include his debuts with Houston Grand Opera and Opera Theater of St. Louis, and returns to Lyric Opera of Chicago, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and Santa Fe Opera.

    Last season began with a debut at San Francisco Opera for Mason Bates and Mark Campbell’s The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs (Steve Wozniak) followed by joining the roster of the Lyric Opera of Chicago for Jenufa. On the concert stage he made debuts with the Houston Symphony in Salome (First Jew) and Fort Wayne Philharmonic in Mozart’s Requiem. 

    Other recent highlights included his role debut in Ariadne auf Naxos (Bacchus) at Arizona Opera and returns to Austin Opera for Sweeney Todd (Beadle) and The Santa Fe Opera for Der fliegende Holländer (Steuermann). Recent highlights include his role/house debuts in Mason Bates and Mark Campbell’s The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs (Steve Wozniak) with Austin Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and The Atlanta Opera and his also return to Arizona Opera for Così fan tutte (Ferrando). He joined the roster of Lyric Opera of Chicago Dead Man Walking and returned to Arizona Opera for Shining Brow (Louis Sullivan) and Riders of the Purple Sage (Bern Venters).

    Highlights from previous seasons include Britten’s War Requiem with the Tulsa Symphony, a program of Mozart arias with the Phoenix Symphony, and a return to The Santa Fe Opera, where he created the role of Benjamin in the world premiere of Poul Ruders’ The Thirteenth Child. 

    Bille has previously been an Apprentice Artist at The Santa Fe Opera (2018) where he covered in Candide (Governor/Vanderendur/Captain) and Doctor Atomic (Captain Nolan) directed by Peter Sellars. As a member of the Young Artist Program at The Glimmerglass Festival, he sang in Christopher Alden's provocative production of Sweeney Todd (Beadle Bamford) and in Robert Ward's rarely heard opera The Crucible (Giles Corey). He has also been an Apprentice Artist with Central City Opera, singing in Britten’s The Prodigal Son (The Tempter) and The Burning Fiery Furnace (King Nebuchadnezzar). 

    He joined the Marion Roose Pullin Opera Studio at Arizona Opera (2018-2020) where his assignments included roles in Così fan tutte, La traviata, Silent Night to name a few. Mr. Bruley was also an apprentice artist at Virginia Opera where he was heard in Samson et Dalila, La fanciulla del West, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Lucia di Lammermoor, The Seven Deadly Sins, and joined Baltimore Choral Arts as the tenor soloist in Handel’s Dixit Dominus under the baton of newly-appointed director Anthony Blake Clark. He was a Guest Artist with the Pine Mountain Music Festival and had a major success in the title role of Britten's Peter Grimes with Indiana University Opera Theater. 

    Bille Bruley hails from Montgomery, Texas and is a graduate of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Arizona State University, and Baylor University. Dr. Bruley currently serves as Assistant Professor of Voice & Opera at Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts, and the Voice Faculty at Opera in the Ozarks. He is managed worldwide at Opus 3 Artists. 

Utilizing Social Media in Your Voice Studio

Jordan Schreiner  |  2pm

In this presentation, we’ll focus on how to build a brand on social media for your Voice Studio in 2025. Jordan Schreiner has built and scaled a 6-figure global online voice studio using the power of Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok. This presentation will be a step-by-step guide on how the average person can go from 0 social media experience to an active and engaged community that will drive recruitment by building a brand.

  • Mr. Schreiner is most notably known for his portrayals of the romantic tenor roles, making recent debuts as the tumultuous Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, under the baton of Maestro Andrew Altenbach, and as the impassioned Rodolfo in La bohème, in a production with director JJ Hudson. Most recently, Mr. Schreiner portrayed the title role in a new and unconventional production of Offenbach’s Les contes d’Hoffmann directed by John Giampietro and conducted by Maestro Mark Shapiro. Mr. Schreiner has also made his mark in the Verdian repertoire, covering Alfredo in Verdi’s La Traviata under Maestro Thomas Bagwell.

    During his residency with Tri-Cities Opera, Mr. Schreiner played a number of characters ranging from the Tenor in Alison Mortiz’s production of Glass’ Hydrogen Jukebox to the Gingerbread Witch in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, under the baton of Maestro Vlad Iftinca, to the poet and lover, Gonzalve in Ravel’s L’heure espagnole, and finally as Gastone in Verdi’s La Traviata. Mr. Schreiner has also been seen in portrayals of Vaudémont in Tchakovsky’s Iolanta, Tamino in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Martin in Copland’s The Tender Land, and Frederic in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance.

    Equally at home on the concert stage, Mr. Schreiner has performed a number of concert works around the United States. Recent performances include multiple performances of Handel’s Messiah, as well as performances of Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass with the Catskill Choral Society and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Orchestra of the Finger Lakes. Mr. Schreiner is poised to make his Alice Tully Hall debut as the tenor soloist in Haydn’s Schöpfungsmesse with Maestro Patrick Gardner in the coming season after an unfortunate cancellation due to COVID-19.

    Mr. Schreiner has received a number of awards from academic institutions, most recently receiving a fellowship from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University as well as a fellowship from Binghamton University. Other awards include first place in the 2018 Opera Ithaca Competition and the top honor from Westminster College’s CoOPERAtive program.

    An avid teacher, Mr. Schreiner is the founder of Schreiner Voice Studio, a studio based in upstate NY that is quickly pushing the traditional boundaries of vocal pedagogy. The Schreiner Voice Studio explores the ideals of the “wholistic musician” by teaching not only vocal technique, but by emphasizing the physical and mental well-being just as equally. Mr. Schreiner’s students have been linked to companies such as Seagle Music Colony, Teatro Nuovo, Nashville Opera, and Ohio Light Opera. Mr. Schreiner also recently completed a year as an adjunct voice professor at Mansfield University.

    Mr. Schreiner graduated from Binghamton University in Binghamton, NY with a degree in Opera Performance. While in Binghamton, Mr. Schreiner participated in a number of operas, concerts and events with the regional opera house, Tri-Cities Opera. In 2014, Mr. Schreiner graduated from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania in Mansfield, PA with degrees in both Music Performance and Music Business: Management.

Cross Training:  A Practical Approach

for Singers and Voice Teachers

Jonathan Price |  3pm

Whether you are a classical singer looking to lend some authenticity to your musical theater selection, a commercial music teacher wanting to investigate new vocal colors with a student, or a musical theater performer trying to keep your voice flexible on tour, cross training may be a helpful tool. In this session, we will explore how to integrate cross-training into your current vocal routine. Topics explored will include laryngeal stability vs. flexibility, fold level registration, and resonance tracking and the influence of acoustic registers.

  • Praised by Opera Wire for his “effortless” and “ringing” tenor, Jonathan Price has performed leading roles in opera and concert throughout North America and Europe. Most recently, Mr. Price returned from a touring production of Bizet’s Carmen with Opera Pannonica in cooperation with the Jeunesses Musicales organization in the Istria region of Croatia. Other professional credits include:  Tamino in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Boheme, Lenski in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, Jeník in Smetana’s The Bartered Bride, and False Dmitry/Grigory in Mussorgsky’s Boris Godunov. He has appeared with companies such as Washington National Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, and Bronx Opera. Jonathan has presented his “crossover” concert, featuring vocal selections from western classical art song to pop-influenced musical theater for University Voice and Theatre departments across the country.

    Jonathan is a sought-after New York City based voice teacher and pedagogue. Jonathan’s clients have appeared in lead roles in the Broadway, National, and International Touring companies of a wide variety of shows including Ain’t Too Proud, Waitress, Shrek, and West Side Story. He holds voice faculty positions with Rider University and Marymount Manhattan College. He is the Assistant Director of the Voice Pedagogy Institute at Westminster Choir College, President of the New Jersey chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, and serves on the Board of Directors of NYSTA. Jonathan also serves as a lecturer, focusing primarily on musical theater voice pedagogy and crossover singing and has presented master classes and pedagogy lectures for Georgia College and State University, the University of North Georgia, the Stilson Institute, and the Loyola Voice Symposium at Loyola University in New Orleans. Jonathan holds a Master of Music degree and Performance Studies Certificate in Voice Performance from The Boston Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music.