Justin Petersen shares his journey as a singer and voice teacher, discussing the importance of rejecting labels in music, the misconceptions surrounding classical singing, and the objective standards that define it. He emphasizes the need for a broader understanding of classical music and the dangers of “chronological snobbery” in music education. Namely, the fashionable criticism of past traditions, and the lionizing of the present.

The discussion also touches on the significance of effective pedagogy and the challenges faced by voice teachers in conveying their knowledge to students. Aka, the language barrier. He critiques the reliance on trendiness in teaching, the limitations of traditional conservatory models, and myths about how the voice actually works, like “sing with an open throat!” Petersen emphasizes the importance of diverse musical exposure for students and the need for a more experiential approach to learning singing techniques.

Tune in now on YouTube or your favorite podcast app!

Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Justin Petersen, a native of Peculiar, Missouri, has appeared in opera, music theater, and concert performances throughout the United States, and is a voice teacher, coach, and writer on vocal technique, history, and teaching philosophy.

Since 2013, Justin has been the Lead Vocal Coach for My College Audition, helping high school performers prepare for their auditions for Music Theater programs. His students have been accepted at programs such as Pace, Elon, NYU Tisch, Marymount Manhattan, Penn State, Boston University, Emerson, the Hartt School, and Montclair State.

As a singer, Justin has appeared in concert with the Boston Pops, performing in a concert of the musical Ragtime, in addition to singing as backup vocalist for Sarah Brightman in her Christmas Symphony Concert tour. Justin has also been a member of the young artist programs of the Santa Fe Opera, Sarasota Opera Studio Program, Opera North, and Des Moines Metro Opera. He also performed the role of Silas Marner in a reading of Erica Glenn’s musical,“The Weaver of Raveloe” at the New York Music Theater Festival.

Justin also writes a Substack on vocal pedagogy, voice training, and philosophical musings from the teacher’s bench at justinpetersen.substack.com. His interest lies in making connections between the training of the earliest teachers against current scientific findings on the human voice. His private studio includes singers from opera, musical theater, rock, pop, and barbershop, as well as avocational singers and young singers. His students also currently appear in professional opera, Broadway, and national tours.

He received his M.M. in Opera at the University of Kansas and Bachelor of Music degree from Simpson College in Indianola, IA. Among Justin’s accomplishments are participating as finalist in the Opera Azuriales Competition et Concert des Soloistes in Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat, France. He is also a winner of the Kansas City District Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and the Berta Eisberg Scholarship Award of Mu Phi Epsilon.

http://www.petersenvoicestudio.com

justinpetersen.substack.com

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