Juhan-Hannes Tralla is a Lecturer in the Voice department at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, specializing in classical vocal performance. He is affiliated with the Classical Music Performance school, where he contributes to training students in vocal techniques and pedagogy. Research interests and teaching activities likely focus on: Vocal performance Classical singing methodologies Opera interpretation Music pedagogy Contact: juhan-hannes.tralla@eamt.ee
Vilja Sliževski is a Lecturer in Vocal Training at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, affiliated with the Classical Music Performance school and the Voice department. She has served as head of the voice department since 2005 and teaches at the Ellerhein girls' choir since 2012. A mezzo-soprano and vocal teacher, she is a member of the Estonian Theatre Union (since 1988). Education : Tallinn 7th Secondary School (1973) Georg Ots Tallinn Music School (1978) under Linda Toomsalu Tallinn State Conservatory (1983) under Mati Palmi and Ivo Kuus Research and Practice : Specializing in vocal training, pedagogy, and performance, she bridges classical opera, chamber music, and theatrical roles. Her work emphasizes voice adjustment, pedagogical methods, and interdisciplinary collaborations in music and theater. Performance History : Active in choirs (Estonia Theatre Choir, Estonian Television and Radio Mixed Choir) and theater, she performed solo roles at Vanemuine Theatre (1986–88) and supporting roles in operas like Verdi’s Luisa Miller and Puccini’s Sister Angelica . She also appeared in TV productions such as Tabamata ime (1983) and Kahe kodu ballad (1985). Teaching and Leadership : Since 1991, she has taught at EAMT, leading the voice department since 2005. Her pedagogical focus includes vocal chamber music, accompaniment, and choir training, influencing generations of singers and educators. Collaborations : She frequently collaborates with organist Pille Metsson in chamber and church music concerts, highlighting her commitment to interdisciplinary and community-based artistic practice.
Ene Rindesalu is a pianist, concertmaster, and lecturer at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, where she has worked since 1983. She serves as Opera Studio coordinator and lecturer in the Singing Department, with additional roles in the Chamber Music Department. Education: Graduated from Tallinn Music High School (1978) and Tallinn State Conservatory (1983), later earning a Master of Music degree in accompaniment (2005). Her career spans over three decades, focusing on opera studio direction, vocal accompaniment, and pedagogical training. Under her musical guidance, the Opera Studio has produced approximately 50 operas and concert performances, collaborating with directors like Arne Mikk and Taisto Noor. She has supervised the graduation of around 300 singing students. Rindesalu has taught piano at the Tallinn Pedagogical Institute (1987–91) and EELK Church Music School (1991–99), while also participating in masterclasses with renowned instructors such as Rosalba Trevisani and Peter Konwitschny.
Pirjo Levandi is a Lecturer in the Opera Studio at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (EAMT). Her work focuses on vocal performance and opera training within the institution's classical music and theatre programs. Role : Lecturer in Opera Studio Institution : Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre Her research interests align with classical music performance, vocal pedagogy, and interdisciplinary performance studies. No scientific awards or publications were explicitly mentioned in the provided information.
Rene Soom serves as a Lecturer in the Opera Studio at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, operating within the School of Classical Music Performance. His position focuses on practical training and pedagogy in opera performance. His academic work centers on vocal disciplines within classical traditions: Opera Vocal Performance Classical Music As a core faculty member, he contributes to the academy's performance-based curriculum through direct studio instruction. Professional correspondence may be directed to rene.soom@eamt.ee .
Sirje Medell serves as a part-time Visiting Professor in the Singing department at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (EAMT). Her contact information includes the email sirje.medell@eamt.ee . Fields of Interest : Vocal Performance, Classical Singing, Music Pedagogy, Opera, Choral Singing, Voice Training
Daniel Mayo serves as an Adjunct Instructor of Ballet in the School of Performing Arts at DeSales University and is lead faculty for the MET MEN full-scholarship boys' program at Metropolitan Ballet Academy in Jenkintown, PA. His career bridges professional dance performance and dance education. Mr. Mayo earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from The Juilliard School in 2007, where he performed with the Juilliard Dance Ensemble under Lawrence Rhodes. His training encompassed works by William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, José Limón, and collaborations with choreographers including Jessica Lang and Aszure Barton. A specialist in classical ballet and contemporary dance fusion, his artistic focus centers on collaborative creation processes, interdisciplinary performance, and the development of male dancers. His career demonstrates deep engagement with choreographic innovation across theatrical, film, and opera contexts through direct work with leading artists. As an educator, he has shaped curricula at Western Wyoming Community College and currently directs the MET MEN program, emphasizing technical precision and artistic individuality in male dance training. His pedagogical approach integrates professional performance experience with structured mentorship. Mr. Mayo's performing career spanned Atlanta Ballet (2007-2010), RUBBERBANDance Group in Montreal (2010-2014), and BalletX in Philadelphia (2014-2018), including Vail International Dance Festival appearances. He premiered works by Twyla Tharp, Matthew Neenan, and Victor Quijada while touring globally and contributing to award-winning film projects like 'Gravity Of Center'.
Lauren Curnow serves as an Adjunct Professor of Voice in the School of Performing Arts at DeSales University. A versatile mezzo soprano, she bridges classical opera, musical theater, and contemporary performance traditions with exceptional dramatic range. Her academic foundation includes: Doctoral candidate in Vocal Performance, Mason Gross School of Music, Rutgers University Master of Music, The Juilliard School Master of Opera Performance, The Curtis Institute of Music Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts and English, Muhlenberg College Ms. Curnow maintains an active international performance career spanning major opera houses and festivals. Her repertoire demonstrates deep expertise in 19th-20th century operatic works and symphonic literature, with recent portrayals including Angelina in Rossini's La Cenerentola and Anna Maurrant in Kurt Weill's Street Scene . She has performed eight mainstage roles with The Lyric Opera of Chicago and collaborated with conductors including Seiji Ozawa and Sir Andrew Davis at venues like Florence's Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and Japan's Saito-Kinen Festival. Her teaching philosophy integrates rigorous classical training with contemporary theatrical expression, preparing students for diverse vocal careers across multiple performance genres.
Adam Pietrzak serves as a lecturer and accompanist at the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk within the Faculty of Vocal and Acting. He has been an integral part of the institution since 2008, working with prominent professors including Prof. Dr. Andrzej Nanowski, Dr. Anna Fabrello, Dr. Alicja Rumianowska, Dr. Beata Koska, and Dr. Miłosz Gałaj. His educational background includes: Early musical training beginning at age 7 at the State School of Music in Białystok First and second cycle piano studies with Jolanta Wrońska Bachelor's degree in Instrumental Studies (piano specialization) under Dr. Paweł Rydel Master's degree in Jazz and Pop Music (Jazz Instrumental Studies) under Prof. Dr. Włodzimierz Nahorny Participation in jazz workshops in Neuburg, Germany with Wolfgang Meyer (2006) and Klaus Ignatzka (2007) Pietrzak maintains a dual expertise in classical and jazz traditions, with particular specialization in musical theatre accompaniment. His professional approach bridges academic training with practical performance experience, with notable emphasis on vocal accompaniment techniques including Complete Vocal Technique (CVT) workshops led by Katarzyna Idzikowska in 2013. His career demonstrates consistent engagement across multiple musical domains, with significant projects including musical direction for "Fame" (2015) and composition work for the children's musical "Cosmos" (2018). Professional highlights include: Musical director for "Fame" (2015) performed at Warsaw's Palladium Theatre and Szczecin Opera House Composer for "Cosmos" children's musical (2018) at Gdańsk's Shakespeare Theatre Regular collaborations with Miłosz Gałaj, Anastazja Simińska, Sylwia Banasik, and Golden Gate String Quartet Music production for Wielka Fabryka Elfów (2018-2019) Accompaniment for numerous vocalists including Kinga Pruś, Hanna Woźniak, and Paweł Ruszkowski He maintains an active professional presence through his website adammusic.pl, reflecting his ongoing contributions to both academic and professional music communities.
Bradford Clark is a Professor in the Department of Theatre and Film at Bowling Green State University's College of Arts and Sciences. He also serves on the Asian Studies Advisory Board and has taught courses in History of Film, Animation Scene Design, Asian Theatre, and Drafting/Drawing for Theatre. With extensive professional experience, Clark has collaborated with renowned institutions such as the Center for Puppetry Arts, American Conservatory Theatre, and the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. His research focuses on puppetry and mask design, informed by hands-on training with masters like Balinese dalang I Wayan Wija and Japan's Imada Ningyo company. Clark has curated major exhibitions, including Jim Henson: Wonders from his Workshop , and conducted fieldwork across Asia and Europe to document traditional and contemporary performance practices. As a practitioner, he has designed over fifty scenic works for theatre, opera, and dance, while creating original puppet productions at BGSU like Monkey Storms Heaven and Frankenstein . His international collaborations span Bali, Japan, and China, reflecting his cross-cultural approach to theatre design.
Prof. Agnieszka Zwierko-Wiercioch is a Professor at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music (Białystok Branch), affiliated with the Faculty of Instrumental-Pedagogy, Music Education and Vocal Studies and the Department of Vocal Studies. She joined the university in 2017 after a distinguished 35-year international opera career, performing at venues including Teatro alla Scala, Royal Opera Covent Garden, and Teatro Colón Buenos Aires. Education: M.A. in Electronics Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology Graduate in Vocal and Acting, Fryderyk Chopin University of Music Research Interests: Her expertise spans opera performance (mezzo-soprano repertoire), vocal pedagogy, solo singing techniques, and interdisciplinary approaches bridging music and technology. She currently focuses on training future generations through academic instruction and foundation work. Awards: Honorary Golden Engineer of the Technical Review (for interdisciplinary contributions) Additional Roles: Vocal pedagogue at AVE Foundation (Warsaw), SPAM member, and former co-host of a culture/art radio program (2020–2023).
Prof. Dr. Gabriele Hofmann is a faculty member at the Pedagogical University of Schwäbisch Gmünd , where she holds the Professorship for Music and Its Didactics (with a focus on Musicology) . Her academic career spans institutions including the University of Augsburg, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, and the University Mozarteum Salzburg. She has also held guest professorships at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe Universität Frankfurt and Freie Universität Bozen. Education : Formal training in piano (Hochschule für Musik München), musicology, pedagogy, and psychology (München/Weimar), plus certified coaching education Research Themes : Performance anxiety, musician health, self-concept in music, interdisciplinary approaches to music pedagogy Leadership : Heads the Institute of Arts and the Department of Music at her current university Her publications address topics like: Music and violence Gender issues in music education Neurophysiological aspects of music Self-perception in musicians Historical contexts of music pedagogy Creativity processes in performance She has organized numerous conferences including: 2024 Symposium: Musik Macht Gewalt 2021 Conference: (Deutsch-)Rap und Gewalt 2014 Symposium: Musik – Ein Spiel mit Grenzen und Entgrenzung 2011 Project: Musik & Gewalt
Katherine Twaddle is an Instructor at the Desautels Faculty of Music , University of Manitoba, where she coordinates Opera Studies and teaches performance skills. She has directed for major UK opera companies like English National Opera and Royal Opera House Covent Garden, and has led productions in Canada including Puccini's Madama Butterfly and Janacek's Jenufa . Education: BMus, University of Toronto PGCE, Middlesex University Her teaching philosophy emphasizes holistic development, integrating body, mind, and spirit to cultivate artistic curiosity and technical excellence. She trained in operatic stage direction at the Banff Centre (1987-1989) and with English National Opera. Research and creative work includes exploring Michael Chekhov's physical theatre techniques, Shakespearean text interpretation, and historical Baroque gesture. She has created libretti such as Angela and Her Sisters and developed condensed opera productions like Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and Handel’s Rinaldo .
Irena Milkevičiūtė is a Professor of Vocal Performance at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (LMTA), where she specializes in advanced vocal training. An internationally acclaimed soprano, she performs leading roles across major opera houses including the Moscow Bolshoi Theatre, La Scala, Metropolitan Opera, and Latvian National Opera, collaborating with world-renowned orchestras and conductors such as Valery Gergiev. Her artistic focus centers on dramatic and lyric soprano repertoire spanning Verdi, Puccini, Wagner, and Tchaikovsky. Milkevičiūtė’s interpretations of roles like Aida, Turandot, Brünnhilde, and Tatyana demonstrate exceptional technical mastery and emotional depth. She has performed across 20+ countries including the USA, Japan, Brazil, and European nations, partnering with legendary artists like Maria Guleghina and Paata Burchuladze. Her extraordinary contributions to music and theatre have earned numerous prestigious honors: Lithuanian National Award (1988) and National Culture and Arts Award (2000) Two-time Best Opera Soloist of the Year (2002, 2003) Golden Cross of the Stage (2020), Lithuania’s highest theatrical honor International competition victories including Mikhail Glinka (1st, 1977) and Tchaikovsky Competition diploma (1978) Poland’s Cavalry Medal for Artistic Achievements (1999) and Latvian National Opera’s Aldaris Award (2001) Milkevičiūtė serves as a judge for the Latvian National Opera’s soloist evaluations and previously contributed to the LNOBT Opera Studies Commission, bridging performance excellence with academic mentorship.
Edgaras Montvidas Prudkauskas is a Professor in the Department of Vocal Performance at LMTA, specializing in academic and practical training for vocalists. Research Interests His academic focus includes Vocal Performance Classical Singing Techniques Music Pedagogy Opera Education Performance Studies Music Education , aligning with the Department of Vocal Performance’s mission to advance vocal artistry and pedagogical methods.
