Teaching
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Dr. Lara Semetko-Brooks is a Lecturer of Voice at The Ohio State University where she instructs applied voice in classical, musical theatre, and CCM Voice utilizing the Estill Voice Method to teach empowered, healthy crossover singing. She also serves on the Voice Faculty at Columbus Children's Theatre in Columbus, Ohio working with children and adults on healthy on creating their healthy and unique voices. As a contemporary voice specialist, Dr. Semetko-Brooks frequently presents workshops regarding flexible voice technique and cross-training of vocalists. Sessions ranging from “Crossing Genres: A Classical Singer’s Guide to Jazz”, “I’m Not Singing Opera Today”, to “Healthy Belting Techniques for Classical Singers” have been presented at The International Congress of Voice Teachers in Stockholm, Sweden, The National Association of Teachers of Singing, The National Opera Association, Kansas Music Education Association, Jazz Education Network, and to universities and high schools throughout the Mid and Interior West. Dr. Semetko-Brooks is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, The Jazz Education Network, The Kansas Music Educators Association, Sigma Alpha Iota, and the National Opera Association. Dr. Semetko-Brooks has her Estill Figure Proficiency in Estill Voice Training® and is currently working towards her certification as an Estill Method Trainer.
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Dr. Semetko-Brooks has been a guest clinician at universities, high schools, music schools, and competitions throughout the United States and Canada. She enjoys working with students of all ages and abilities preparing for a career in music; focusing on healthy technique, interpretation, style, audition and competition preparation. Dr. Semetko-Brooks is passionate about teaching functional voice / pedagogy and allowing vocalists to explore all styles of music to become vocal athletes. Her research interests lie with updating music school curriculum to better reflect the changing industry needs of vocalists and the business of music.
She previously taught at Washburn University where she served as The Voice Area Chair and Director of Opera Studies, The University of Illinois Springfield as a Professor of Voice and at Millikan University as an Adjunct Instructor of Voice. She taught at the Michigan Opera Theatre for their Operetta Workshop as the Vocal Coach since 2013; productions Ruddigore (2016), HMS Pinafore (2015), Pirates of Penzance (2014), & Patience (2013) and is currently a Teaching Artist for Columbus Children's Theatre summer camps.
If you would like to have Dr. Semetko-Brooks come to your school to give a lecture on technique, healthy singing, style, audition prep, acting the song, work with your choirs, or for lessons, please fill out the contact form.
She previously taught at Washburn University where she served as The Voice Area Chair and Director of Opera Studies, The University of Illinois Springfield as a Professor of Voice and at Millikan University as an Adjunct Instructor of Voice. She taught at the Michigan Opera Theatre for their Operetta Workshop as the Vocal Coach since 2013; productions Ruddigore (2016), HMS Pinafore (2015), Pirates of Penzance (2014), & Patience (2013) and is currently a Teaching Artist for Columbus Children's Theatre summer camps.
If you would like to have Dr. Semetko-Brooks come to your school to give a lecture on technique, healthy singing, style, audition prep, acting the song, work with your choirs, or for lessons, please fill out the contact form.
Teaching Philosophy
My journey into the voice studio, rehearsal room, stage, and classroom cannot help but be, passionate, strategic, direct, and persuasive. As a teaching artist my passion comes from passing on my knowledge, skills, and constant support to the next generations of vocalists. There is an electric energy in the studio or stage when the student has a light bulb moment while we are working together. Through guided questions, learning science-based technique, voice/ body connection, and play, students gain understanding of their voices and bodies, with efficiency and excitement! The role of the student embracing the learning process contains a multitude of characteristics. In my studio, singers must grow as people and as artists during their tenure of study. Cultivating students as learners and as empowered individuals allows for their unique voice and life experiences to come through in their performances.
In the studio, it is my job to create a fun, safe, and welcoming working environment where students feel the freedom to try new things without judgment. Lessons need to be filled with laughter for the students’ honest voice to come through and to allow them to be comfortable with new techniques. Students learn the traditions of healthy vocal production to continue to support stable, continued singing through any genre in which they choose. Understanding the science of how the voice and body operate is extremely important in learning how to operate your instrument. This is taught throughout lessons utilizing different models, such as the Estill Voice Method, and is integrated at every opportunity. Once these are understood through physical and vocal activities, vocalists can begin getting to know and freeing their own instrument. Technique is only developed through repetition and having a healthy understanding of the voice / body connection through science. Bridging the voice / body connection across a variety of different genres creates healthy vocalists who have full control of their classical, musical theatre, and CCM voices. This cross-disciplinary style of singing creates rich opportunities for understanding, learning, and growth with each student, as our singers must become hybrid vocalists upon graduate. Students enrolled in applied voice are trained to be healthy, science-based performers who have freedom in their voices and the ability to make artistic choices once they leave the studio.
Education is implemented with a strong investment toward cultivating the imagination, controlling the voice, playing with interpretation, and educating the whole musician. With gentle guidance and swift expertise, I expect that every student will work to their best ability and strive to explore their voices and acting choices. Through specific, detailed, and technique-filled lessons, discussion, presentation, cooperative learning, performing events, and keeping an open-door policy, the student will always focus on what is successful about their voices and the importance of why they learn it. Through my life experiences and training, I deliver exceptional facilitation and guidance for the lessons and topics of study and strive to make everything in the studio understandable and accessible for all students, at all levels and walks of life.
In the studio, it is my job to create a fun, safe, and welcoming working environment where students feel the freedom to try new things without judgment. Lessons need to be filled with laughter for the students’ honest voice to come through and to allow them to be comfortable with new techniques. Students learn the traditions of healthy vocal production to continue to support stable, continued singing through any genre in which they choose. Understanding the science of how the voice and body operate is extremely important in learning how to operate your instrument. This is taught throughout lessons utilizing different models, such as the Estill Voice Method, and is integrated at every opportunity. Once these are understood through physical and vocal activities, vocalists can begin getting to know and freeing their own instrument. Technique is only developed through repetition and having a healthy understanding of the voice / body connection through science. Bridging the voice / body connection across a variety of different genres creates healthy vocalists who have full control of their classical, musical theatre, and CCM voices. This cross-disciplinary style of singing creates rich opportunities for understanding, learning, and growth with each student, as our singers must become hybrid vocalists upon graduate. Students enrolled in applied voice are trained to be healthy, science-based performers who have freedom in their voices and the ability to make artistic choices once they leave the studio.
Education is implemented with a strong investment toward cultivating the imagination, controlling the voice, playing with interpretation, and educating the whole musician. With gentle guidance and swift expertise, I expect that every student will work to their best ability and strive to explore their voices and acting choices. Through specific, detailed, and technique-filled lessons, discussion, presentation, cooperative learning, performing events, and keeping an open-door policy, the student will always focus on what is successful about their voices and the importance of why they learn it. Through my life experiences and training, I deliver exceptional facilitation and guidance for the lessons and topics of study and strive to make everything in the studio understandable and accessible for all students, at all levels and walks of life.