Lorraine Manz Elected to American Academy of Teachers of Singing

Lorraine Manz, associate professor of singing at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, has been unanimously elected to membership of the American Academy of Teachers of Singing.

Established in 1945, the AATS consists of nationally recognized teachers of singing and voice experts, as well as esteemed performers of classical and contemporary commercial music, noted authors, and voice science researchers. The academy consists of only 30 members, and all members are admitted solely by invitation.

Manz will be inducted in a ceremony at Columbia University’s Teachers College on February 10.

"I am honored to be elected to this esteemed organization and grateful to my many colleagues who have been mentors or supported my work through the years," says Manz, who has served on the Oberlin faculty since 1993. "This is an exciting opportunity to carry the Oberlin Conservatory name forward as a place of influence in the teaching of singing."

Each member of the AATS has served in leadership positions in professional organizations including the National Association of Teachers of Singing, the Voice Foundation, the Music Teachers National Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the New York Singing Teachers' Association. For much of this time, a member of the academy has served as editor of the leading publication in the field, the Journal of Singing. Members have also made significant contributions to annual symposiums sponsored by the Voice Foundation, and to international congresses, institutes, and festivals.

A mezzo-soprano who has enjoyed a wide-ranging performance career, Manz serves as director of the conservatory’s Division of Vocal Studies and director of the Otto B. Schoepfle Vocal Arts Center.

She played an instrumental role in developing the Symposium for Vocal Performance and Pedagogy, a three-day conference focusing on issues pertaining to vocal health, scheduled for January 31 through February 2 on the campus of Oberlin.

Before joining the Oberlin faculty, Manz taught at the University of California and at St. Olaf College. She is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.