Mississippi State’s Department of Music is hosting its annual Vocal Odyssey in Creativity and Education conference Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14-15.
With a diverse lineup of engaging workshops and performances, the event—also known as VOiCE—celebrates the art of music and its role in education and creativity. The public conference is designed for high school and college students and educators seeking professional development or continuing education unit credits. It features presenters and artists from across the country and takes place in MSU’s Music Building, located at 124 Hardy Road.
Admission is $15 for access to all sessions and is free for MSU students with an MSU ID. Registration is not required. The event is 2-9 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday.
Internationally acclaimed Steinway Artist Julian Gargiulo, known as the “Pianist with the Hair,” headlines the event with a Friday recital, 7:30 p.m., in the Recital Hall. He has graced prestigious stages worldwide, including Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House. Gargiulo will be joined by soprano Nyla Thomas, a distinguished MSU alumna and Eastman School of Music graduate, alongside MSU pianist Anne Katherine Ragsdale and other faculty members.
Attendees can explore innovative teaching methods, vocal techniques and performance practices during workshops. Sessions include “Compassionate Connection and Reciprocity in the Studio and Classroom” by MSU Assistant Teaching Professor Amy Catron; “My Voice ‘Toolbox’” presented virtually by New York vocal pedagogue Sophie Lair-Berreby; “Yoga for the Stage” by MSU lecturer Cori Reece; “Performance Practice and Vocal Registration in Gustav Mahler’s ‘Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen’” by Samford University faculty member Christopher Withrow; and “Sing with Your Feet: Rhythm Dance as a Tool for Teaching Balance and Movement in Opera Workshop” by University of Mississippi faculty member Bonita Bunt. Additionally, question-and-answer sessions with guest artists will provide insights into building successful careers in music and navigating life after college.
To view the conference schedule and more details about artists and presenters, visit www.tinyurl.com/5a9xuycp. Attendees interested in earning CEU credits will receive more information following the sessions.
The event is made possible by the James W. Criss Christianity Trust and the Bulldog Experience Learning Liaison Grant, along with dedicated efforts of MSU’s faculty, students and community partners.