Education

DMA Vocal Performance and Pedagogy The University of Southern Mississippi 2009 – 2012

MM Vocal Performance
Stony Brook University, State University of New York 2007 – 2008

BA Music, Voice, magna cum laude University of New Orleans
2002 – 2006

Additional Studies

Hunter College, City University of New York

Private Student of Dr. Susan Gonzalez, 2006 – 2007
(Enrolled through the National Student Exchange Program, Spring 2006)

Nicholls State University, Louisiana

Private Student of Dr. Charlotte Pipes, 2005 – 2005 (Transfer student due to Hurricane Katrina, Fall 2005)

New Orleans Center for Creative and Performing Arts (NOCCA)
Student of Musical Theatre
Main Teacher- Blake Coheley 2001 – 2002

Principal Voice Teachers

Dr. J. Taylor Hightower, The University of Southern Mississippi
Dr. Raquel Cortina, University of New Orleans
Ms. Alissa Grimaldi, Stony Brook University
Dr. Timothy Long, Stony Brook University, Vocal Coach
Ms. Phyllis Treigle, University of New Orleans Dr. Susan Gonzalez, Hunter College, CUNY

 

Opera Production Experience

Founder, Producer, and Director

The 9^th Ward Opera Company • New Orleans, Louisiana

ninthwardoperacompany.com

• 2012 – 2015
• Chose performance concepts, created, coordinated, and implemented seven performances
• Recruited diverse group of musicians in the greater New Orleans area
• Auditioned, interviewed, hired 30+ artists and specialists of diverse races, ages, backgrounds
• Co-managed the marketing campaigns
• Co-created the website and update/maintain it regularly
• Interviewed with radio stations, newspapers, magazines, and other media regularly
• Administrator of the budget and payroll
• Strategically developed fundraising with the Marigny Opera House Foundation and successfully applied for and was granted two Jazz and Heritage Foundation Community Grants in addition to support from the Marigny Opera House Foundation
• Successfully negotiated procurement contracts for services of performers, stage directors, stage managers, musical directors, conductors, instrumentalists, choreographers, photographers, audio engineers, videographers, box office workers, lighting directors, costume designers, set designers, and venue managers

Gisela in Her Bathtub (1991)      by Neil Weisensel	Artistic, Musical, and Stage Director	2014
A Hand of Bridge by Samuel Barber (1959)	Artistic and Musical Director	2014
9th Ward Opera Co. in Concert	Artistic, Stage, and Musical Director	2014
An Embarrassing Position (2010)      by Dan Shore	Artistic and Musical Director	2013
Blue Monday by Gershwin (1922)	Artistic and Musical Director	2013
La serva padrona by Pergolesi	Artistic, Musical, and Stage Director	2013
Scenes from Purcell Operas	Artistic, Musical, and Stage Director	2013
Liebeslieder Walzer op.52 – Brahms (with a modern dance company)	Artistic, Musical, and Stage Director	2012
Trial by Jury by Gilbert and Sullivan Cox and Box by Sullivan	Artistic, Musical and Stage Director Artistic Director	2012

 

The Marigny Opera House  (See marignyoperahouse.org/)

Full-time Musical Director of the Musical Gayland  Fall 2013

 

Stony Brook University

Pre-College Program Faculty Member   2007 – 2008

Classical Voice Instructor and Director

• Taught opera workshop, opera theater stage direction, group coaching, movement, diction, and acting for the singer, sight-singing, music theory, opera history, musical theater survey, vocal literature, voice instruction, and audition preparation
• Directed studio-wide classes on stage movement and acting for the singer

 

Major Teaching and Directing Experience

 

 The University of New Orleans

• Taught private voice lessons to undergraduate music minors and non-music majors
• Assisted students in recital preparation, evaluated semester juries, and coordinated periodic studio classes
• Directed studio-wide classes on acting, stage movement, stagecraft, audition techniques, and music business for singers
• Directed recital-hour/seminar performances
• Applied various instructional strategies and techniques based on student needs
• Advised, instructed, managed, motivated and evaluated students
• Utilized computers, internet resources, and MS Office software in both lessons and classes
• Used the university’s online integrated database system for student grading
• Integrated recording and other technology into the teaching and learning process
• Successfully interacted with students, other educators, and the general public in a professional manner
• Communicated effectively verbally and in writing with fellow faculty-members, administrators, students, and staff
• Encouraged interdisciplinary collaboration

 

Talented Arts Program of St. Tammany Parish – Full Time Music Faculty Member

Talented Music Teacher  January 2014 – May 2014

• Taught general music history, music theory, musicianship, keyboard, and performance techniques to 3^rd-12^th graders (all instruments and vocalists)
• Prepared students for performances, organize, and produce performances
• Directed all performances (instrumental, vocal, musical theatre)

 

Other Teaching and Directing Experience

• Taught private voice lessons, undergraduate music minors, non-music majors
• 12-15 students per semester
• Assisted students in recital preparation, evaluated semester juries, and coordinated periodic studio classes
• Directed studio-wide classes on stage movement and acting for the singer

 

Belmont University (Nashville, TN)

Adjunct Professor of Voice  (Spring 2017)

 

Nashville State (Nashville, TN)

Adjunct Professor of Voice  (2016 – 2017)

 

 The Music Staff Studio (Nashville, TN) (See www.themusicstaffstudio.com) Studio Voice Teacher, 2016-2017

 Music Together (See www.musictogether.com/) Group Music Instructor 2006 – 2015

Music City Music Together (Nashville)

Music Together New Orleans

 

 

St. Andrew’s Episcopal School

Music teacher   August 2012-2013

• Taught singing and movement to songs and rhythmic rhymes in a variety of meters and tonalities in preparation for holiday performances
• Directed all shows

 

Louisiana Academy of Performing Arts (See www.laapa.com/)

Studio Voice Faculty Member   Summer 2008 and again 2011- August 2012

 

• Taught music theory for the non-music major
• 30+ students per semester

 

 

 

Memberships, Scholarships, and Honors

 

Member of The Woman’s Musicale – Est. 1917	Nashville	2015 – 2017
Opera on Tap Nashville – Soprano	Nashville	2016 – 2017
New Orleans Musicians Assistance Foundation Gig Fund	NOMAF	2014
Community Partnership Grant for The 9th Ward Opera Company	Jazz & Heritage Foundation	2013 and 2014
Gambit Award Nomination for The 9th Ward Opera Company	Gambit/Best of New Orleans	2012 and 2013
NATS Member	Member Number 77600	2011 – present
CMS Member		2011 – 2017
William T. Gower Concerto Competition Winner	The University of Southern Mississippi	2011
Full Scholarship	The University of          Southern Mississippi	2009 – 2012
Teaching Assistantship, Full, Studio Voice	The University of       Southern Mississippi	2009 – 2012
Full Scholarship	Stony Brook University	2007 – 2008
Teaching Assistantship, 75% position, Basic Music Theory	Stony Brook University	2007 – 2008
Full Scholarship Urban Leadership Scholarship	University of New Orleans University of New Orleans	2002 – 2006 2002 – 2005
Alumni Award, Outstanding Freshman Outstanding Senior	University of New Orleans	2003,  2006
Putnam Cultural Enrichment Fund Artistic Grant for lessons, NYC	Tulane University	2005

 

 

Performance Experience

 

Operatic Roles

An Embarrassing      Position by Dan Shore	June Jenkins	The 9th Ward Opera Company	2013
La serva padrona	Serpina	The 9th Ward Opera Company	2013
La bohème	Mimi	Southern Opera and Musical Theater Company	2010
I Pagliacci	Nedda	Southern Opera and Musical Theater Company	2009
A Hand of Bridge	Geraldine	Southern Opera and Musical Theater Company	2009
I Capuleti e i Montecchi	Giulietta	Stony Brook Opera	2007
Dido and Aeneas	Second Woman	Stony Brook Opera	2008
Così fan tutti	Despina	Brooklyn Repertory Opera Co.	2007
The Sisters by Nicholas Flagello	Marianna	Hunter College Opera,                 City University of New York	2007
A.F.R.A.I.D by Susan Stoderl	Constance Purity	Brooklyn Repertory Opera Co.	2006
Susannah	Mrs. Gleaton	New York City Opera Project	2007
The Ballad of Baby Doe	Kate	U. of New Orleans Opera	2004
Gianni Schicchi	Nella	U. of New Orleans Opera	2003

 

Operatic Scenes

La Traviata	Chorus	Renée Fleming Concert, Jackson	2010
Rigoletto	Gilda	U. of New Orleans Opera	2009
Manon	Manon	Crittenden Opera Studio, Boston	2007
Idomeneo	Ilia	Crittenden Opera Studio, Boston	2007
The Merry Wives of      Windsor	Alice Ford	Crittenden Opera Studio, Boston	2007
The Rake’s Progress	Bedlam Inmate	Crittendon Opera Workshop	2007
Così fan tutti	Despina	Hunter College Opera	2006
Die Fledermaus	Chorus	U. of New Orleans Opera	2005
Le Nozze di Figaro	Barbarina	Stony Brook University Opera	2004
Manon	Nun	Stony Brook University Opera	2004
The Mikado	Chorus	U. of New Orleans Opera	2004

 

 

Concerts and Recitals

Kathleen Westfall in Recital – Sacred Space for the City Series	Christ Church Cathedral Nashville, TN	2017
Fundraising Concert for Mending Hearts, Inc – soprano soloist	West End United Methodist Nashville, TN	2017
Kathleen Westfall in Recital	Nashville State	2017
Kathleen Westfall in Recital	Centennial Club of Nashville	2016
Kathleen Westfall in Recital	Brookdale Belle Meade – Nashville	2016
Soprano Soloist with Opera on Tap	Various Venues in Nashville	2016 2017
Soprano Soloist with Chatterbird Chamber Music Group	OZ Arts Nashville	2015
Kathleen Westfall in Recital – The Woman’s Musicale, Est. 1917	Various Venues in Nashville	2015 2017
Soprano with the Nashville Opera Ensemble	Fundraising event: Opera@ Fat Bottom Brewing: Beers & Baritones	2015
Soprano Soloist with The Wee Trio	2015 Jazz and Heritage Festival, New Orleans	2015
Bachanalia – Soprano Soloist on BWV 209 and BWV 51	Sacred Space for the City Arts Series Nashville, TN	2015
Portara Ensemble “One World Many Voices” Concert	St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, Nashville, TN	2015
Guest soloist at the American Harp Society National Conference	The Roosevelt, New Orleans	2014
9th Ward Opera Co. in Concert	The University of New Orleans	2014
Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and Scarlatti’s Lamentations soloist	Marigny Opera House	2014
Guest Artist at a Nashville Jazz Workshop Performance	The Nashville Jazz Workshop	2014
Houston Achievement Place Fundraiser Soloist	Houston, TX	2014
Monteverdi’s Vespers soloist	Marigny Opera House	2013
Excerpts from Purcell Operas	Marigny Opera House	2013
Vibes and Voice – Recital with James Westfall	Marigny Opera House and Trinity Episcopal, New Orleans	2013
Liebeslieder Walzer op.52 (Brahms) -9th Ward Opera Co.	Marigny Opera House and Allways Lounge Theater	2012
Member Artist Recital- NATS Southern Region Conference	Louisiana State University	2012
Shepherd on the Rock	Trinity Episcopal, New Orleans	2012
Jazz Vespers – “Creole Love Call” by  Duke Ellington	Trinity Episcopal, New Orleans	2012
Premier performance – “Dream Songs” by Rex Gregory	The Blue Nile, New Orleans	2011
Hurricane Irene Flood Relief Concert	Trinity Episcopal of New Orleans	2011
William T. Gower Concerto Performance	The University of Southern Mississippi	2011
Doctoral Lecture Recital	The University of Southern Mississippi	2011
Doctoral Chamber Recital	The University of Southern Mississippi	2010
Doctoral Solo Recital	The University of Southern Mississippi	2010
Solo Recital	St. John’s Artist Series, Thibodaux	2009
Master’s Recital	Stony Brook University	2008
Senior Recital	University of New Orleans	2006
A Night of Song	Nicholls State University Thibodaux	2006
Solo Recital	Trinity Artist Series, New Orleans	2005
Junior Recital	University of New Orleans	2005
Sechs Nocturnos (Mozart)	Stony Brook University	2004
Messiah – full Orchestra – Soloist	Stony Brook University	2004

 

Master Classes/Workshops/Conferences

The Voice Foundation Annual Symposium, Philadelphia	The Voice Foundation	2014
NATS National Conference, Boston	NATS	2014
NATS Winter 2013 Conference, San Antonio	NATS	2013
Master Class with Leah Partridge	The University of      Southern Mississippi	2011
Singers Studio for Opera Participant	New York, NY	2010
Master Class with Costanza Cuccaro, Indiana University	The University of Southern Mississippi	2010
Master Class with Alissa Grimaldi, Classical Singer Convention	Brooklyn, NY	2008
Crittendon Opera Workshop Participant (Summer)	Boston, MA	2007

 

Language Studies

Italian, French, and German Diction with Dr. Timothy Long	Stony Brook University	2007- 2008
Moderate skill with French, Spanish, German and Italian languages.	Two semesters of formal study in each language UNO and Stony Brook University	2003-2008

 

Sacred Music Experience (Abridged)

 

First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston Museum District and Richmond Campuses

• Soloist for worship services    2018 – present

St. Ann’s Episcopal Church Nashville, TN and Pegram United Methodist Church

• Soloist for worship services, weddings, and funerals                                2014 – 2017

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Easthampton, NY                                                                      2007 – 2008

• Full time soloist and choir member for Sunday morning worship services and Saturday evening Vespers

Trinity Episcopal Church and multiple other Episcopal churches in New Orleans, LA

• Soloist for worship services, weddings, and funerals                                                       2004 – 2014

 

Acting / Movement Study

Alexander Technique Class, 8 weeks Acting I, Acting II, Stage Movement	Lisa Lutton, Instructor, New Orleans University of New Orleans		2013 2002-2003
Advanced Studies of Modern Theater	University of New Orleans		2003
Dance Training
Modern Dance 101	Stony Brook University		2008
Workshop in Renaissance Dance	Stony Brook University		2008
Dance Student- Ballet, Jazz, Modern	New Orleans Center for Creative Arts		2001-2002
Dance Student- Ballet, Jazz, Modern	Battaglia School of Dance		1990-2002

 

Vocal Pedagogy Studies

Vocal pedagogy dissertation topic: A Model of an Effective Approach to Studio Voice at the Undergraduate Level: The Vocal Method of Dr. Raquel Cortina	The University of Southern Mississippi	2011-2012
Advanced Vocal Pedagogy II & III	The University of Southern Mississippi	2008-2009
Vocal Pedagogy I	Nicholls State University	2005

 

Other

• Ancillary Certification in Music Education in the State of Louisiana, 2014 – 2019
• Hospice Volunteer (Music), New Orleans and Nashville, on-going
• Musical Advisor to the St. John’s Concert Series Non-Profit Organization in LA
• Musician’s Village, among original occupants (2009-2014), performed at Ellis Marsalis Center (2013) (See www.ellismarsaliscenter.org/musicians-village)