Vocal pedagogy
Nicholas Perna, associate professor of voice + director of vocal pedagogyalong with students Whitney Robinson (DMA 28) and Alice Del Simone (DMA 26)demonstrates how the RespTrak system measures abdominal and rib cage movement as singers adapt respiratory strategies upon arriving at altitude over several months.泭
Credit: Owen Zhou
Welcome to vocal pedagogy at the 勛圖厙 of Colorado Boulder College of Music!泭
The College of Music voice area has a long history and lineage of strong pedagogical training. Past directors of vocal pedagogy include 泭硃紳餃泭two of the foremost leaders of vocal pedagogy in the 20th century. In addition to coursework, graduate students have opportunities to teach voice as a graduate teaching assistant and through the Continuing Education program. Assistantships are granted to experienced graduate students and a fundamental part of our DMA program.泭
Berton Coffin Voice Lab
At CU Boulder, the vocal pedagogy program is shaping the next generation of vocology thought leaders. The Berton Coffin Voice Lab provides students with hands-on access to cutting-edge tools and interdisciplinary training in voice science. Here, curiosity meets technology to explore production and perception of the human voice across styles and genres.
The lab focuses on deepening our understanding of voice acoustics, aerodynamics and biodynamicspreparing students to ask meaningful questions and drive innovation in vocal research.
The lab is equipped with the following technology:
- Glottal Enterprises Dual View system
- Glottal Enterprises Electroglottograph
- Glottal Enterprises Divider plate and mask nasometers
- Colombis RespTrak system
- Clarett 2Pre Audio Interface
- Earthworks M30 reference microphone
- Countryman H6 headmounted omnidirectional microphone
- Mackie Studio monitors
- Sennheiser closed back headphones
- Preamp, microphone calibrator, sound level meter
Singing Health Specialist Certificate泭
The College of Musics Singing Health Specialist Certificate incorporates study of speech-language pathology, vocal pedagogy, Alexander Technique and sports psychology. This program can be completed by current CU Boulder undergraduate students in addition to their regular curriculum.泭泭
Degrees
- BME Choral General
- BME Choral
- MM Voice Performance + Pedagogy
- DMA Voice Performance + Pedagogy

Nicholas Perna
Tenor Nicholas Pernas voice has been praised by the Houston Chronicle as an impressive sound while the South Florida Sun Sentinel commended his emotionally driven performance. Perna has appeared frequently with Opera Mississippi in recent seasons and was a finalist for the American Prize for Men in Opera. He has twice been selected as a Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Artist singer.
Equally adept on operatic and musical theater stages, Pernas roles include Don Jos矇 in Carmen, Rodolfo in La Boh癡me, Ravenal in Show Boat and Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden. His symphonic appearances include Mahlers Das Lied von der Erde and Beethovens Symphony No. 9. MORE
Contact
Nicholas Perna
Associate Professor +泭Director of Vocal Pedagogy
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