Debra DaVaughn

1. What are you reading?
Currently I am reading Singing and Teaching Singing – A Holistic Approach to Classical Voice by Janice L. Chapman, Super Genes by Deepak Chopra and Rudolph E. Tanzi, which deals with the interrelationship between genetics our environment and our overall health. For pleasure I’m reading Thirty-Five and a Half Conspiracies by Denise Grover Swank. It’s part of a great murder mystery series.

As it is audition and exam season, I am currently listening to a wide variety of reference recordings of Art Songs. A few of my favourite singers include Dawn Upshaw, Elly Ameling, Philip Langridge and Fritz Wunderlich. I have a four-year old daughter and am listening endlessly to her favourite songs which include Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple, Applause by Lady Gaga, Roar by Katie Perry, Bad by Michael Jackson and Happy by Pharrell Williams.

2. Where and what do you teach?
I have taught in my private studio in South Surrey for over 13 years. I have students from ages 9 to 82 with a wide range of vocal interests but am primarily focused on classical singing (opera, oratorio, Art Song) and Music Theatre. I base my pedagogical approach largely on the teachings of Richard Miller and the traditional Bel Canto school.

3. What are your favourite websites, mobile tools, favourite singers?
I use Musicnotes.com for online music purchases, the LiederNet Archive (www.lieder.net), the RCM Online Teacher Certification Program and the Aria Database (www.aria-database.com). Recently I began using Vocapedia (vocapedia.info), which is an information database about singing and the science of voice. I also began using Virtually Vocal (www.virtuallyvocal.com), a website that offers high quality accompaniment recordings. For music notation, I use Sibelius and am investigating online tools for tracking students’ weekly practice at home.

My favourite artists are Ann Wilson from Heart (http://www.heart-music.com/), Lady Gaga, Harry Connick Jr., Audra McDonald, Dawn Upshaw, Bryn Terfel, Sutton Foster and Suzie LeBlanc.

4. Do you have a particular repertoire expertise and suggestions for members to explore?
I have a good knowledge of Music Theatre repertoire, particularly for younger singers (13-22). I recently found “The Audition Suite: Four Comic Songs for Theatre Singers” published by Hal Leonard that are real gems and not well known. I also love Chausson’s Opus 2, containing 7 Mélodies. If you’re not familiar with it, check it out! It is exquisite and has a great variety of repertoire ranging in difficulty levels.

5. What are your recent and upcoming performances?
Recently my performing career has been focused on charitable events including: A Night on Broadway (a fundraising event for the Surrey Food Bank), as well as an opera gala in support of the Young People’s Opera Society of BC. I have also been busy producing a concert series at St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Ocean Park.

6. What is your experience with NATS (volunteering, conferences, competitions, judging, etc.)
I am new to NATS, but I recently served as a volunteer at NATS Vancouver SongFest 2016 and have attended a number of NATS International and North American conferences and professional workshops as a student in the past.

7. What are your professional affiliations?
NATS, NYSTA, The Surrey Arts Council, Young People’s Opera Society of BC, Canadian Actors’ Equity, Royal Conservatory of Music (both as a teacher and as a part of their Online Teacher Certification Program)