Postgraduate research students

My research aims to investigate the fundamental question of artists’ self-identification by exploring the lasting changes precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic in opera singers in the UK, specifically how they identify as artists and how they engage with their own creativity in post-pandemic creative spaces. This study will utilise identity as a reflexive tool for each artist to self-analyse and engage in identity work as a means of expressing who they are and what they may create in a post-pandemic context as opposed to pre-pandemic. I will also explore the perceptual elements of creativity in each artist individually and as a collective, questioning how they define and interact with 'creativity' now; ultimately, this will mean investigating, on a larger scale, the implications those definitions have on what kind of art they create, how they assess their own performance excellence, and how opera as a genre is beginning to morph and shift in response to the changes in its performers. 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Opera singers, singing, and the performance practice of 'opera' as a whole
• Social identity and the use of symbols to understand and express sense of being and place
• Queer performance practice, musicology, and representation, especially in sung performance
• Emotional reaction to sound and how we perceive emotion in sound and/or performance
• Educational practices and understanding the power and efficacy of choice and excitement in both classroom and one-on-one learning spaces

• Dr Eva Moreda Rodriguez
• Dr Stephen Greer

John Lunn Music Scholarship, 2023-24

The Kitzman Voice Studio is a new creative/educational space I've convened to address the ever-present need for accessible and high-quality education for singers and voice teachers alike. KVS is designed to support both singers looking to improve and build their technique and performance skills AND voice teachers looking to build their teaching skills or enrich their knowledge of how to teach others to sing.

For singers: whether you are: 

• a young singer with educational and/or professional aspirations
• a young singer who's simply interested in learning how to sing confidently and well
• an emerging professional looking to take your technique to the next level
• a seasoned singer who’s looking to solve some issues that have been standing in your way
• someone who used to sing but hasn't known where to start to get back into it

...or...

For teachers: whether you are: 

• a young singer who's been asked to teach someone or something for the very first time and have no idea where to start
• a more seasoned singer who has never branched out to teaching before and would like a solid foundation
• a practicing teacher who feels like you’ve not been getting the results that you want with your students and want someone to help figure out why and how to restructure some approaches
• a practicing teacher who would simply like to explore new methods and connect with others in the field

...KVS is here for you, too!

For more information: kitzmanvoicestudio@outlook.com