Melissa Brunkan

Dr. Melissa C. Brunkan is currently Associate Professor of Vocal/Choral Music Education at the University of Oregon where she conducts the University Singers choir and teaches courses on conducting, vocal pedagogy, choral teaching methods, and teaching in higher education. Prior to her work there, she taught at Louisiana State University as well as in public and private schools, teaching and conducting students from pre-K through adult in the Milwaukee, Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City, and Baton Rouge areas. For the past 25 years, other experience has included private voice teaching, conducting, musical theater directing, vocal pedagogy/health consultation, and workshop facilitation. Dr. Brunkan has also sung and conducted professionally with choirs, opera and theater companies, and churches throughout the United States as well as presenting her research nationally and internationally. Her research interests include health benefits of singing, the use of gesture in vocal pedagogy, lifespan voice pedagogy, and singers with conditions affecting the voice.