Louisa Jonason
Educator
Louisa with Children

Ms. Jonason and a group of sixth graders, after a performance of Don Carlos with the Dallas Opera.

College Teaching Experience

2007 - Appointed Assistant Director/Chair of the D’Angelo Department of Music.

1993-present - Assistant Professor in music, head of the voice department D’Angelo School of Music, Mercyhurst College, Erie, PA

  • Faculty Research Committee (sub-committee of the college senate)
  • Head of Search Committee - voice faculty positions, D’Angelo School of Music
  • Faculty advisor - High Notes, D’Angelo School of Music newsletter

Courses Taught (1993 to Present)

Applied Voice - private 1-hour voice lessons for majors only, 1993-present.

Vocal Pedagogy (for voice majors) - survey of methods of singing, voice functions, anatomy, and physiology, 1993-present.

Vocal Pedagogy (for education majors) - vocal techniques, teaching the beginning voice, 1993-present.

Opera Workshop - scene work, acting and audition techniques, 1993 - present. [ See Below ]

D’Angelo Opera Theatre - Annual main stage opera fully staged with orchestra, 1993-present.

Music History/Opera Survey - beginnings of opera and its development through the 20th and into the 21st century, 1993-1999.

Accompanying Techniques - prepared vocal literature, 1993-1997.

Small Ensemble - conducted group of 8 singers; madrigals and spirituals, 1995.

Vocal Literature and Materials (for voice majors) - vocal literature from 1500's to present; examination of literature, performance practices, available recordings and related materials, 1993-present.

Vocal Literature and Materials (for education majors) - vocal literature for beginning singers, compiled anthology for beginning singer, 1993-present.

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Art Song Symposiums

2007 - Recital and lecture American Stories - World Premier of Walt Whitman Poems, written for Ms. Jonason by M. Joseph Rendulic.

2004 - Festival of New Music - World Premieres of works by Colantti, Suskind and Rendulic.

2002 - Emily Dickinson in Word, Song, and Dance.

1999 - Concert of Art Song with John Moriarty.

1998-1999 - Poetry/Art Song Symposiums at Barnes & Noble

1997 - Academic Celebration, Mercyhurst College - French Impressionism, an examination of contemporary French art song and painting.

1996 - Mental Health Week - a retrospective of the life and music of Robert Schumann with Dr. Albert Glinsky.

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Masterclasses and Residencies Facilitated

Students were prepared vocally and musically for participation in masterclasses given by the following people:

Seymour Barab - America’s most prolific Opera composer.

Janet Bookspan - Stage director, Master vocal coach, actress, singer.

Dorothy Danner - Internationally renowned stage director and actress.

David Diamond - Composer.

Heidi Grant Murphy - Leading soprano, Metropolitan Opera.

Paul Groves - Leading Tenor, Metropolitan Opera.

Robert Grayson - Head of voice department, Lousiana State University; General Director, Baton Rouge Opera; tenor.

Marilyn Horne - Legendary mezzo-soprano; Teacher; Arts advocate.

Lester Lynch - Baritone, Winner of the D’Angelo International Vocal Competition.

John Moriarty - Director of Opera program at New England Conservatory; Author of Diction for Singers.

Coke Morgan - Tenor, two internships with D’Angelo Opera Theater. Sang Hoffmann in Tales of Hoffmann and created role of Pedro in License to Marry.

Chen Reiss - Renowned leading soubrette soprano.

Mark Rucker - Internationally renowned leading baritone, Metropolitan Opera.

Heidi Skok - Principle artist, Metropolitan Opera and Martin Hennesey - Coach/accompanist; Composer.

Robert Ward - Pulitzer Prize winning composer; Founder of North Carolina School of the Arts.

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Masterclasses given by Ms. Jonason

2006 conducted Master Classes at Festa Lirica Italiana in Forio, Ischia, Italy.

American Singers Opera Project - Panel discussion on pursuing and sustaining a career as an opera singer, Henry Street Settlement, 2001, 2002 and 2003

The Five Arias Class - NYC; Erie, PA - 1993 to present

Opera IS Theater - NYC - 1993 - present

Young Artist Program, Masterclass - Opera North; Lebanon, New Hampshire, 1993

Six-Week Seminar - How to Audition, Abraham Goodman House, New York City, 1990

Masterclass - The Role of Madame Butterfly, Southern Methodist University, 1989 - Sponsored by the Dallas Opera

Discussion on Vocal Technique and the Mental and Physical Health of an Opera Singer, Hunter College, 1987

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Competitions Adjudicated

1993, 1996, 1999 - First round judge for the D’Angelo International Voice Competition held tri-annually at Mercyhurst College. Final judges have included Marilyn Horne, Joan Sutherland, Carlo Bergonzi and John Wustman.

[ Program Picture ]

1994 - NATS Young Artist Award - District judge.

Auditions for ASOP (The American Singers Opera Project) 2001, 2002, 2003

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Organizations and Affiliations

Board of directors, American Singers opera project (ASOP)

National Association of Teachers of Singing

  • District board member (1994)
  • Hosted district voice competition at Mercyhurst College (1994)

New York Singing Teachers Association

Actors’ Equity

American Guild of Musical Artists

National Opera Association - D’Angelo Opera Theatre performed scenes from La Bohème, National Convention, Toronto, 1993

Center for Contemporary Opera - Friend

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Opera Workshop

Accompanist, Stage Director and Set & Costume Design for all productions.

May 1994
La Bohème (excerpts), Puccini

April 1995
The Marriage of Figaro (excerpts), Mozart

January 1996
The Impresario, Mozart

February 1996
The Old Maid and the Thief, Menotti

August 1999
The Telephone, Menotti
Click thumbnail image for more pictures from the production.

October 2000
The Medium, Menotti

February 2002
Sour Angelica, Puccini
Click thumbnail image for more pictures from the production.

May 2003
American Opera is Theater I
American Opera is Theater II
Click thumbnail image for more pictures from the production.

May 2004
Opera 1, 2, 3 ... Go!!!

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2005
Opera is Theater
Scene Study

2006
Recital of Arias
The 5 Arias Class

2007
“Mozart and His Merry Maids”
(Mozart arias, duets and trios)

2008
“A Puccini Sandwich on French Bread”
(Scenes from la Bohème, Tosca and more, surrounded by scenese from Carmen and The Tales of Hoffmann.