Deirdre Welborn
Professor Welborn is an active member of The National Association of Teachers of Singing, having served as President, Vice-President and Regional Governor in the SC chapter.
She is certified in Somatic Voicework through Jeannette Lovetri and the Institute for Contemporary Commercial Music Vocal Pedagogy at Shenandoah University. She is also an affiliate member of The Association for Body Mapping Education. She was also certified as a Singing Voice Specialist through the late Dr. Karen Wicklund and the Florida Center for Voice and Speech and works to vocally rehabilitate injured singers.
Notable achievements outside of music: "I have run two full marathons and one half marathon through Team in Training and the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, raising over $20,000 in memory of my brother, David."
What classes do you teach at Anderson
Applied Voice, Vocal Pedagogy, Vocal Diction, Conductor of the AU Women's Choir, Director of Contemporary Vocal Lab
What year did you start teaching at AU
1996 (full time since 2002)
Why teach at AU?
It is my calling to help each student discover, develop and maintain his or her authentic voice to be the best steward of God’s gift to be able sing for a lifetime. It is a blessing to teach at an institution of higher learning from a Christian perspective - we know why and to Whom and for Whom we sing and make music. “Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim His salvation day after day” 1st Chronicles 16:23. It is a joy and a privilege to work with supportive and encouraging colleagues and students who continually strive for excellence.
Hobbies
Gardening, traveling, photography, exercising
People might be interested to know I...
I enjoy singing in many different genres including classical, musical theater, jazz, and worship. I think it’s imperative the 21st Century singer is prepared to perform in many different styles of music, all in the healthiest way possible.
How would you describe your classes to someone who has never attended one?
My teaching style is one of encouragement mixed with humor all the while challenging students to move beyond their comfort zone. After all “if it doesn’t challenge, you it doesn’t change you”. In my voice studio, my Women’s Choir, and in my classes, I strive to create community of support, a “safe space” for learning, growing, and changing.