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Seth Killen
The South Carolina School of the Arts
The South Carolina School of the Arts
Associate Professor of Music
skillen@andersonuniversity.edu
(864) 231-2121
Rainey 116
Academic Background
Seth Killen, tenor, enjoys a varied career singing, stage directing, conducting, and teaching. He holds a DMA in voice performance with a cognate in voice pedagogy from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music and is an Associate Professor of Music at Anderson University where he teaches private voice, diction, and directs opera productions. His opera credits include Rodolfo in La Bohéme, Scaramuccio in Ariadne auf Naxos, Gonzalve in L’heure Espagnole, among others. Most recently, he has performed as the tenor soloist in Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven’s Mass in C, and Haydn’s Creation Mass. As a researcher, He is currently in the process of investigating collaborative teaching formats, small group instruction, trauma-informed practices, and the effect of various grading systems on student stress.
BM in Voice Performance
MM in Voice Performance and Music Literature, University of Illinois
DMA in Voice Performance, University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music
Fast Facts
Singing is an incredibly vulnerable process because it involves your mind, soul, and body. My primary goal in the studio is to create an environment where the student feels safe in trying new things, failing, and trying again. A typical lesson will start with catching up about the student’s life and work. Then, we transition into technical exercises that are tailored to the student to build proficiency in singing. The last half of the lesson is spent focusing on literature. At the end of the lesson, we will set goals and assignments for the coming week.
My purpose in life is to train the next generation of musicians that will use music to improve and change their world. Anderson University’s forward looking curriculum, excellent facilities, and focus on integration of faith and learning gives me the tools I need to train excellent musicians.
“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” –Victor Hugo
The work of a musician is not simply to entertain. Joyce Didonato, American Mezzo-soprano, refers to singers as “Secondary-responders” and I think this really captures the important work of musicians and artists. First-responders–firefighters, EMTs, police–respond to the emergencies around us. They triage the situation and move on to the next emergency, but left in the wake are wounds, injustices, and traumas to process. Musicians have the ability to be secondary responders, creating moments that heal, unite, challenge, and celebrate.
The people. One of Anderson’s four pillars is hospitality and that is evident when you are on campus. I greatly appreciate the family like atmosphere at AU.
Voice Pedagogy, Opera Direction, Diction for Singers