Department of Music

Stephanie Nakasian (BA, MBA, Northwestern Univ.) is recognized by the Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz as one of the leading jazz singers in the world today with 13 CDs as a leader and numerous radio broadcasts for the internationally syndicated radio show Riverwalk. She was featured on Terry Gross' public radio show "Fresh Air," and was called "the Renaissance woman of jazz" by allaboutjazz.com .  She is the author of the book "It's not on the Page! How to Integrate Jazz and Jazz Rhythm into Choral and Solo Repertoire" which she has presented in workshops at over 20 state and national music education conferences including the MENC, MTNA and IAJE nationals. Her latest book "You already know how to sing:Voice lessons - Life lessons" is used as a text for her private lessons and includes two CDs of useful and fun exercises.   Her jazz style is compared to Ella Fitzgerald, June Christy and Rosemary Clooney and her improvisation workshops are popular with students from elementary school through professional levels and teacher training seminars around the U.S. and in Europe. Her performances as a headliner include the Kennedy Center, Lincoln center, Northsea Jazz Festival, JazzPartyatSea Cruise, NC Jazz Festival...and hundreds of school and club concerts. She was married to and musically partnered with the late jazz piano great Hod O'Brien and they have a daughter who is also a professional jazz singer and recording artist, Veronica Swift.

Ms. Nakasian's teaching is both technique and coaching oriented for non-classical repertoire students including theater, pop, folk, rock, gospel and jazz. Students learn to use their voices safely and effectively opening up tone and strengthening sound and correcting flaws in pitch and quality while working on repertoire of the student's choosing. A optional recital opportunity is normally offered at the end of the semester.

For more information visit www.stephanienakasian.com.