Theatre Voice Faculty Bios

Name: Carolyn Brady Riley

Full-Time or

Adjunct:

Adjunct

Voice Type: Soprano (Classical), Character Wide Range

Belter (Musical Theatre)

Education:

Master of Music in Vocal Performance - Roosevelt University, Bachelor of Music in Vocal

Performance & Minor in Theatre - Illinois State University

How would you describe your teaching style? I believe that performing, acting

singers need to learn a healthy, breathing-and supporting-from-the-core, natural, open,

free and resonant technique which will allow them to sing the multitude of styles of

singing that are called for in today’s musical theatre world. It is essential that one gets

to know and respect one’s instrument, understanding that each voice is unique and is

built with both strengths and limitations. Through healthy technique, we explore and

improve upon those limitations so that the singing actor can enjoy a long term career

and their instrument is capable of the demands of daily life and a rigorous

rehearsing/performing schedule. We explore breath, relaxation, resonance and range

while also paying close attention to honing strong musicianship and telling the story of

the character in a true, believable and compelling way.

What do you expect from your voice students in lessons and outside of the

studio? Students absolutely must vocalize daily based on the vocalizing that we do in

their lessons. Each of these exercises are tailor-made for their instrument and are

worked on a regular basis for good reason. Just as a great athlete has a solid training

and exercise program, it is the same concept here. Students should spend their time

studying the musicality of the piece before they try to dive in and tell the story. After

the notes and the rhythms are correct and the piece is settled in their voice, they

analyze the character, the text, the script, and break the song into dramatic beats,

always paying close attention to how the orchestration/instrumentation informs and

reflects their decisions. Students MUST bring a voice recorder, their binder of music

which is assigned to them, water, and a pencil to EVERY lesson.

What do you want your students to leave CCPA knowing? I want them to receive

and master the important skills mentioned above and leave my studio with a great

audition book that contains contrasting pieces which show their strength and uniqueness

as a person and performer. I want them to be viewed as professional, poised, and

prepared. AND HUMBLE.

What do you love about teaching voice? I am passionate about excellent performing

skills which include beautiful healthy singing and compelling story telling and I want to

help young singers get there. I love helping people realize and fulfill their potential!

What are your student pet peeves? Forgetting music, being unprepared, thinking

auditioners just want to hear 16-32 bars of your loudest belt, being naiive about the

importance of having a well-rounded audition book, and no-shows.

Tell us a little about your performing career:

(Excerpt from bio) After training for her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance with a Minor in Theatre (Illinois State University) and Master of Music in Vocal Performance (Roosevelt University), Carolyn has performed in the opera, musical theatre, and concert

genres. Credits include: Grant Park Symphony Chorus (Soprano & Alto), the soprano soloist in Mendelssohn's Elijah (First Unitarian of Chicago), the Brahms Liebeslieder, Giovanna in Rigoletto and La Maetressa in Suor Angelica (Intimate Opera), Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown (Chicago Tribune’s Kerry Reid called her a “standout” in 2011), Ella in Mack & Mabel, Miss Scatcherd/ Lady Ingraham in Jane Eyre (both Jeff Recommended) and Ensemble in Harry Connick Jr.’s Thou Shalt Not (all Circle Theatre), Miss Segstrom in A Little Night Music (Porchlight), Micaeala & Mercedes in Carmen (Vocal Arts Group), Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd (Effective Theatre), and First Lady in The Magic Flute (Brevard Music Center). While studying in the Opera Apprentice Program at Brevard Music Center in North Carolina, she coordinated a recital, An Afternoon of Opera, for patrons of the festival.  She has presented numerous recitals (Peoria Opera Guild, Intimate Opera, Illinois State University, Morgan Park Sunshine Club) and was honored to be invited to sing for then Lt. Governor Quinn of Illinois for his inauguration.  Carolyn directed and performed in Songs from the Sanctuary, a new recital series at First Unitarian Church in Hyde Park and appeared as the Soprano soloist in their Mendelssohn's Elijah in 2014.  She looks forward to presenting a recital in Chicago and Bloomington in the Spring of 2016.   

Who are some of your favorite singers, both MT and beyond? Classically I adore

Renee Fleming, I love Kerry Butler’s healthy approach to singing, and I am a HUGE fan of

Sara Bareillas as a singer (healthy, flexible, powerful, nuanced, real) and a songwriter

(Waitress opens soon!!).

Besides theatre and music, what else are you passionate about? I love the

outdoors, the water, running, gardening and general outdoorsy manual labor, animals

and our new puppy, my awesome kids Cameron (6) and Jack (4), how essential oils can

help us lead healthier lives, and I am a closet MMA fan.