Celebrating the benefits of studying voice and theatre

What are the benefits of studying singing and acting?

Singing and acting may seem like just a fun thing to do but as a Broadway veteran, producer and teacher who had a leading role ("Sarah") in the Tony award winning Broadway musical by Stephen Sondheim-COMPANY, I think there is more to it than that, especially for developing minds. And I understand that there are concerns that this year has been concerning for teachers and parents concerning the education and progress of their children and students.

My main love has always been education, and I have always taught at the same time that I have been a performer, even when I was on Broadway. My greatest joy is seeing people of all ages come alive and gain confidence as they sing and act. Sometimes students study with me just to be able to get that solo in choir, or others want to make it a career. The growth occurs for all of them in terms of their confidence, collaboration skills, and of course...their talent! Currently living in Milford CT, I have a career that has spanned over 30 years professionally performing with operas, theatres, symphonies around the US and have played “Christine” in the European tour of Phantom.

The New York Times, Joanne Lipman, says, "Multiple studies link music study to academic achievement. But what is it about serious music training that seems to correlate with outsize success in other fields? The phenomenon extends beyond the math-music association. Strikingly, many high achievers told me music opened up the pathways to creative thinking. And their experiences suggest that music training sharpens other qualities: Collaboration. The ability to listen. A way of thinking that weaves together disparate ideas. The power to focus on the present and the future simultaneously."

This summer my focus is on teaching voice and acting lessons. I know that music lessons spur emotional and behavioral growth in children and we have had a year of wondering if our youth were learning enough. Music training not only helps children develop fine motor skills, but aids in emotional and behavioral maturation as well, so I feel that the students I have been teaching, online and in person (outside), have grown. Here is a recently created short video that featured my studio students.

Jackie Garmone, a rising senior at the Hartt school says, "As a vocal student of Professor Huffman, I have learned so many valuable things that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Professor Huffman is an expert at vocal technique and vocal sustainability. Throughout my time as her student at the Hartt School (Univ of Hartford) my voice has completely grown and transformed from the high school level to a professional one. Through her teaching I have developed a legit sound and a mix belt that is healthy and competitive in the modern-day musical theatre world. She is also excellent at adapting to each student's needs. She takes the time to really get to know her student’s voices, so she knows how to uniquely help improve each student. "

I am also the Founder and Producing Artistic director of The New ParadigmTheatre (NPT), a professional non profit (501c3) theatre company, whose mission is to foster creative problem solvers, leaders, and global citizens through theatre arts education and productions. www.nptheatre.org. This summer it will be so gratifying to guide NPT's live production of FOOTLOOSE starring Grammy and Emmy winner Paul Bogaev as "Reverend Shaw" and featuring local youth onstage elbow to elbow with the adults stars. www.nptheatre.org.

I graduated Summa Cum Laude from both Capital University Conservatory ofMusic BM (Music ed: flute and voice concentration) and Northwestern University (Masters of Music- Opera) www.kristinhuffman.com and says I look forward to continuing to teach all ages of students.