Did You Know?

Candace is passionate about the education and mentoring of rising singers. She holds an MFA in classical acting/direction, and spent years performing nationally and internationally. Following that, she taught for the theatre/music departments of Southern Methodist University. Combining these experiences with her years of extensive dance and vocal training, and recognizing the wonderful mentors she had along the way, Candace considers it an honor to ‘pay it forward.’

During her professional directorial work, Candace saw the need for increased acting training for young opera students. She set about achieving this goal by always including some educational engagements in her annual calendar. Invited, and re-invited to work at Yale, Indiana, Carnegie Mellon, and Shenandoah Universities, she has also created programs for YAP singers at the Santa Fe, Dallas and Fort Worth Operas, as well as the Taos Institute, Seagle Colony, Musica Nelle Marche, Oberlin in Italy and La Musica Lirica.

Understanding that traditional acting methods are not directly applicable for singers, often conflicting with the demands of their music, she developed a unique approach to opening up character development. Through the usage of masks, she helps singers find physical freedom. Through her unique program of specific moment to moment questions, she helps them create truthful story-telling. Through considered, loving support, she increases students ability to apply these processes, enabling them to trust in their decisions.

It is a joy for Candace to witness the growth in young singers, as well as the gratitude of their voice faculties, as this approach to acting creates strong and confident performers.