Internationally known tenor soloist and teacher Ware to visit APSU next month as Acuff Chair

Clarksville, TN – Dr. Clifton Ware, an internationally known vocal pedagogue, master teacher, tenor soloist and author, will spend two weeks at Austin Peay State University between March 21st and April 1st as one of this year’s holders of the Acuff Chair of Excellence.

Established in 1985, the chair brings regionally and nationally acclaimed artists to campus to work with students and the community in a dynamic atmosphere of unrestricted experimentation.

Ware, a professor emeritus of voice pedagogy at the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis, received his D.M. degree in vocal performance from Northwestern University. As the chair of the Roy A. Schuessler Vocal Arts Center (1990-2007), he conceived, organized and executed many successful vocal events for the benefit of the local, regional and national vocal communities. He has been engaged as a guest artist/teacher at 55 colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Korea, Japan, South America and Europe, in addition to giving presentations at numerous national and international professional meetings.

As a tenor soloist, he has performed extensively in opera (53 roles), oratorio (79 works) and numerous recital venues in the U.S. and abroad. He can be heard on four recordings, including Benjamin Britten’s “St. Nicolas” and “Paul Bunyan.” Ware has authored three highly acclaimed publications: “Adventures in Singing,” “Basics of Vocal Pedagogy” and “The Singer’s Life: Goals and Roles.” His most recent book – “The Aging Challenge: Making the Most of Life After 50” – was released in January 2009. All books contain themes related to mind-body health and living a balanced life.

While at Austin Peay, he will conduct six vocal master classes, present lectures to Vocal Pedagogy, Class Voice and Diction classes, and coach individual singers in public voice lessons. At 7:30pm on April 1st, singers who have worked with him during his residency will be presented in recital in the Concert Hall of the Music/Mass Communication building on the Austin Peay campus. A reception will follow.

All master classes, vocal coaching sessions and the final recital are open to the public free of charge. For more information and a complete schedule of events, contact Dr. Sharon Mabry at 931-221-7656 or by e-mail at mabrys@apsu.edu.