Alisa Toy

The Inland Northwest Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing recently presented member Alisa Toy with the 2023 Winnifred Collier Ringhoffer Award for professional development.

Toy, an award-winning coloratura soprano and professor of voice at Washington State University, is using the $1,000 cash prize accompanying the award to attend the NATS Science-Informed Voice Pedagogy Institute, June 25 through July 1 at Utah State University. The inaugural Institute is training enrollees in the application of current voice science to their teaching.

The Winnifred Collier Ringhoffer Award commemorates the legacy of Winn Ringhoffer (1928-2019), a long-time member of NATS and a prominent figure within the Inland Northwest Chapter. Ringhoffer's leadership extended to the national level, where she served as the region governor for the Intermountain Region on the NATS national board.

About Alisa Toy

Award-winning coloratura soprano Alisa Toy hails an impressive 30-year performing and teaching career. Her soloing opportunities include with the Palouse Choral Society, Washington Idaho Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, Mississippi State Symphony Choir and Orchestra, the Columbus Choral Society, and the Greeley Chorale and Philharmonic Orchestra. Internationally, Toy soloed in Great Britain, Canada, Pakistan, and Italy, including a concert for Pope Benedict XVI with the Rome Symphony Orchestra. As a soloist, Toy most-recently enjoyed performing Haydn’s Missa in Augustiis (Lord Nelson Mass) with the Washington State University choirs and orchestra along with the Palouse Choral Society. She also enjoyed premiering Kevin Padworski’s Vox Crepusculum in 2022 with the Palouse Choral Society. Some of her past favorite soloing opportunities include Mozart’s Requiem and Krönungsmesse (Coronation Mass), along with multiple performances of Handel’s Messiah, and Judas Maccabeus. Opera and musical theatre roles include Pamina in Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” Gertrude in Humperdinck’s “Hänsel and Gretel,” Maria in Bernstein’s “West Side Story,” and Grace in Strouse’s “Annie.”

Toy is currently serving as a professor of voice at Washington State University. She holds a master’s degree in vocal performance and choral conducting from the University of Idaho and graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in music education from Mississippi University for Women. Toy enjoyed teaching K-12 music for several years in public and private schools, and she also enjoys teaching voice and piano through her private studio, Singingtoy Studio.

To contribute to the Winnifred Collier Ringhoffer Memorial Fund, visit the “NATS Endowment” page on NATS.org and select the “Winnifred Collier Ringhoffer Memorial Fund” link or follow the button below. You also may contact the NATS Executive Office at (904) 992-9101 for assistance.

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