Leia Wasbotten

Style: Pop; Opera; Jazz; Folk; Gospel; Rock; Classical; Musical Theatre

Bio:

Whether on stage or in the classroom, Leia has found a multitude of avenues to express her love for music and for people. Leia received her Doctor of Musical Arts from Arizona State University (ASU) where she focused her research on contemporary vocal pedagogy. Her dissertation, Classical to Contemporary: The Evolution of Classical Vocal Pedagogy in a Contemporary Studio reviews vocal pedagogy from the Western Classical canon, and translates that vocal health to the genres of pop, gospel, country, music theatre, and jazz. This paper contains vocal warmups geared towards various genres, repertoire lists and analysis for teachers and students to feel more confident choosing songs in multiple styles, and a deeper analysis of specific songs and how one can teach/learn to sing them. Her Masters in Music, also from ASU, focused on classical and musical theatre vocal performance. Her research in her masters dove into choral singing, specifically vibrato when related to solo classical literature versus choral literature, and the healthy ways to be able to switch between both genres. She holds her Bachelor of Arts degree from Penn State University.

A private vocal coach for almost a decade, Leia has assisted her students towards successes in regional, community, and professional music theatre auditions, college music theatre and classical voice programs, Carnegie Hall Honors Choir performances, regional and state choir auditions, and NATS district, regional, and national competitions. She is currently the Artistic Director of the Music Theatre department at Mesa Community College where she vocal music directs all musical theatre productions, teaches private voice lessons, Broadway Solos, Class Voice, Vocal Pedagogy, and Audition Techniques classes. Leia specializes in using classical vocal pedagogy to teach singers how to sound authentic in whatever genre they choose to sing, while maintaining vocal health. She provides masterclasses and workshops all over the Phoenix area in musical theatre, pop/rock techniques, and riffing, as well as vocal health and vocal pedagogy clinics.

Along with teaching, you can find Leia on the stage or behind the mic in various professional choirs, musical theatre productions, and gigs across the Valley. She is currently an alto in the semi-professional choir, Canto Vivo Chorale, and is a prior Phoenix Chorale singer of seven years. Leia has toured all over the world performing choral works with Canto Vivo Chorale and Essence of Joy, has performed with The Rolling Stones and Michael Bublé, and has sang under the direction of Ramin Djawadi in the Game of Thrones National Tour. She has also been on stage with Arnie Roth and the Phoenix Symphony in the national tour of Distant World: Music from Final Fantasy, sung with the Phoenix Bach Society, Arizona State University's Gospel Choir, The King's Carolers, and is currently a worship leader at Saint Thomas More. The last few musical theatre productions Leia has performed in are Godspell at ASU, and Bernstein's Mass also at ASU, along with participating in the Phoenix Theatre Company's New Works Festival. Her most recent role was Judy Bernly in Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 under the direction of Trisha Ditsworth.

Currently, you can find Leia leading worship at St. Thomas More in Glendale, AZ, music directing the latest Mesa Community College musical theatre production, or performing with Canto Vivo Chorale as an alto and occasional soloist. She will be playing the role of Judy Bernly in Mesa Encore Theatre's production of 9 to 5, running from May 19-June 4.

Leia's goal in life is to bring joy and encouragement to all those who wish to learn how to sing, and to those who hear her perform.

Voice Type: Soprano

Music Styles Taught: Pop; Opera; Jazz; Folk; Gospel; Rock; Classical; Musical Theatre

Availability: I am available as a performer; I have a wait-list for private lessons; I am available as a clinician or presenter; I accept students through a college or university program

Contact Information