Justin Michael DeLong

Style: Pop; Jazz; Folk; Rock; Musical Theatre

Title: Assistant Professor of Music & Commercial Music Program Lead, Tiffin University

Bio:

Justin DeLong (he/him) primarily teaches voice lessons and directs theatre productions for Tiffin University. He holds a master’s degree in Vocal Pedagogy with an emphasis in Contemporary Commercial Music from Shenandoah University, and is a trained vocalist in musical theatre, pop, rock, and other commercial genres. He specializes in contemporary, evidence-based vocal pedagogy, and has also been trained in gender-affirming voice care for trans and non-binary individuals. Justin worked briefly as a recording engineer and then as an actor before becoming a voice teacher, music director, and director. He has extensive experience as an accompanist and music copyist/transcriptionist, and is a commissioned arranger. His arrangements have been performed in a wide variety of venues, including by Broadway stars Laura Benanti and Micaela Diamond at the famed cabaret restaurant 54 Below in New York City. He has also sung with multiple choirs, vocal jazz groups, and a cappella groups. So far, Justin has directed NEXT TO NORMAL, ALMOST, MAINE, and tick, tick…BOOM! for TU. His favorite music directing credits prior to joining the faculty here include GODSPELL with Hornet’s Nest Theatre (MD and conductor), BRIGHT STAR with the Little Theatre of Alexandria (assistant MD), and NEWSIES with The Arlington Players (MD), for which he received a Washington Area Theatre Community Honors award for Outstanding Musical Direction.

Justin believes that the body inherently knows how to produce the sounds a singer wants to make, and that part of the journey is learning to listen to the body instead of anxiety and limiting expectations. Building the strength and resilience of the voice thus becomes more about stripping away unnecessary physical or mental tensions gained over a singer’s lifetime and incorporating one’s innate voice use into singing. His approach is highly individualized and tailored to the needs of each student, and his greatest priority is to create a space where his students feel safe to make mistakes and express their emotions. Vocal exploration requires a willingness to be vulnerable, and he treats the courage and trust of every student with deep respect. He encourages each student to find their own beautiful, unique voice and invites them into greater connection with their own story as they perform. He incorporates emotional awareness in his teaching and coaches his students to make vocal choices that help communicate the story they are telling. He loves coaching performers of all kinds as they find what is authentic for them and allows them to speak (and sing) from their deepest and truest self.

Voice Type: Tenor

Music Styles Taught: Pop; Jazz; Folk; Rock; Musical Theatre

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

Contact Information