Journal of Singing Contributor

Kathryn Proctor Duax

Kathryn Proctor Duax, mezzo soprano, was a professor of music at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, for 37 years where she served as Coordinator of the Voice and Choral Area. Following her retirement in 2007, she taught for one year at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

A native of Mission, Texas, she holds a BA degree from Austin College, an MFA from the University of Minnesota, and a DMA from the University of Iowa. She studied voice with Bruce Lunkley, Roy A. Schuessler, and Herald I. Stark.

Dr. Proctor Duax has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony, Florentine Opera, Minnesota Bach Society, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Dallas Summer Musicals, Wisconsin Public Radio, Oshkosh Symphony, Chippewa Valley Symphony, Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra, Zeitgeist, and has sung many recitals in the Midwest. She has sung under the direction of Dennis Russell Davies, Robert Shaw, Roger Wagner, Lukas Foss, Daniel Moe, Pierre Hetu, and Moses Hogan.

Her students are successful teachers, music therapists, and performers, including a Metropolitan Opera winner and several international artists in opera and music theater. She has spent many years serving her university and community, performing and arranging countless programs.

Dr. Proctor Duax is a charter member of the Wisconsin State Chapter of NATS, serving in several offices, including chapter president and Wisconsin Governor of NATS. She served as the Regional Governor of the NATS North Central Region from 1998–2002, and as Vice-President of NATS for Outreach from 2002–2006. During her terms on the NATS Board of Directors, she served six years organizing and coordinating the Student NATS (SNATS) program, fostering much growth in its early years. Currently, Dr. Proctor Duax serves on the Eau Claire Area Schools’ Board of Education and is President of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.