The SPU Vocal Studies program is designed to prepare students for careers in performance, vocal education, musical theater, and music ministry.  We also strive to be a resource on all aspects of vocal education for the larger SPU student community. 

The voice faculty features outstanding teachers and performers. All are active in the region as professional soloists and adjudicators.

For specifics on the degree program, please visit the Music Performance emphasis in the Degree Programs section of this website.

Courses and recitals are offered to assist the development and training of vocal artists. Please see Course Descriptions for further information. These courses include:

• Voice Class - MUS 1260
• Individual Instruction - MUS 2219/4219
• The Singer's Art I - MUS 2260
• The Singer's Art II - MUS 2261
• Opera Workshop - MUS 2360/4360
• Sacred Vocal Repertoire - MUS 4261
• Vocal Pedagogy - MUS 4262
• The Song of The Church - MUS 44
• Recital - (Junior - 1/2 hour; Senior - 1 hour)

Lessons

Individual instruction is available by audition to all SPU students, regardless of their major, who are involved in a large music ensemble or theater.  Beginning singers may be encouraged to take Beginning Voice MUS 1260 prior to acceptance into private lessons.  Placement in lessons or MUS 1260 is by audition at the beginning of fall quarter or by appointment with Dr. Cherie Hughes, Head of Voice.  All students enrolled in lessons are required to perform a jury for the faculty twice a year. 

Auditions

Auditions for current students interested in private lessons will be held during the first week of the fall quarter.  Students are encouraged to prepared a song from the classical repertoire.  Folk songs or hymns may also be used if a classical selection is not possible.  A pianist will be provided.  A sign-up sheet with audition times will be available on the lower level of Crawford the week prior to the start of classes. 

Auditions for music scholarships are held in January and February. Please check the scholarship page for specific details and audition schedule.

Cherie Hughes, Head of Voice

Cherie Hughes, received her B.A. from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York; her M.M. from Texas Tech University, and her D.M.A from the University of Oregon.  Her teachers and mentors have included Dale Moore at Indiana University, Ann Tedards at the University of Oregon, Neva Pilgram at Colgate University; and coaches Howard Watkins of the Metropolitan Opera and Craig Ketter of New York City.  Her recent operatic roles include Musetta in Puccini’s LA BOHÈME, Gretel in Humperdinck’s HANSEL AND GRETEL, Pamina in Mozart’s DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE, Susanna in Mozart’s LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, the title role in Massenet’s MANON, and Rosina in Rossini’s IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA. 

An accomplished chamber musician, Dr. Hughes is a member of the Pacific Duo.  Along with guitarist Roberto Limón, their engagements have included a concert tour sponsored by the Mexican government’s Coordinación Nacional de Música y Ópera to Mexico City, Guanajuato, and Salamanca; appearances at the XI Festival de Guitarra Internacional del Noreste in Saltillo, Mexico and the 2005 Chenango Summer MusicFest in Hamilton, NY; and concerts sponsored by the Orquesta de Baja California in Tijuana, Mexico.  Recently, the duo was selected for a residency in the 2008 Jack Straw Artist Support Program.  In addition to her work abroad, Dr. Hughes is a familiar presence to northwest audiences; performing solo concerts for the WA State Governor’s Mansion, the NW Chopin Foundation, Town Hall Seattle, the Celebrate Song Series in Portland OR, and appearances with the Port Angeles Symphony, Kitsap Opera, and the Tacoma Concert Band.

Cathy Haight       Bio coming soon.

Jacinta McLachlan-Koreski       Jacinta McLachlan-Koreski has performed throughout the US and Europe in musical theatre and opera. She was a soloist with the St. Moritz Choral Festival under the direction of Karl Richter. "Jackie" is an active participant in the Seattle Opera Program, 5th Avenue Theater Company, Tacoma Opera, Seattle Civic Light Opera, and Seattle’Äôs Northwest Opera in the Schools program. She has recorded over a dozen movie soundtracks and does voice-over work for such companies as "IMAX", Sierra on-Line, Sega, Fox TV, and Voice Works. Jackie performs and records with "Nova Caledonia," a group that performs classical arrangements of Celtic music. At SPU, Jackie teaches private voice, class voice, opera workshop, musical theatre and cabaret. She also maintains a private studio of working professionals, intermediate, and beginning vocalists. Jackie is a regular adjudicator and clinician for Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), Music Educators National Conference (MENC), National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), and the 5th Avenue Theater Company’Äôs Search for the Stars. Jackie lives in Seattle with her husband and three children and attends St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, where she is the resident soloist, cantor and assistant choral activities director.

Julie Kae Sigars    Julie Kae Sigars has been seen and heard in opera,operetta, musicals, oratorio, recitals, galas, solo orchestra appearances, pop concerts, cabaret suppers clubs, and commercials. She as appeared in numerous roles with the Tacoma Opera and Everett Opera. With NOISE (Northwest Opera in Schools, Etc.) she has toured Western Washington elementary schools in condensed version of well-known operas. Julie Kae has sung with Seattle Opera’Äôs touring educational program. Other appearances include engagements with the Bellevue Philharmonic, Cascade Symphony, Seattle Bach Choir, Philharmonia Northwest, and the Everett Chorale. A native Texan, she has music degrees from the University of North Texas and Northern Arizona University, and a Masters of Divinity from Seattle University's School of Theology and Ministry. Julie Kae and her husband, Chuck, a local writer, have two children and a sheltie. At SPU, Julie Kae teaches voice, class voice and general education courses.