The Educator
Dr. Ellen Denham is a dedicated voice teacher and director at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, where she helps students develop vocal skills and theatrical expression. She has taught at Georgia College, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Earlham College, shaping her belief in a personalized, collaborative approach to teaching. Her students have gone on to perform with organizations like Indianapolis Opera and Footlite Musicals, and pursue further education at institutions such as NYU, Ball State, and DePauw.
“Thank you for being patient with me. This was my hardest class in the sense that I actually had to work a little at it every day…thank you for pushing me and motivating me. My mom hears recordings of me sing and she doesn’t recognize it now (probably because I sound way better).”
Dr. Denham believes that music education is about more than just vocal technique—it’s about nurturing the whole individual. She encourages students to see music as part of a larger cultural, historical, and scientific context. In voice lessons, she takes a collaborative approach, working with each student to eliminate tension, support sound with breath, and experiment with different techniques. While classical repertoire is foundational, she also introduces students to jazz and musical theatre, depending on their interests.
A key belief of Dr. Denham’s is that singing is about communication. She ensures that students have ample opportunities to perform and encourages improvisation and character analysis from the very beginning. By selecting repertoire that aligns with her students' growing voices, she challenges them to push their boundaries in ways that complement their individual journey.
“She is invested in teaching and trying to help my voice grow technically and musically. She tries different exercises to guide a technique until it makes sense.”
Dr. Denham’s ultimate goal is to develop intelligent, versatile artists who not only excel technically but also use their talents to inspire and create positive change in the world.
“You are a wonderful and interesting woman who is passionate about this material and I appreciate that very much.”
