Tracy Davis Davenport
Voice, Piano

Bachelor of Arts, Music, Anderson University

Masters of Music, Musical Theatre, University of Montana

Professional Memberships: National Federation of Music Clubs

Tracy began her own study of voice and piano at a young age and loves to share her knowledge with her students. After begging, her parents enrolled her in private piano lessons at age 7 and then private voice lessons at age 9.

Tracy majored in music at Anderson University with an emphasis in voice and a minor in piano. While at Anderson, Tracy participated in many of the vocal ensembles and opera workshop in which she played the role of “Miss Pinkerton” in Menotti’s opera, The Old Maid and the Thief. After teaching general music for a year in Anderson, Tracy then moved to Missoula, MT to pursue her Master’s degree concentrating on musical theatre.

An avid musical theatre performer, Tracy has appeared in many musical productions. Her favorites include roles in Seussical, Gypsy, The Music Man, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Jesus Christ Superstar, Bye Bye Birdie, Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado, with her most favorite being the role of “Lizzie” in the musical Baby.

While studying at the University of Montana, Tracy won the College Women’s Musical Theatre division at the National Association of Teacher’s of Singing competition both years of her study. A prominent belter, Tracy began to conduct research on the physiological aspects of belting while obtaining her degree, a study she continues to this day. Furthermore, Tracy gave many lectures to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as high school students. In the spring of 2009, Tracy presented her own graduate recital featuring scenes from Little Women, Legally Blonde: The Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Beauty and the Beast, and more.

In 2008, Tracy received her certification in Somatic Voicework™ The LoVetri Method at the Contemporary Commercial Music Vocal Pedagogy Institute at The Shenandoah Conservatory, a method that focuses on teaching and singing Contemporary Commercial Music.  Tracy has had successful voice and piano studios in both Missoula and Anderson. Her students have won superior ratings in festivals and performed in recitals. Tracy believes that no matter what genre of music you sing or play, the basics of music, such as history and theory, are vital to success.

A native of Columbia, SC, Tracy is excited to be close to her family, especially her nephews, again after living in Montana. After getting married in October of 2009, she and her husband moved to the Charlotte area where she teaches musical theatre and acting classes at the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. She is excited to be on faculty at Charlotte Academy of Music!

 

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Rebekah Prain
Voice, Piano, Flute, Early Childhood Music

Bachelor of Science, Music, Vocal Performance  Marantha Baptist Bible College,  Watertown, WI
Professional Memberships: National Federation of Music Clubs

Becky's love for music began very early in life and was encouraged by her parents who enrolled her in private music lessons.  Although not musical themselves, her parents saw her gift and invested in developing her skills.  For 22 years Becky has been a student of music and is now beginning her 9th year of teaching.  Many of Becky's students are active participants in the NFMC Music Festival.

In 2003, Becky graduated with a B.S. in Vocal Performance. During her undergraduate years, Becky studied under Miss Charissa York and Ms. Carlene McMonagle, who served as the State President of the Wisconsin chapter of NATS.  Becky most recently had the privilege of studying under world-renowned opera singer and teacher, Dr. Joan Metelli. While earning her degree, Becky was a member of a touring Madrigal and Handbell choir, where she was often featured as a soprano soloist.  Becky is a member of Opera Carolina and will be performing in the opera, La Boheme, in the upcoming season.

Becky has a gentle way with her students and loves teaching all ages and levels.  In fact, in 2004 Watertown Memorial Hospital contracted Becky to develop and implement a Music Enrichment program for their Adult Day Care.  This facilitated the elderly and those who suffer from strokes and other debilitating health issues.

Becky was married in May of 2008 to her husband Kent, who is a counselor.  In addition to music, Becky enjoys fitness, the outdoors, reading, knitting and organic cooking. 

 

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Kristen M. Johnson
  Voice, Piano

Bachelor of Music, Music Education, Meredith College, Raleigh, NC
Professional Memberships:  National Federation of Music Clubs

Singing has been Kristen’s passion since she was a child growing up in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System.  She always knew she wanted to be a teacher and started taking piano lessons while in high school to prepare to be a chorus teacher. 

Kristen holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from Meredith College where she studied voice under Lisbeth Carter and Dr. Lisa Fredenburgh.  For seven years Kristen taught middle and high school chorus in Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s arts magnet, Northwest School of the Arts.  She also taught piano and musical theatre in her tenure at Northwest and was the musical director for all middle school musicals.  Her students consistently scored superior ratings in sight-reading and performance and were often chosen for North Carolina Honors Chorus, All-State Chorus and All-County Chorus.  Kristen also has much musical theatre experience having taught musical theatre classes at Northwest School of the Arts and directing Annie Jr., The Music Man Jr., The Me Nobody Knows, Cinderella and other productions.

After seven years at Northwest, Kristen decided to stay home with her baby boy but is thrilled to be teaching privately now.  She firmly believes in learning to read music and proper technique for the voice and piano.  She encourages all students to sing in a choir in addition to studying privately.

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Jing Quitain
Voice, Piano

Bachelor of Music, Vocal Performance, University of Santo Tomas
Master of Music, Vocal Performance, Winthrop University

Doctoral Candidate, Vocal Performance, University of South Carolina
Professional Memberships: National Federation of Music Clubs

Jing completed her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music in 2003.  During her time there she was a featured soloist with the UST Symphony Orchestra and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.  Jing was also a member of Vocal Ensemble Philippines, a 6-member vocal group which performs all over the country.  In August of 2003 she performed at the Opera "Lord Takayama Ukon" in Japan.  Upon her graduation she accepted a teaching positon at UST and the Colegio San Agustin in Makati. 

In 2005 Jing came to the US to obtain her Master of Music degree at Winthrop University, and graduated in 2007.  At Winthrop she was a featured soloist in the school's Chorale and performed in the opera Dido and Aeneas and Gianni Schicchi. 

Today Jing is very close to having completed her Doctorate degree in Vocal Performance at the University of South Carolina.  At USC she has performed in the musical The Light in the Piazza as well as the opera Rides to the Sea. Jing also currently serves as Music Director for Faith Presbyterian Church in Indian Land, SC.