Schreiner offers a full spectrum of instruction for singers – those who are new to singing, those with limited experience and those who wish to further their career as a singer.  For beginners, Voice Class starts with the fundamentals of breathing, posture and good vocal production, as well as music theory, the mechanics of music.  Non-music majors or those students majoring in other areas of music can take intermediate half-hour private lessons, where repertoire includes songs in foreign languages and performance opportunities in monthly departmental recitals.  Students wishing to major in voice have weekly one-hour lessons, where multiple languages and challenging vocal literature are studied. All lessons include a pianist who will accompany students both in lessons and at a regularly scheduled rehearsal once a week.

Applied voice emphasizes the development of good vocal technique and practice habits. Concepts introduced in class or in private lessons are introduced and built upon to guide students in preparing music for performances.  All students are evaluated on their individual progress throughout the semester, so all have the opportunity to succeed at their own pace.

Departmental student recitals are a showcase for all music students, regardless of experience or skill level, to practice the art of performance.  This supportive environment gives all students the chance to share their music with their fellow students and faculty and to learn from other student performers.  All students enrolled in private lessons are required to attend monthly recitals and participate in one or more as a performer.

Students enrolled in lessons work one on one with faculty each week and cover the fundamental aspects of their instrument as well as prepare solo literature that is presented in performance on campus throughout the semester.

LouAnne Smith, voice lsmith@schreiner.edu

LouAnne Smith joined the Schreiner Music Department in Fall 2017. She holds a B.A. in Music Education from Dallas Baptist University and a M.M. in Vocal Performance from Southern Methodist University. A native of Dallas, she began her career as a high school choral director and voice coach, then was a professor of voice and music theory on three campuses of the Dallas County Community College District. As a vocalist, LouAnne was a founding member of the Dallas Symphony Chorus, sang with Dr. Lloyd Pfautsch’s Dallas Civic Chorale, the Dallas Summer Musicals cast and was a member of Dallas Vocal Arts Ensemble, a professional madrigal quintet. She has held several church music positions in Dallas and has taught privately for almost 40 years. LouAnne currently sings with the Hill Country Chorale in Kerrville and maintains a voice studio in Hunt, as well as teaching her students here at Schreiner.

Alexis Korbe, voice akorbe@schreiner.edu

Alexis Korbe is a lyric mezzo soprano, flutist, and collaborative pianist. She is the woodwind instructor at Schreiner University and also teaches classes in beginning voice.  Originally from Hays, Kansas, she holds a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in French from Fort Hays State University. There, she won the Lyle Dilley Outstanding Band Musician Award.  In Wichita, she received a Koch Cultural Trust Grant, the Frances Shelly Fellowship, and the Michael P. Tilford Fellowship.  She held a Graduate Administrative Assistantship as well as a Graduate Staff Assistantship while attending Wichita State University.  Alexis finished a Master of Music in Flute Performance with Dr. Frances Shelly in 2014 as well as a Master of Music in Opera Performance with Dr. Pina Mozzani in 2016.  She accompanied for WSU’s choirs, was a Concerto/Aria Competition Finalist, and played keyboard and flute for numerous shows with several companies.  In 2018, she earned an Artist Diploma in Voice at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. While at UIUC, she was a Graduate Teaching Assistant, earned a Graduate Teaching Certificate, and was rated ‘excellent’ by her students. Alexis also performed as the alto soloist for the Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana’s Gala Recital featuring Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass.  Most recently, she has performed with the Symphony of the Hills as the alto soloist in their 2022 production of Handel’s Messiah and freelanced as an accompanist/vocal coach at Texas State University and the surrounding area.  Alexis also performs as a substitute flute and piccolo player with the Symphony of the Hills.

Some of Alexis’s favorite roles have been Prince Orlovsky in Strauss’s Die Fledermaus, Miss Effie Belle Tate in Floyd’s Cold Sassy Tree, and the Witch in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel.  As a skilled accompanist, Alexis has enjoyed performing for multiple stage productions including You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Chicago, The Music Man, and many others.

In her spare time, Alexis enjoys cooking and baking, video gaming, and playing with her adorable pets.