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.

Mackenzie Powell MLPowell@schreiner.edu

Mackenzie Powell is a soubrette soprano in Central Texas who is sought after for her teaching, performing and research.
Originally from Houston, Texas, Mackenzie received her bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Texas State University where she studied with Cheryl Parrish and her master’s in Vocal Pedagogy and Performance from The University of Texas in San Antonio where she studied with Dr. Catherine Nix and John Nix.

Mackenzie is an Adjunct Professor of Voice at Schreiner University and has a thriving private voice studio based in San Marcos, Texas. She is highly regarded for her versatility as a teacher, and is successful teaching across many genres and skill levels. Many of her students have placed in the Texas All State Choirs, earned the Outstanding Performer award at State Solo and Ensemble, placed in NATS competitions, and been nominated for best performer in the Heller Awards for Young Artists for High School Musical Theatre. She has also been part of a Heller-Nominated music direction team for the past four years with the San Marcos High School Musical Theatre department for their productions of The Little Mermaid, Into the Woods, Mean Girls, and The Music Man.

Mackenzie is an active performer throughout Central Texas as a soloist and professional chorister. Most recently, she has been a soprano soloist for the Purgatory Creek Chorale Masterworks Chorus in their performances of the Haydn Lord Nelson Mass, Fauré Requiem, and Vivaldi Gloria. She has also collaborated with the Conspirare Symphonic Choir, Les Ancients, SMART Orchestra, and appeared as a soloist for the Region 12 Honor Choir and the Austin Children’s Choir. She has appeared in opera productions including Street Scene, Hansel and Gretel, Angelique, Don Giovanni, and Suor Angelica during her time in college.

Mackenzie has been recognized for her voice research, and has co-authored articles with John Nix (UTSA), that have appeared in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (“Listener Ratings of Singer Expressivity in Musical Performance”) and The Journal of Voice (“Social and Stylistic Correlates of Vocal Fry in a cappella Performances”).  In the summer of 2016, Mackenzie and John were interviewed on NPR’s Science Friday about their research on perceptions of vocal fry.

Mackenzie also serves as a board member for the Purgatory Creek Chorale, a professional choral ensemble based in San Marcos. She is involved with the organization’s team as jack-of-all-trades organizers, but is officially the secretary. The Purgatory Creek Chorale has grown immensely since it was officially formed in 2023 and has given an outlet for performance to hundreds of singers in San Marcos and the surrounding areas.