Ellen Denham

Teaching Information

Ellen Denham teaches studio voice at Earlham College, Broad Ripple High School and Fairview Studios. Fairview is located in Fairview Presbyterian Church on the north side of Indianapolis close to Butler University.

Ms. Denham has been teaching voice since 1991 when she received her M.M. in vocal performance from New England Conservatory of Music, and since 1995 in the Indianapolis area. She accepts students from ages ten to adult at beginning through advanced levels. Her students have appeared as soloists in school and community choirs and in musical theater productions. She is a full member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS).

Students receive training in classical technique which can be applied to other styles of singing. Instruction is tailored to the individual needs of the student. For instance, beginning students may need more work on matching pitches and elementary music reading, and advanced students may be able to work on demanding classical and musical theater repertoire. Lessons begin with vocalizing and exercises designed to develop good posture, breathing, placement, diction, and overall technique. Students then work on repertoire which can include pieces for specific auditions, contests, recitals, or public performances. Advanced students may work on repertoire in Italian, German, and French. Students receive dramatic and interpretive coaching for musical theatre and operatic auditions and performances. All students have the opportunity to perform in at least one recital per year.

For more information on voice lessons, available times, and rates, you may email Ellen Denham at edenham@ameritech.net, or call Fairview Studios at 317/253-5982.

Voice students

Students from a voice recital on April 29, 2001. Front row: Sara Eddy, Maria Granato, and Christine Kliman. Back row: Melissa Dowden, Carolyn Walker, Brian Frazier, Valerie Haywood, and Ellen Denham.

Useful links for voice students

Indianapolis Organizations | General Singing/Music Links

Disclaimer: Some of this information may be out of date. All facts are stated to the best of my knowledge with assistance from the Arts Council of Indianapolis Arts Organization Directory. All opinions stated are mine. For the official word on each of these organizations, please visit their web pages. -- Ellen Denham

Indianapolis area music and musical theater organizations

Cathedral Concerts at Christ Church Cathedral presents an annual concert series of sacred choral music masterworks by the Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys, the Cathedral Girls' Choir, the Indianapolis Festival Singers, and the Indianapolis Festival Orchestra. All choirs are open to singers of the appropriate age and gender by audition. Festival Singers membership is limited to professionals with extensive choral experience. Ellen Denham has appeared as a soloist on several occasions with the Indianapolis Festival Singers and Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra. Ms. Denham's students have appeared with the Indianapolis Festival Singers and Christ Church Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys.

Indianapolis Children's Choir consists of twelve choirs for children at different levels from grades four through 12. ICC is a top notch organization and a great place for young singers to develop good musicianship. Several of Ms. Denham's voice students sing in ICC or are "alumni".

Indianapolis Opera is the professional opera company of Indianapolis utilizing soloists with national and international careers. Ellen has sung regularly with the Indianapolis Opera Chorus and the Indianapolis Opera Ensemble, the touring company. Chorus auditions for experienced singers are in May. Her students have also appeared in the Opera Chorus.

Indianapolis Symphonic Choir presents choral music with orchestra. Membership is open by audition and is suitable for adult amateur singers who have good music reading skills and choral experience.

Cantabile! is a professional mixed chorus of 20 singers in Indianapolis specializing in a variety of styles and literature.

Indianpolis Arts Chorale is an auditioned group of about 50 singers which presents an innovative concert series.

Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is Indianapolis' major orchestra presenting over 200 concerts annually. Repertoire includes classical, pops, family and holiday, and educational concerts. In 1998 and 1999, Ellen Denham was a singer and dancer for the annual Yuletide Celebration.

American Cabaret Theatre is a professional theatre presenting origianal musical revues and broadway shows. Auditions are limited to professional performers.

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre is a professional dinner theatre located on the north side of Indianapolis. Auditions are limited to professional performers.

Footlite Musicals is an all-volunteer community theatre focusing on musicals and revues. Several of Ellen Denham's students have appeared in Footlite productions.

Indianapolis Civic Theatre is a community theatre which dates back to 1914. Productions include musicals to classic and contemporary drama. Junior Civic offers a performing arts training program for children. Several of Ellen Denham's students have performed with Civic Theatre.

General Music/Singing Resources

Classical Singer magazine is a valuable resource for the working or aspiring singer, with articles and information on all aspects of life as a singer.

The Singing Voice provides information on singing which may be useful to the voice teacher or student, including information and links on pedagogy, history, and vocal health.

The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) is the largest worldwide membership organization of voice teachers. Use this regions link to find out about NATS events in Indiana, under the Great Lakes Region. NATS also has a good collection of other links related to singing.

The Aria Database is a work in progress, but provides texts and translations for opera arias as well as a collection of other useful opera links.

Opera Glass Links to all kinds of opera information including directories of companies, performers, and information about individual operas including synopses and libretti.

Good Ear provides free, online ear training programs.

Worldwide Internet Music Resources, provided by Indiana University, has a comprehensive collection of links including a long list of pages providing information about specific composers.

Classical Net Home Page Dave Lampson's classical music page. A good place to begin if you want to know more about classical music.

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