Teaching & Seminars

Cherry Duke on the campus of The University of Texas at El Paso. Photo by Annabella Mireles.

​In 2015, Cherry Duke joined the faculty of the University of Texas at El Paso, where she teaches applied voice and is the Director of Opera UTEP. Additionally, she teaches private voice lessons in El Paso and consults on personal marketing and career building for performing artists. She is also available for master classes and arts marketing/music business seminars nationwide.

Cherry’s focus in voice lessons is on healthy vocal production and freedom of expression, regardless of style. Emphasis is on physical alignment and balancing vocal registers, using principles of the Swedish-Italian school of singing, voice science, Alexander Technique, and yoga. Awareness of body and mind (thoughts) is strengthened.  Cherry teaches with kindness, empathy, and positive affirmation. Her pedagogical mentors and influences include Judith Natalucci, David L. Jones, and Joan Wall.

TEACHING AWARDS

Cherry Duke received the 2022 Dr. Ann Horak and Charles Horak III Teaching Excellence Endowment Award from the UTEP College of Liberal Arts and a 2023 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award from The University of Texas System.

MEMBERSHIPS

Cherry Duke is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (where her students have won numerous prizes), the National Opera Association, Opera America, Texas Music Educators Association, American Guild of Musical Artists, Actors Equity Association, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity.

For seminar & lesson requests, please contact Cherry via email.

Master Classes:

• University of Delaware, April 2021
• CS Music Online Convention, May 2020
• El Paso Community College, March 2019
• Northeastern State University, February 2017
• Converse College, March 2016
• Salisbury University, September 2014
• University of Texas at El Paso, September 2014
• University of Alabama, April 2014
• Salisbury University, November 2013
• Bay View Music Festival, Summer 2013
• Bethany College, March 2013
• Indiana Wesleyan University, February 2013

Performing Arts Business Seminars

Available through YourType Arts Partners

Topics include:

• Crafting Your Career: Essential Business Skills for Performing Artists
• A Freelancer’s Life
• The Essence of Self-Promotion
• Web Sites for Performing Artists

Seminar CLIENTS

• St. Olaf College
• Northeastern State University
• Bay View Music Festival
• Converse College
• University of Iowa
• University of Virginia
• University of Alabama
• Texas Tech University
• Lehigh University
• University of Texas at El Paso
• Salisbury University

For more information on Performing Arts Business Seminars, click here.