Briana Sosenheimer

Congratulations to Briana Sosenheimer, the 2025 recipient of the NATS Voice Pedagogy Award. The $500 prize is awarded each year to a NATS member to support their attendance at a seminar or workshop on voice pedagogy and/or voice science.

Sosenheimer plans to use her award money toward the Summer Vocology Institute at the University of Utah this June and July.

“We’re delighted to present the 2025 NATS Voice Pedagogy Award to Briana Sosenheimer to support her studies at the Summer Vocology Institute,” said NATS President Alexis Davis-Hazell. “Each year we have many terrific applicants and so many deserving members. With only one award available annually, we hope to grow the endowment that funds it so more teachers can benefit in the future.”

Sosenheimer was thrilled to receive the award.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to attend SVI this summer and how honored I am to be the recipient of this award, especially considering the distinguished individuals who have received it before me,” she said.

Sosenheimer explained she is motivated to take these courses to become a better voice teacher both in lessons and the classroom.

“Participating in the Summer Vocology Institute will help me gain an in-depth understanding of anatomy and physiology as well as greater knowledge of technology for voice analysis, motor learning theory, and voice therapy,” Sosenheimer said. “I am eager to expand my skills to help any professional voice user accomplish their goals in a healthy way.”

Sosenheimer also plans to expand her involvement in the voice science community through professional organizations, research collaborations, and presentation opportunities, such as the NATS national conferences. Farther out, her goals include starting a voice lab and adding more voice pedagogy curriculum at her institution, Centenary College of Louisiana.

In her application, Sosenheimer shared her goals to keep growing professionally.

“I am always looking for the ‘next step’ in how to grow as a teacher and singer,” she said. “I fell in love with teaching vocal pedagogy and am ready to take the leap into a new challenge that will stretch me beyond my comfort zone.”

Sosenheimer emphasized that she’s “truly grateful to NATS” as well as everyone who has generously given their time and support to make this award possible.

“My heartfelt appreciation also goes to Dr. Allen Henderson, Executive Director of NATS, Dr. Claire Vangelisti, Southern Region Governor of NATS, Dr. Karuna Dewan and Sarah Quintana, Ark-LA-Tex Center for Voice, Airway & Swallowing, and Dr. Cory Wikan and the Hurley School of Music, Centenary College of Louisiana,” she added.

Congratulations, Briana!

About Briana Sosenheimer

Dr. Briana Sosenheimer has directed and assistant directed more than 30 different productions with Indianapolis Opera, Pittsburgh Festival Opera, Chicago Summer Opera, Ball State University, Anderson University, Indiana Wesleyan University, and Georgia Southern University. Her comedic staging has been praised by the PA Theater Guide as “pure fun.” With a passion for opera outreach, she has pastiche-composed four operas for children which have been performed across the country.

As a soprano, she has sung internationally in Austria, Canada, Italy, South Africa, and throughout the United States. This includes performing principal roles in productions of Le nozze di Figaro, La Boheme, Werther, and Carmen. She also has appeared as a soloist in oratorios including Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Requiem, and Coronation Mass. As a recitalist, Sosenheimer enjoys delving into contemporary works and late German lieder.

Sosenheimer graduated from Hope College with a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance and a minor in dance. She holds a master’s degree in vocal performance from Bowling Green State University and a doctorate in vocal performance and stage direction from Ball State University. She has completed Levels I-III of Somatic Voicework™ - The LoVetri Method for vocal training in contemporary commercial music and recently completed the course “Training Young Voices” at the CCM Vocal Pedagogy Institute of Shenandoah Conservatory. She currently serves as assistant professor of music, coordinator of the voice area, and director of Opera Centenary at Centenary College of Louisiana where she teaches courses in vocal pedagogy, music literature, opera, and voice lessons.

Learn more about the NATS Voice Pedagogy Award and view the list of past award recipients. The annual application deadline is February 15 of the year in which the proposed seminar will take place.

For those interested in supporting the NATS Voice Pedagogy Award with a gift, please contact Development Director Jen Jimenez at jen@nats.org or call (904) 586-3395.