Teaching voice requires solid pedagogy plus heart-and-soul efforts in working with students, transforming their singing skills, and offering them the performance experiences to assist them in building their music careers. The process deals with the development of vocal techniques—how to calibrate them for individual vocal conditions. I believe that the most important aspect of teaching voice is to build trustful relationships with students and support them in understanding the art of vocal music and mastering the skills required for both live and virtual performances, which need passion, dedication, and wit to set learning expectations higher than what students think they can attain. One of the great satisfactions of my teaching is to watch students develop and grow, becoming experts in vocal music on their professional journeys.

         Wen Zhang, 09/2020

As a Voice Professor...

• Dr. Mona Lisa Saloy, Dillard University professor writes: “I had a pleasure of taking a course with her…we learned how to read music notation—a life-long dream of mine! More than that, we learned how to breathe, how not to ruin our voices, and how to extend our musical range. In one semester, students and I literally jumped out of our comfort zones and into performing songs from the musical stage. What a challenge, what a thrill, and what an opportunity! ” 

• Prof. Yu Danhong, Dean of the Music Education at Shanghai Conservatory of Music in China writes: “Regard to Dr. Zhang’s teaching at the Music Education Dept, she always appeared with well-prepared course syllabi and class plans that were carefully designed for our students, leading them to the interesting works and fresh ideas in the study and research of music education.”

• Prof. Zhou Jie, Voice professor at Nanjing University of Arts in China writes: “Dr. Zhang holds a high reputation in our music school as one of the most welcome visiting professors in recent years. She has become a successful role-model to voice students here, and we truly appreciate what she has done to bring new knowledge of vocal music to the students and faculties at Nanjing University of Arts.”

• Prof. John Pult, Dillard University professor writes: “To witness a student who had trouble with writing in one of my classes, confidently sing Opera and Art Song in four languages over the course of a lunch hour is one of the greatest pleasures I have had at Dillard, and a testament to Dr. Zhang’s experience and expertise. I know many of her students, past and present, and they always speak of her with great fondness and respect.”

• Prof. Carolyn Wistrand, Dillard University professor writes: “Dr. Zhang’s voice students enthralled the audience at Trinity Church in New Orleans with their masterful Vocal Performances. The skills that Dr. Zhang develops in her students manifest clear professional growth. She takes the time to work with each Voice Major individually and challenges them to increase their scholarship and creative work.”

• Prof. Raymond Vrazel, Dillard University Theater professor writes: “Dr. Zhang has been a staunch supporter of the Theater Program. She has faithfully attended almost all the theater productions… In addition, she had answered the need of vocal instruction that is so necessary for actors to acquire, by now offering the vocal training for our theater performance majors.”

• Prof. Keith Morris, Dillard University film professor writes: “Wen wants all of her students to get top grades in all of their classes. From my office, I frequently hear her connecting with others about academics, and most importantly, encouraging them.”

• Mr. Reid Poole, Dillard University music instructor writes: “Dr. Zhang’s interactions with students is that she has the incredible availability and capability to answer students and faculties’ questions, always providing just the right amount of information yet allowing students and faculties to have some creative independence.”

• Dr. Rona Tyger, Director of Department of Academic Technology and Distance Education writes: “Dr. Zhang has been an important member of the Distance Education for Authentic Learning (DEAL) team… In her work with DEAL, Dr. Zhang developed the capability for technology-enhanced and alternative course delivery options for the Music Department at Dillard University by first taking the Canvas Onboarding and Academic Technology Basics mini course and then the Applying the Quality Matters Rubric (APPQMR) certification course offered through the Quality Matters organization. Dr. Zhang then proceeded to identify and adopt open educational resources (OER) for Vocal Literature.”

As a Musician...

• Ms. Wistrand, a professor at Dillard University writes: “As a performing artist, Wen has enthralled students, faculty, and the community with her solo performances as a mezzo-soprano and as director of the New Orleans Chinese Choir.”

• Mr. Albinos, the Director of Trinity Artist Series writes: “Dr. Zhang is very professional and her natural humility makes her easy to work with.  She has performed at the Trinity Artist Series in New Orleans on several occasions with distinction and verve. I have also witnessed the same lively attributes when I participated at concerts at Dillard University during which she performed together with her students, Chinese choir, and as mezzo-soprano soloist.”

• Mr. Pult, a professor at Dillard University writes: “Whether hearing a series of brilliant high notes emanating from a classroom while walking down the main hallway in Cook, an informal noontime recital, or on stage at the Dillard’s Lawless Chapel and Trinity Church for Dillard students recitals and concerts, Dr. Zhang’s work is constantly made plain.”

• Dr. You, the president of New Orleans Chinese Choir writes: “Her work on directing the choir showed her commitment to achieving specific goals while making the singing group from amateur to semi-professional level and leading the choir to well serve the local multi-cultural society. As a result, we had our very 1st professional performance in Dec. 2014, singing the Hallelujah Chorus with Dillard choir at the Dillard University Christmas Concert. After that, we participated in several Dillard University music events including the unforgettable performance for the City Christmas Concert Series at St. Louis Cathedral on Nov. 19, 2016.”

• Prof. Saloy, a professor at Dillard University writes: “It was her who invited and performed with the Chinese Choir at our Annual Christmas Concert for at least two years. What a great Christmas gift to us!”[ZW1] 

• The Xin Gua Chinese News in New York city writes: "Wen Zhang made a shining moment in the Mid‐Autumn Concert. She sounded and looked equally beautiful while singing her solo Habanera from Carmen." 

• Daily Freeman, Kingston, NY writes: "Wen Zhang’s Suzuki, serving maid and soul sister to Butterfly, sustains a mezzo of sheer bronze as her suffers a Cassandra’s foreknowledge of her Lady’s doom.”

• The News-Times, Danbury CT writes: "It was Wen Zhang, who stood out as Suzuki; singing without forcing, genuinely Oriental, always in character."                              

• Townsman, Highmount, NY writes: "Wen Zhang as Suzuki brought both voice and acting ability to her role as the hapless servant who has to bring all kinds of bad news to her mistress."

• The Star-Ledger, South Orange, NJ writes: "One of other solid vocal contributions is mezzo-soprano Wen Zhang, who made a charming Cherubino."

• Newsday, Long Island, NY writes: "Then there’s the haunting “Something Wonderful,” delivered with grace and lustrous timber by Wen Zhang as Lady Thiang, the most senior of the King’s many wives.”     

• The Sourthampton Press, NY writes: "Wen Zhang makes a proper Lady Thiang, the oldest of the kind’s multiple wives, and her rendition of “Something Wonderful” is something to treasure."

• The Record, Kitchener, Ont. Canada writes: "Of special note is the neck-tingling rendition of “Something Wonderful” delivered by Wen Zhang in the role of Lady Thiang."