Shelley Cooper

Shelley Cooper is an enthusiastic Voice Instructor, Stage Director and Actor specializing in Musical Theatre. As an Actor, Shelley has performed, taught, and directed all over the world for a number of companies such as Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Orlando Repertory Theatre, Shawnee Summer Theatre, Redhouse Arts Center, Bangkok Theatre Festival, and the Venetian Macao. Most noted performances are “Johanna" in Sweeney Todd starring Tony-Award Winning Actress, Faith Prince, “Nellie” in South Pacific, “Cinderella” in Into the Woods, “Helena” in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and “Ariel” in The Little Mermaid. Her one-woman show, La Divina: The Last Interview of Maria Callas has been performed on three continents. As a stage director, favorite productions include Company, Moment by Moment: A New Song Cycle by Alexander Sage Oyen (Asian Premiere), The Light in the Piazza, The Last Five Years, and The Drowsy Chaperone. As a voice instructor, Shelley has students working all over the world including the Broadway production of Holiday Inn, NBC’s Hairspray Live, national tours of Rock of Ages, Beauty and the Beast, and the West End Revival of Miss Saigon.

MASTERCLASS OVERVIEW

Shelley Cooper would like to present a practical Masterclass on singing for Musical Theatre using the work of voice and speech specialist, Arthur Lessac called “There’s Truth in Singing”. Lessac voice and speech work integrates oral, physical, visual, and written tools in a clear, energized way and promotes a physical awareness of sound by appealing to the kinesthetic learner. The basis of the Masterclass is that in the world of Musical Theatre and Opera, it is not acceptable to simply have a pretty voice; you must be able to portray the character you are singing and ground it in reality. If you have emotional intellect to your lyrics, know whom you are singing to, and why you are singing to this person/people, truth in singing can be done with ease. Through a series of physical, breathing, and vocal exercises, inspired greatly by the work of voice and speech specialist Arthur Lessac, participants will unleash their true natural singing voices.

PAST CONFERENCES

Organized by IUGTE in collaboration with "ArtUniverse"