Brenda Jo Smith

About

Dr. Brenda Jo Smith is an Associate Professor of Voice at the University of Florida School of Music, specializing in studio voice instruction, vocal pedagogy, and voice science. A lyric soprano with a distinguished career spanning over two decades, Dr. Smith is internationally recognized for promoting lifelong singing through proper vocal care and technique. She joined the UF faculty in 2001 and has established herself as a leading voice pedagogy expert. Dr. Smith was honored by the Voice Foundation and the National Association of Teachers of Singing as the recipient of the prestigious Van Lawrence Award in recognition of her demonstrated excellence in teaching of singing and her active interest in voice science and vocal pedagogy. She serves as G. Paul Moore lecturer and is featured on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Voice, the official publication of the Voice Foundation, as well as a Consulting Editor on Singing Voice Issues for Plural Publishing. Dr. Smith has authored several influential textbooks including Diction in Context: Singing in English, Italian, German and French (Plural, 2020) and Class Voice: Fundamental Skills for Lifelong Singing (Plural, 2021), co-authored with Professor Emeritus Ronald Burrichter. She directs the Sing for Life program, offering specialized singing voice strategies to Parkinson’s patients and their caregivers, demonstrating her commitment to applied voice science and community service.

Education & Qualifications

Doctor of Musical Arts, Voice; Master of Music, Westminster Choir College; Bachelor of Music, University of Evansville; Additional study in music at institutions in Germany

Teaching Styles