Joseph Spann

About

Dr. Joseph S. Spann is a Lecturer in Applied Voice at SUNY Buffalo State University, where he has served on the faculty since 2011. A native of Westfield, New York, Dr. Spann earned his bachelor of music in vocal performance from SUNY Fredonia, a master's in music from the Hartt School of Music, and a doctor of musical arts in vocal performance and pedagogy from the University of Iowa. He has extensive teaching experience, having previously taught at the University of Iowa, California State University at Chico, Florida Southern College, and the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he instructed voice, opera, vocal pedagogy, vocal literature, French diction, vocal techniques, and graduate-level courses. Dr. Spann is also an experienced stage director of opera and musical theater, having served as director of opera theater at both CSU-Chico and Florida Southern College. In 2022 and 2023, he served as Stage Director for Buffalo Opera Unlimited Productions of Verdi's Un Ballo in Maschera and Menotti's The Medium & The Telephone to critical acclaim. His teaching integrates comprehensive vocal technique with dramatic interpretation, drawing on his extensive experience as both a performer and director. Students benefit from his expertise across multiple aspects of vocal performance, from technical foundations to advanced repertoire and stagecraft.

Education & Qualifications

DMA in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy - University of Iowa; MM in Music - Hartt School of Music; BM in Vocal Performance - SUNY Fredonia

Teaching Styles