About Denice Bennett

Biography:

Denice is from Hazelton, B.C. and has a vast array of experiences associated with logging camps: the wilderness mixed with music-filled evenings make up her early years. This unique background prompted concentrated studies in Ethnomusicolgy under Dr. Regula Qureshi at the University of Alberta. World Music continues to be a strong focus in teaching and performing.

At age 17, Denice began studying Classical Voice and Conducting with Dr. Wendolin Munroe at Burman University. Vocal Performance formal studies with Professor Harold Wiens at the University of Alberta began in 1987, where
she sang many lead Operatic roles and solo performances. Conducting studies continued with Dr. Leonard Ratzlaff. Through special permission from the University of Alberta, she studied Vocal Pedagogy for two years, one on one, with Dr. Alan Ord, followed by Pedagogical Studies at the Doctoral Level at St. John’s University in Minnesota, arranged by Dr. Ratzlaff and paid for by the University of Alberta. Denice Graduated at the top of her Class with the highest possible Academic Marks. She has been singing publicly for over 30 years winning many first place awards and honours while travelling to increase her education and is currently pursuing Doctoral Studies as well as performing regularly. Her recording prompted invitations from McGill, Eastman, Juilliard, and the University of British Columbia as a guest Artist. Her recording of The “Vier Letzte Lieder,” by Richard Strauss, has been used by permission in Vocal Programs in several major American Universities. While performing the most challenging Soprano Repertoire with acclaim, she was offered a scholarship for a doctorate in Vocal Performance in another Province. Denice chose to pursue her true passion for teaching instead and concentrated her studies accordingly as teaching Voice is a completely separate discipline. Her studies continue to be in the field of Vocal Pedagogy.
Denice has taught for 21 years including launching a Vocal School in Edson, Alberta, on Faculty at the University of Alberta teaching Voice and Vocal Pedagogy at the request of Dr. Ratzlaff, and developing a bustling private Studio. She was Research Assistant to Professor Wiens in a study of Parkinson's disease and singing, funded by the University of Alberta. She maintained a full Studio at Alberta College and Grant MacEwan University. Denice currently offers instruction in South Edmonton at Artem College, as well as at a Private Studio in the Northeast. Her students consistently go on to successful teaching and performing careers around the world and placement at the best Universities outside Alberta, often entering ahead of their class. All student comments have exuded the highest praise for Denice’s teaching methods.
Denice is qualified to teach all ages and levels of singers, from beginners to aspiring professionals. She teaches Voice, Vocal Pedagogy, Diction and Vocal Literature to a wide range of students and a number of Music Teachers. She is known as “The Teacher’s Teacher.” Students also enjoy her lively and enlightening Music History and Music Appreciation Classes. It is a Classical Voice Studio but Student Recitals have themes from Broadway, Anglo-Celtic Repertoire, Folksongs, Schubertiades, and of course Art Song and Opera. She specializes in building and repairing Vocal Instruments through proper technique and good vocal health.

“If you can speak, you can sing. Everyone can improve from where their starting point is. Studio Lessons and Recitals are a safe, encouraging space to experiment and grow. There is no place for elitism in a proper learning environment. Students only compete with themselves, not with each other. Each student is challenged but not overwhelmed. Solid foundational tools for healthy singing are taught in a fun, non threatening environment. Students often say their lessons have been life changing and are the highlight of their week. I know teaching was the right choice when words like that are offered.”
- Denice Bennett

“...The woods would be a very silent place if no birds sang except the best.”
-Henry van Dyke, poet (1852-1933)

M.Mus.
Member; VoiceCare Network, Minnesota, Alberta Registered Music Teachers’ Association, National Association of Teachers of Singing