|
 A
native of Kansas, Dorothy Barnhart received her degree in music
education from Kansas University and a Master’s Degree in music
education from Wichita State University. She moved to New
Haven, Connecticut in 1979 where she established Barnhart Voice
Studio while studying conducting under Maestro Otto Werner
Mueller during his tenure at Yale University. At the same time
she was director of music at the First United Methodist Church
in Meriden, working with the adult choir, the children’s choir,
a brass ensemble and the hand bell choir. She directed
Wallingford Chorus from 1990 through 1996 and taught voice in
the music department of Choate Rosemary Hall for a number of
years. Ms. Barnhart studied voice with master teachers Madam
Marga Mueller in New Haven and Madam Eva Likova in New York
City.
Ms.
Barnhart was fortunate to sing under Robert Shaw’s direction
during her college years in Kansas. Later in her career she
attended one-week Robert Shaw Choral Workshops held at Carnegie
Hall in New York City. She has participated as a conductor at
the Keene Choral Festival under Dennis Keene, Master Conductor,
held at the Kent School in Kent, CT. Each year she attends the
Connecticut American Choral Directors Association
conference.
In 2004 she attended the National
Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) conference,
“And all the Jazz”, in New Orleans. This past summer she
participated in “Tools for Singing” workshop in Newport, RI,
also presented by NATS. These musical experiences have been
exciting and beneficial to her professional development.
In addition to directing Chorale
Connecticut, Ms. Barnhart teaches voice in her Southington
studio and is director of the hand bell choir at the First
United Methodist Church in Meriden. In 2006 she became the
director of Travelers Choral Club, a non-profit organization
under the umbrella (no pun intended!) of Travelers Insurance of
Hartford. She currently studies singing with professional
soloist and master teacher, Beverly Myers, in New York City.
Yes, Dorothy is
from Kansas. However, after living in Connecticut for almost 30
years, New England has become her second home. She shares her
full, rich life with Hannah Blue, a delightful and energetic
three-year-old standard poodle. |
