Upcoming events
Central Michigan University 2013 Alumni Concert
School of Music Alumni Concert
Join us Thursday, October 1st, 2026 at Staples Family Concert Hall for the School of Music Alumni Concert!
Sponsored by the College of the Arts & Media, we are thrilled to present a program showcasing a variety of choral and instrumental pieces crafted by numerous talented composers. This concert highlights our alumni:
Dr. Lara Brooks, Assistant Professor of Voice at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Dr. Robert D. Brooks, Associated Faculty of Jazz Saxophone at The Ohio State University
Dr. Myles Boothroyd, Assistant Professor of Saxophone at The University of Oklahoma
Dr. Andrew Wheelock, Associate Professor, Director of Jazz Studies, & Percussion Area Coordinator at University of Wyoming
Dr. Kristen Zelenak, Visiting Instructor of Bands at University of North Florida
Guests are welcome to join us in person at Staples Family Concert Hall or via the livestream on the CMU School of Music YouTube Channel (no account necessary).
Date:October 01Time:6:30 PM - 8:00 PMSponsor:School of MusicCollege of the Arts and MediaContact:ChairpersonDr. Robert Lindahllinda1rg@cmich.edu989-774-3281
NATS Winter Workshop 2027
Presenting “Imitation, Assimilation, & Innovation: Approaches to Jazz Performance Practice for the Classical Voice” for the National Association of Teachers of Singing Winter Workshop 2027, in New Orleans, LA with Dr. Robert Brooks.
Michigan Music Conference
Dr. Lara Brooks will be presenting Utilizing the Estill Voice Method for Healthy Vocal Jazz Pedagogy at the 22nd Annual Michigan Music Conference.
Illinois Music Education Conference
Presenting a session at Illinois Music Education Conference 2027 “Finding Your Belt Through Colors” in Peoria, IL. Time / Date TBD
Show People - A Cabaret Celebrating the launch of tams
Join the Theatre and Music Society for our official launch event: a free musical theater cabaret! Featuring a three-piece combo, the cabaret will highlight the talent of CU’s performing arts community.
Performers: Addi Barclay, Jack Bertrand, Lara Brooks, Kari Croop, Paige Greve, and Nolan J. Rice
Directed by Abby Gailey
Music Direction by Justin M. Brauer
Bass: Noah Larson
Drums: Alek Mann
Estill Voiceprint™ Launch Celebration
Celebratory Guest for launch of Estill voice Traning’s new browser-based Estill Voiceprint™ in this two-part, in-person event designed for singers, teachers, clinicians, and voice professionals.
The Special Topics Workshop explores how visual acoustic feedback enhances voice training and treatment when integrated with Estill Voice Training®. The evening continues with a software launch celebration featuring live demonstrations, music, and community connection.
This interactive course examines how real-time visual feedback transforms the way we train, teach, and rehabilitate the voice. Through focused demonstrations and applied discussion, participants will explore how visual acoustic feedback supports learning and clinical insight across key Estill structures and voice qualities.
Ragtime
Champaign Urbana Theatre Company Presents RAGTIME at the Historic Virginia Theatre. Directed by Dawn Harris, Music Director Simon Tiffin, Choreographer Whitney Havice, Stage Manager Emily Goodell and Producer Monica Samii-Porter.
Lara Brooks will be performing the role of Mother.
Click HERE for more information & tickets.
Ragtime
Champaign Urbana Theatre Company Presents RAGTIME at the Historic Virginia Theatre. Directed by Dawn Harris, Music Director Simon Tiffin, Choreographer Whitney Havice, Stage Manager Emily Goodell and Producer Monica Samii-Porter.
Lara Brooks will be performing the role of Mother.
Click HERE for more information & tickets.
Ragtime
Champaign Urbana Theatre Company Presents RAGTIME at the Historic Virginia Theatre. Directed by Dawn Harris, Music Director Simon Tiffin, Choreographer Whitney Havice, Stage Manager Emily Goodell and Producer Monica Samii-Porter.
Lara Brooks will be performing the role of Mother.
Click HERE for more information & tickets.
Ragtime
Champaign Urbana Theatre Company Presents RAGTIME at the Historic Virginia Theatre. Directed by Dawn Harris, Music Director Simon Tiffin, Choreographer Whitney Havice, Stage Manager Emily Goodell and Producer Monica Samii-Porter.
Lara Brooks will be performing the role of Mother.
Click HERE for more information & tickets.
National Association of Teachers of Singing National Conference San Antonio 2026
Presenting “Finding Your Jazz Voice: Cross-Training Classical Singers with Estill Voice Training” at the NATS 59th National Conference in San Antonio, TX .
Illinois Summer Youth Music Musical Theatre
Serve as faculty for the ISYM Musical Theatre Program at the University of Illinois. Musical Theatre is comprised of workshops designed to prepare interested singers and actors for the musical stage. Workshops are provided during the week in movement, choreography, vocal technique and literature, musical and dramatic coaching, stage craft, auditioning and diction.
Sax & Serenade Duo @ The Grosse Ile Musicale
Sax & Serenade Duo will present an afternoon of music for the Grosse Ile Musicale.
MSVMA Musical Theatre All-State Honors Ensemble
Serve as the director for the MSVMA All-State Musical Theatre Honors Ensemble.
Lyric Theatre Opera Scenes
Lyric Theatre's spring Opera Scenes course will present a cross-section of German-language stage works. This event features stories ranging from the fairytale magic of Hänsel und Gretel by Humperdinck, who transformed the classic Grimm Brothers' tale into a whimsical yet dark fairytale opera, to Ariadne auf Naxos by Richard Strauss, with its playful "opera within an opera" premise and delightful chaos. Also by Strauss, students will present selections from Der Rosenkavalier, a bittersweet comedy that reflects on the passage of time and the complexities of love. Finally, the program will include scenes from The Merry Widowby Franz Lehár, a sparkling romantic comedy, and The Abduction from the Seraglio, a lively romantic rescue comedy by Mozart. Dr. Brooks serves as the Stage Director for Hänsel und Gretel.
Sax & Serenade Duo @ The North American saxophone alliance biennial conference
The Sax & Serenade Duo will present Griffin Candey’s Instructions on Not Giving Up, for Tenor Saxophone, Voice, and Piano at The North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference on Saturday, March 14th 2-3 pm EST.
Healthy Belting Workshop: Finding Your Belt Through Colors
Healthy belting Workshop: Finding Your Belt Through Colors, a Clinic and Masterclass hosted by the Marquee Awards in Columbus, Ohio. For more information: https://www.capamarqueeawards.com/workshops-masterclasses/
Illinois Music Education Conference
Presenting a session at Illinois Music Education Conference 2026 “Utilizing the Estill Voice Method for Healthy Vocal Jazz Pedagogy” in Peoria, IL. Time / Date TBD.
Clinician, Jazz Education Network Conference NOLA 2026
Clinician at the Jazz Education Conference 2026 in New Orleans, LA on “Utilizing the Estill Voice Method for Healthy Vocal Jazz Pedagogy”, Saturday, January 10th, 2026 at 2 pm.
Anastasia
Join Lyric Theatre’s production of Anastasia at the Krannert Center for Performing Arts.
https://krannertcenter.com/events/anastasia
Lara Brooks, stage director
Julie Jordan Gunn, music director
Aleksander Teçza, choreographer
Experience the enchanting journey of Anastasia, a captivating musical that transports audiences from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the vibrant streets of 1920s Paris. Anya, a spirited young woman with a mysterious past, embarks on an adventure to uncover her true identity. Joined by a charming con man and lovable ex-aristocrat, she faces challenges and discovers love, courage, and the meaning of home. With a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, this production brings to life the timeless story inspired by the 1997 animated film. Directed by Lara Brooks, choreographed by Aleksander Teçza, and musically directed by Julie Jordan Gunn, Anastasia is a spellbinding tale of self-discovery and hope.
Anastasia
Join Lyric Theatre’s production of Anastasia at the Krannert Center for Performing Arts.
https://krannertcenter.com/events/anastasia
Lara Brooks, stage director
Julie Jordan Gunn, music director
Aleksander Teçza, choreographer
Experience the enchanting journey of Anastasia, a captivating musical that transports audiences from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the vibrant streets of 1920s Paris. Anya, a spirited young woman with a mysterious past, embarks on an adventure to uncover her true identity. Joined by a charming con man and lovable ex-aristocrat, she faces challenges and discovers love, courage, and the meaning of home. With a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, this production brings to life the timeless story inspired by the 1997 animated film. Directed by Lara Brooks, choreographed by Aleksander Teçza, and musically directed by Julie Jordan Gunn, Anastasia is a spellbinding tale of self-discovery and hope.
Anastasia
Join Lyric Theatre’s production of Anastasia at the Krannert Center for Performing Arts.
https://krannertcenter.com/events/anastasia
Lara Brooks, stage director
Julie Jordan Gunn, music director
Aleksander Teçza, choreographer
Experience the enchanting journey of Anastasia, a captivating musical that transports audiences from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the vibrant streets of 1920s Paris. Anya, a spirited young woman with a mysterious past, embarks on an adventure to uncover her true identity. Joined by a charming con man and lovable ex-aristocrat, she faces challenges and discovers love, courage, and the meaning of home. With a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, this production brings to life the timeless story inspired by the 1997 animated film. Directed by Lara Brooks, choreographed by Aleksander Teçza, and musically directed by Julie Jordan Gunn, Anastasia is a spellbinding tale of self-discovery and hope.
Anastasia
Join Lyric Theatre’s production of Anastasia at the Krannert Center for Performing Arts.
https://krannertcenter.com/events/anastasia
Lara Brooks, stage director
Julie Jordan Gunn, music director
Aleksander Teçza, choreographer
Experience the enchanting journey of Anastasia, a captivating musical that transports audiences from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the vibrant streets of 1920s Paris. Anya, a spirited young woman with a mysterious past, embarks on an adventure to uncover her true identity. Joined by a charming con man and lovable ex-aristocrat, she faces challenges and discovers love, courage, and the meaning of home. With a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, this production brings to life the timeless story inspired by the 1997 animated film. Directed by Lara Brooks, choreographed by Aleksander Teçza, and musically directed by Julie Jordan Gunn, Anastasia is a spellbinding tale of self-discovery and hope.
Central Region NATS Conference 2025 Zip Presentation
Central Region NATS Conference Zip Session Presentation on “Creating Pop Magic”.
Central Region NATS Conference 2025 Zip Presentation
Central Region NATS 2025 Conference Zip Session Presentation on “Entertaining Estill?” with Sarah Wigley.
MSVMA Musical Theatre College Audition Workshop
Guest Clinician for MSVMA Musical Theatre College Audition Workshop 2025.
Sax & Serenade Duo @ Artesia Brewing
Sax & Serenade Duo will perform live music of jazz favorites at Artesia Brewing.
12th Estill World Voice Symposium Presenter
Presenting with Dr. Robert Brooks, Jazz Saxophone Professor at The Ohio State University, Applying Estill Voice Training to Saxophone Instruction: Exploring the Impact of Vocal Figures on Tone and Performance with live demonstrations.
12th Estill World Voice Symposium Presenter
Presenting with Sarah Wigley, Associate Professor of Lyric Theatre at the University of Illinois, a lecture on To Onset or to “H”Onset, the use of instructing & testing EVT onsets to first semester Freshman for their vocal juries.
Illinois Summer Youth Music Camps - Musical Theatre
Dr. Lara Brooks will serve on the faculty for the ISYM Musical Theatre Summer Camp.
CUTC’s Kathy Murphy Student Production of “mean girls”
Dr. Lara Brooks will serve as director for Champaign Urbana Theatre Company’s production of Mean Girls" at Parkland's Main Stage Miner Theatre, June 26-29, 2025.
Sax & Serenade Duo @ The Zanesville Art Museum
The Sax & Serenade Duo will perform at the Zanesville Art Museum a free and open to the public recital of works for voice & tenor saxophone.
CARNAVAL! Lyric Theatre @ Illinois
Carnaval! celebrates the end of the holiday season before the introspection of Lent begins, culminating in Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday.” This season, Lyric Theatre @ Illinois will mark the occasion with music and dance from Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean—from opera and zarzuela to bossa nova, musical theatre, jazz, and more. Patrons are invited to bring Mardi Gras masks, dress up, and have some refreshments while enjoying a variety of festivities in the Lobby beginning at 6pm. At 7:30, all will head to the Great Hall for an unforgettable concert. Carnaval! is a dazzling, lively event that will be fun for the whole family!
Beloved Broadway Concert - with Nathan Gunn & Friends featuring the JAM Orchestra
Join Nathan Gunn & Friends featuring the JAM Orchestra singing songs about the Midwest on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 7:30 pm at the Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston, IL