Upcoming events
MSVMA Musical Theatre All-State Honors Ensemble
Serve as the director for the MSVMA All-State Musical Theatre Honors Ensemble.
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 .
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/
Sax & Serenade Duo @ The Grosse Ile Musicale
Sax & Serenade Duo will present an afternoon of music for the Grosse Ile Musicale.
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 2025 Conference Zip Session Presentation on “Entertaining Estill?” with Sarah Wigley.
Central Region NATS Conference 2025 Zip Presentation
Central Region NATS Conference Zip Session Presentation on “Creating Pop Magic”.
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
Illinois High School Theatre Festival
Join Dr. Lara Brooks as she leads us for a hands-on workshop to elevate your rock performance skills at the Illinois High School Theatre Festival at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. We'll explore techniques through Onsets and True Vocal Fold Body Covers, with practical exercises for achieving an authentic rock sound. Ideal for high school students and teachers, this session blends interactive learning with expert guidance, prioritizing vocal health in ROCK!
Lyric Theatre Under the Stars
Lyric Theatre @ Illinois invites you to spend an evening Under the Stars in the beautiful Sunken Garden at Allerton Park & Retreat Center listening to a selection of songs, arias, and choruses from the world’s most beloved operas and musical theatre works. Eat and drink with family, friends, and neighbors as the orchestra and singers transport you across time with magical renditions of cherished classics. Patrons may reserve seats at a table for $40 per seat; general admission tickets (lawn seating) are available for $10; a cash bar will also be available. Under the Stars is a one-of-a-kind event that is sure to delight all audiences.
Lyric Theatre Under the Stars
Lyric Theatre @ Illinois invites you to spend an evening Under the Stars in the beautiful Sunken Garden at Allerton Park & Retreat Center listening to a selection of songs, arias, and choruses from the world’s most beloved operas and musical theatre works. Eat and drink with family, friends, and neighbors as the orchestra and singers transport you across time with magical renditions of cherished classics. Patrons may reserve seats at a table for $40 per seat; general admission tickets (lawn seating) are available for $10; a cash bar will also be available. Under the Stars is a one-of-a-kind event that is sure to delight all audiences.
Lyric Theatre Under the Stars
Lyric Theatre @ Illinois invites you to spend an evening Under the Stars in the beautiful Sunken Garden at Allerton Park & Retreat Center listening to a selection of songs, arias, and choruses from the world’s most beloved operas and musical theatre works. Eat and drink with family, friends, and neighbors as the orchestra and singers transport you across time with magical renditions of cherished classics. Patrons may reserve seats at a table for $40 per seat; general admission tickets (lawn seating) are available for $10; a cash bar will also be available. Under the Stars is a one-of-a-kind event that is sure to delight all audiences.
Brooks Jazz Combo
The Brooks Jazz Combo will be performing at a private event in Cincinnati, OH.
The Ohio State Show Band - 47th annual jazz festival
Dr. Lara Brooks is the featured guest artist with The Ohio State Show Band for the 47th Annual Ohio State Jazz Festival. The concert will feature songs by Dolly Parton, Shania Twain, Carole King and more!
The Ohio State Show Band is a contemporary music ensemble that performs tour-quality shows with musical styles from R&B, gospel, and pop to neo-soul, contemporary Christian and fusion, while incorporating vocalists, automated lighting, production sequences, dance, video sync and the latest computer-based production software directed by Dr. Shawn “Thunder” Wallace.
Estill Voice Training. Hybrid Level 2 Course
Estill Voice Training Level 2: Figure Combinations for Six Voice Qualities™ is for anyone who has completed Level 1 (Hybrid or Standard) and would like to take their skills further. This course is ideal for singers, actors, vocal coaches, drama instructors, speech-language pathologists, and other vocal health professionals. Level 2 builds on the knowledge and skills from Level 1 by asking participants to combine different Figure options into"recipes” for six basic voice qualities - Speech, Falsetto, Twang, Sob, Opera, and Belt. Level 2 gives you a better understanding of the human voice’s limitless possibilities, along with how to keep it vibrant and healthy. This live course includes:
Level 2 Workbook™, supporting handouts
Introduction to Figure Combinations for Six Voice Qualities™
Vocal exercises for range, strength, clarity, and stamina
Large and small group learning and discussions
Masterclass/open coaching sessions for repertoire or case studies
Sax & Serenade - Drs. Lara & Robert Brooks Faculty Recital
Join Dr. Lara & Dr. Robert Brooks as they present a joint faculty recital. Featuring music from jazz, musical theatre, to art song canon! At the Timashev Recital Hall on The Ohio State Campus.
Estill Voice Training Hybrid Level 1 Course
Hybrid Level 1 Course contains two components: 1) the self-directed Foundations of Estill Voice Training® in the Estill Voice Online Academy and 2) the live online Figures for Voice™ led by Estill Voice Hybrid Level 1 teaches the Craft of speaking and singing. This course is for anyone who would like to improve their singing or speaking voice—singers, actors, vocal coaches, drama instructors, speech-language pathologists, and other vocal health professionals. By the end of this course, you should be able to:
Describe the Estill Figures for Voice that span power, source and filter in voice production;
Explain the anatomy & physiology that underlying production of the EVT Figures;
Integrate Voice Qualities into drama, music, or voice therapy applications;
Assess the implementation of Voice Qualities by actors, singers, or patients;
Record and analyze samples of Voice Qualities using state-of-the-art voice technology.
Clinician, Jazz Education Network Conference NOLA 2024
Clinician at the Jazz Education Conference 2024 in New Orleans, LA on “Utilizing Estill Voice Training for Healthy Vocal Jazz Pedagogy”.