Mary Sanden
Mary@KMACenter.org


Title:  Vocal & Flute Instructor
 
Skill Level:  Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced
 
Genres:  Musical Theatre, Classical, Contemporary, Sacred
 
Education:  B.A. Music Performance, Voice & Flute, Lebanon Valley College
 
BIO:
 
Mary Sanden is excited to be teaching the vocal arts and flute at Keystone Musical Arts Center.  She comes from a family of musicians and has a history that is rich in a variety of musical styles. Mary has studied voice with Thom Houser, Ronald Burrichter and Dolores Baxter; she’s studied flute with Joel Behrens and Teresa Bowers. 
 
Prior to college, Mary sang and played flute in nearly every solo and ensemble performing opportunity that arose, as well as numerous theatrical productions. She attended Lebanon Valley College, earning a dual B.A. in Music Performance in Voice and Flute, while also performing in musicals. Mary is a coloratura soprano and has a special affinity for classical repertoire that features this vocal classification. She remains a busy artist and has had the honor to use her musical skills in solo, choral and orchestral work in both Tampa, Florida with the University of South Florida Masterworks Society and Central Pennsylvania with Bel Voce and Harrisburg Singers.
 
Mary worked with the Camp Hill School District’s Musical Theatre Departments up until the 2019-2020 school year when she left to focus on her private teaching studio, developing musical theatre programs at KMAC and performance opportunities.  For a decade leading up to this move, she served as the Vocal Director of the Camp Hill elementary musicals.  She has also produced and vocal directed the Camp Hill Middle School musicals, as well as producing on the high school level.  Additionally, she has worked extensively in the sound booth, coordinating the mics and sound for shows.  When school wasn't in session, Mary worked with the Camp Hill Youth Summer Stage program as a vocal director.  She also assisted with the program’s costuming and props.  She believes that a broad background in the theatre allows her to help train performers who are in tune with all elements required to create a show.   

Mary’s flute instruction covers everything from proper finger/hand/arm position, embouchure and breathing to basic instrument care.  A focus on technical execution, tone and musicality help her students progress and develop confidence.
 
As a vocal instructor, Mary stresses the fundamentals and helps her students learn the importance of proper posture, breathing and diction. Other items covered include increasing range, blending strong and weak parts of the voice, and learning a comfortable stage presence – all elements that are essential for performances as well as auditions.  Whether or not a student decides to study voice for personal or professional goals, the lessons learned can last their whole life long. 

Update May 2022:  Mary has just been accepted into full membership with the National Association of Teachers of Singing.  Congratulations, Mary!
Lesson Availability
Mary is not accepting new students.