Voice Studio
Instructor Biography
Kari Ragan Hoffmann holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from the University of Washington where her research focused on feminist perspective of Douglas Moore’s 1956 opera The Ballad of Baby Doe. Dr. Ragan also holds a Masters and Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from the prestigious Indiana University School of Music.
With over twenty years teaching experience, Dr. Ragan has taught at the University of Puget Sound, Blackpool Performing Arts Center in England and a summer session at the University of Washington, as well as maintaining a private voice studio. For over fifteen years she has been a resident voice teacher at Bellevue Christian High School. Dr. Ragan has worked with singers from the emerging professional to children particularly specialzing in preparing the gifted teenager for the collegiate level. Past students have received scholarships to undergraduate and graduate music programs at prestigious colleges such as Indiana University, Cincinatti Conservatory, Eastman School of Music, Oberlin School of Music, University of Arizona, and many others. Furthermore, they continually win adjudications such as NATS, WMEA Solo/Ensemble, PAFE and the Classical Singer National Competition. Although she has an extensive classical background as a teacher and performer, she has additionally specialized in studying the singing pedagogy of musical theatre (CCM). Students have gone on to sing in National Touring Companies of Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast in addition to numerous local and regional companies.
Through her private voice studio Dr. Ragan began Eastside Vocal Arts which presents a summer music workshop for teens in addition to masterclasses and workshops throughout the year. Among past presenters are Dean Williamson, Ross Hauck, Juliana Rambaldi and Victor Benedetti and Robert Edwin. She is also a sought after clinician for workshops and masterclasses throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Dr. Ragan is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), New York Singing Teachers’ Association (NYSTA) and Northwest Artists. Through these associations she attends conferences and workshops to continue to improve her pedagogical and musical approach to teaching.
She has had the privilege of studying for many years with the renowned Ellen Faull, Julliard Emeritus; other teachers include Vinson Cole, international opera star and voice teacher at New England Conservatory; and the remarkable Martial Singher and Martha Lipton. Her coach of over fifteen years is the renowned maestro Dean Williamson.