He is now the Artistic Director of The Land of Enchantment Opera Institute. It is a bridge between academia and the real world, where he and an outstanding faculty train students to prepare for the professional world.
We are proud to introduce to you this new web page, which will occasionally feature our most promising students.
We urge you to take the time and read some of the testimonials from these wonderful emerging young artists.
Peter
and Linda Strummer
Over 10 years ago, I had my first voice lesson with Peter and Linda Strummer and from that moment I was made aware that although nothing in this business was guaranteed, they were committed to preparing me to have a fair chance at having an operatic career.
During my first summer in their voice studio, I made tremendous progress. Lessons were between 2 and 3 hours long and included training not only in vocal technique but dramatic interpretation, language diction, and the study of great performers and performances.
Theirs was and still is quite an holistic approach to instruction because they themselves are accomplished artists with first-hand knowledge of what it takes to build and maintain an operatic career. It is apparent that they care far beyond the "Regular" voice teachers. In my case, they've extended themselves emotionally as well as financially to ensure my progress and success. More giving people, I'm not sure I would ever find in this business.
From the very beginning, they instilled in me the work ethic and professionalism that has carried me to the various major stages of the world. To this day, Peter and Linda Strummer remain not only my voice teachers, but my most trusted mentors as I navigate through the many challenges and joys of developing a career. Their compassion and commitment to the success of all their students provides and oasis of stability in an industry full of uncertainties. I am and will be forever grateful.
Nathan De'Shon Myers
Technical proficiency and security is something we all strive for as opera singers. You will gain this through Peter and Linda's teaching.
Singing in the German opera system can be intimidating with some seasons reaching 90+ shows per year. This is kein Problem for me, singing with Peter and Linda's technique.
In the three years I have studied with Peter, he has turned my voice into something I can always rely on. Never in my mind do I think, "will the note come out tonight?" It's always there.
But he has done so much more than this. The evenness of tone, expression, volume and economy of production have all improved greatly. It is no wonder that I received 3 first place awards for Barber of Seville (Figaro) in the German Critic Awards 2011. This honor is due in part to him for excellent teaching. Whatever your present technical abilities, you will make improvements studying with Peter and Linda. And you will receive these improvements in a warm and welcoming, positive atmosphere.
Raymond Ayres
As an emerging performer and musician, I feel so lucky to have been able to be a part of the Land of Enchantment Opera Institute.
Throughout the course of the four week program, I was able to grow and learn so much as a performer and I was able to create connections with other musicians that will last a lifetime. The instruction that I received at this program has rivaled anything that I have seen elsewhere, and each member of the faculty brought a uniqueness that elevated the level of mastery to new heights.
In the area of voice instruction, I had the distinct honor of working with Linda Roark-Strummer, and Peter Strummer. The methods that we worked on focused on finding the core of the sound, and the most healthy function of the voice. This is what most performers strive to work towards, and with the Strummers, I feel like a path was taken in that direction from the very beginning of the program to the last song performed.
We also worked very intensely on interpretation, as well as diction. This is an area that I feel is extremely important as an american performer. I want to be able to have the strongest hold on the diction that is possible, and the instruction that I was given from the Strummers was exceptional.
The combined knowledge of Linda Roark-Strummer and Peter Strummer in the areas of performance, interpretation, and pedagogy is unparalleled. In the area of vocal coaching we had the opportunity to work with three of the most talented coaches working in today's operatic world. Mark Armstrong, Julian Reed, and Steven Crawford coached with each of the singers to create the best performance possible, and the quality of their skills and influences was out of this world. I know that as a performer I will continuously draw upon the knowledge that I gained at Land of Enchantment Opera Institute.
Rachel Horton
I have been studying with Linda and Peter Strummer for one year, in that time they have helped me beyond measure in all aspects of my musicality. I am learning a healthy vocal technique, character building, and proper diction training. My training with them has helped me in many aspects of life and learning, not just in music alone. I am learning a hard and proper work ethic, problem solving, and how to work with others. On top of all of this, you do not just receive great training and knowledge, but you form a professional and personal relationship with two amazing and loving people. You do not feel as they are just your teachers, but that they are also your friends. It is obvious they care greatly about all there students and will not give up as long as you are studying under them.
Jonathan Gillis
The Strummers changed my life. Prior to studying with them, I had a faulty technique and tremendous vocal difficulties. They built my voice “from scratch”. This is a long and meticulous process, and I will never forget the sheer amount of work that they selflessly put into my betterment. Peter and Linda were the only ones during this time who believed in me, and had the patience to methodically pick through all of my vocal issues. As a result, they gave me a solid foundation and technique, and I now have confidence in my vocal abilities.
Peter and Linda masterfully couple vocal technique with interpretation. They instilled in me definitive methods to efficiently process the dramatic standpoint of any piece of music – no matter the genre.
I cannot begin to express the deep gratitude that I feel for my teachers. They are the driving force behind my improvement. Peter and Linda are the sole reason why I can sing today; they saw potential in me, and worked tirelessly to bring it out. I strongly urge anybody who is seriously interested in pursuing voice to study with them.
Poornima Ravi
Working with both Peter and Linda has been a great learning opportunity for me. It is an honor to taught by teachers who have insight and expertise gained from so many years of experience in very successful careers as singers, and Peter and Linda have a love for the art of opera that is infectious and inspiring. Most importantly, I always felt that my needs and concerns were considered and I was treated with respect as an artist and a person. I look forward to working with both again!
Lucy Zepeda
I came to the Strummer's studio rather a shameful figure. I've been in their studio for a good many years now and have gone to Land of Enchantment Opera for two years and in that time the knowledge that I've acquired has been invaluable. The vocal technique which the Strummer's impart is solid and their insight into the human voice and it's uses is far reaching. I've improved dramatically in the time studied with regards to voice technique, musical style, understanding of language and pronunciation. Land of Enchantment afforded me the ability to work with such brilliant coaches as Mark Armstrong and Julian Reed and also with the Director Steven Crawford...all of which imparted as much of their musical skills onto us students as possible. The real world of opera as I'm coming to know it is broad and any help to understand and become armed, or tooled, for that world is welcome; I've found those tools with these teachers and this program. Working with peers to improve our mutual techniques and build one another's experience was such a beautiful journey and the music shared made me weep at new depths of understanding.
Elliott Deasy
Having worked with the Strummers at LEOI(LESIVA) for the past two Summers, I've come to realize a couple of life changing reasons to continue the pursuit of music. First, the sky is the limit, and there will never be a dull moment. Second, if we continue our passion, we'll obtain more than our dreams had ever set out, and more. All we have to do is raise the bar, and believe. The Strummers have taught me just that.
As collaborative pianist, I had the incredible opportunity to work with pianists/maestros; Mark Armstrong(Tulsa), Julian Reed(Dallas), and Steven Crawford(New York). Not only did I get more familiar with repertoire and learn more about the voice, but I did so through the teachings of these three incredible gentlemen. From personal experiences, to advice concerning that of my own, these three helped establish the building blocks responsible for revealing a hidden enthusiasm and potential within myself that I never thought I'd have. Getting to sit in on rehearsals(as page turner of course) and playing vicariously not only cut practice time in half, but taught me styles and do's and don'ts through osmosis.
With the aid of the Strummers, I've come to see what opera is all about and why so many set their life in the direction of art and the pursuit of beauty in this realm. I thank them and the maestros greatly, for I'll be playing the rest of my life with them in mind. Thank you, and I look forward to many years to come.
ZaQue Hutchings, collaborative pianist 2010, 2011
Student bios and links
