Studio

The Thoreson Voice Studio’s primary mission is to find and develop each singer's authentic voice to its healthiest, most beautiful, most expressive, and most enjoyable result. We strive to create an environment of safety, humor, curiosity, and challenge in our lessons. We are an affirming studio, seeking to welcome and celebrate all humans (including BIPOC, the neurodiverse, and the LGBTQ+ community). We endeavor to be good music ambassadors in our community: supporting our colleagues from other studios, celebrating every singer’s unique abilities, and encouraging each other in the midst of our global “new normal”. 

Thoreson Voice Studio members perform frequently in recitals, concerts, and masterclasses. They consistently win and place in local, regional, and national vocal competitions (including Solo & Ensemble, Classical and Musical Theater NATS, 5th Ave Theater Awards, The Jimmies, The Schmidt Competition, etc). Many Thoreson Voice Studio graduates go on to major music schools (Berklee College of Music, Boston University, Indiana University, Brigham Young University, Oberlin Conservatory, Oklahoma City University, Pepperdine University, Rider University, Pacific Lutheran University, and more) for college music degrees in classical vocal performance, music therapy, composition, music production, music education, musical theater, and more. Thoreson Voice Studio members hold section leader positions in top school, community, and professional vocal ensembles all over the United States, perform as leads in musicals and operas, write, produce, and perform their own music in our community and beyond, conduct all levels of choirs, run their own voice studios, share music through community and church projects, and: they ALL love to sing :) 

A graduate of Central Washington University and Indiana University’s prestigious Jacobs School of Music, Laura Beckel Thoreson (B.M., M.M., P.D.) was a member of the voice faculty at the University of Portland for four years, and now holds a faculty position at Clark College in her hometown of Vancouver, WA, where she also maintains a thriving private voice studio. Ms. Beckel Thoreson is an enthusiastic member of NATS (the National Association of Teachers of Singing), MTNA (Music Teachers National Association), and AGMA (the American Guild of Musical Artists), and is a frequent clinician and adjudicator for choral programs, festivals, and vocal competitions throughout the Northwest. 

Hailed as “one of the loveliest voices in the Northwest” (Oregon ArtsWatch), contralto Laura Beckel Thoreson (she/her) enjoys a widely varied singing career in the USA and abroad, spanning opera, oratorio, recital, and ensemble performances. She has appeared as a solo guest artist with such groups as Portland Opera, Eugene Opera, Indianapolis Opera, Augusta Opera, Utah Festival Opera, Oregon Symphony, Portland Baroque Orchestra, Oregon Sinfonietta, Orchestra Seattle, Newport Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, San Juan Symphony, Naples Philharmonic, and more, and has performed internationally in Canada, England, Scotland, Belgium, and the Netherlands. An avid proponent of new music, she is a frequent collaborator with composers and ensembles, participating in world premiere performances and appearing on Billboard Top-Ten recordings. Beckel Thoreson is a founding member of Portland’s Northwest Art Song organization, and a frequent guest on All-Classical 89.9’s live radio program, Thursdays @ Three.

A graduate of Central Washington University and Indiana University’s prestigious Jacobs School of Music, Beckel Thoreson was a member of the voice faculty at the University of Portland for four years, and is now a Professor of Voice at Clark College in her hometown of Vancouver, WA, where she also maintains a private voice studio. 

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