Dr. Marcie Givens – voice

An active teacher and performer for over 25 years, Dr. Givens enjoys working with students of all ages and abilities, assisting them in the discovery of their unique instrument. Dr. Givens assists each student in their technical and artistic development. Her teaching style is positive and encouraging yet honest and affirming. She enthusiastically welcomes questions, loves to solve vocal ‘puzzles’ and is energized by the learning process. Dr. Givens utilizes an experiential approach to singing as she fully engages each student in the learning process.

A typical lesson begins with vocalizing (warm-up) exercises with attention to technique. From there the lesson moves to singing songs/repertoire where technique and artistry are addressed within the structure of the song. Dr. Givens’ approach to technique is firmly grounded in the Italian bel canto school of singing which assists each student in understanding their instrument, developing a healthy and efficient singing technique which is easily modified to suit any style of music. While classically trained, Dr. Givens welcomes and enjoys working with many genres of music.

Dr. Marcie Givens, soprano, is an active performer on the recital and concert stage, having had the pleasure of performing locally, regionally and internationally. Some of her favorite performances include the 2017 performance of the Fauré Requiem with husband, Dr. Hugh Givens, bass-baritone, the CSB/SJU choirs and the Amadeus Symphony under the baton of Dr. Axel Theimer; the Brahms’ Requiem with CSB/SJU choirs and Amadeus Symphony; the world premiere of Larsen’s Within the Circles of Our Lives with the St. Cloud State Wind Ensemble at the American Bandmasters Assoc. International Convention at Cal Poly University and at UCLA in March 2007; and Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915 with the CSB/SJU Symphony. Representative professional stage experiences include Musetta in La Boheme and Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. Honors include winner of the 2004 Minnesota NATS Artist Awards, 1997 winner of the MN NATS Advanced/Young Professional Division, 1996 winner of the Iowa District Metropolitan Opera National Council Awards and 1996 Upper Midwest Regional Finalist of the Met Awards. In 2008, the Drs. Givens traveled to Manila, Philippines to teach voice, vocal pedagogy, voice related courses and present an American Art Song recital at BJMB College. The Givens returned to the Philippines for a two-month residency at BJMBC in 2014 to teach graduate level voice and vocal pedagogy, and to present special music for church services and conduct clinics for church choirs on the main island of Luzon and neighboring Mindoro.