Executive Overview
In a joint announcement that bridges the worlds of vocal performance, pedagogy, and scientific research, the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and The Voice Foundation have named Dr. Nicholas Perna as the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Van L. Lawrence Fellowship Award.
This esteemed accolade, designed to bridge the gap between voice pedagogy and vocal science, comes with a $2,000 research grant and a featured platform at the upcoming 54th Annual Symposium: Care of the Professional Voice, scheduled to take place from May 28 to June 1, 2025, in Philadelphia.
Dr. Perna, an associate professor of voice, director of vocal pedagogy at the University of Colorado Boulder, and an active leader within NATS, will direct the fellowship funds toward his ongoing, cutting-edge empirical research. His current investigation centers on velopharyngeal opening (VPO) variability in collegiate treble singers, exploring how acoustic and physiological adjustments occur across varying pitch ranges and singing styles.
This comprehensive report examines the significance of the Van L. Lawrence Fellowship, details Dr. Perna’s multifaceted professional background, delves into the technical nuances of his award-winning research agenda, and explores the broader implications of his findings for the future of vocal training in both Western Classical and Musical Theater traditions.
Detailed Chronology: From Classroom to National Recognition
To understand the weight of Dr. Perna’s recent achievement, it is necessary to examine the trajectory of his career—one defined by an unwavering commitment to pedagogical advancement, administrative leadership, and public education.
Academic Roots and Leadership Roles
Dr. Perna’s journey in vocal arts education has taken him to prominent academic institutions across the United States. A dedicated member of the NATS Colorado/Wyoming Chapter (part of the West Central Region), Perna transitioned to his current role as associate professor of voice and director of vocal pedagogy at the University of Colorado Boulder at the start of the academic year.
His leadership extends far beyond the studio. Within NATS, Perna serves as the Vice President for Outreach for the 2022–2026 term on the organization’s Board of Directors. In this capacity, he has spearheaded initiatives to connect voice professionals nationwide, fostering an environment of collaborative learning. Furthermore, his administrative acumen was prominently displayed during his tenure as the poster paper coordinator for NATS national conferences—most recently orchestrating the scholarly poster sessions at the 2024 national gathering in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Digital Pedagogy and the VocalFri Podcast
Recognizing the shift toward digital mediums in modern education, Dr. Perna cohosts VocalFri alongside Sarah Welch Pigott. The weekly podcast has established itself as an essential resource for voice teachers, students, and researchers alike. As an active component of NATSCast—the official podcast network of NATS—VocalFri regularly breaks down complex topics in voice science, vocal health, and teaching methodologies into accessible, engaging conversations for a global audience.
The 2025 Fellowship Milestone
The announcement of the Van L. Lawrence Fellowship marks a crowning achievement in Perna’s academic career, particularly given its historical resonance with his current institution.
"On a personal note, receiving this honor in my first year at University of Colorado Boulder as the Director of Voice Pedagogy is particularly meaningful," Perna remarked. "Van Lawrence was one of the voice scientists with whom our program’s founder, Berton Coffin, collaborated as he came to his own observations of the singing voice."
Supporting Context & Metrics: The Science of Velopharyngeal Opening (VPO)
To fully appreciate the gravity of Dr. Perna’s current research, one must examine the physiological mechanics of the vocal tract, specifically the velopharyngeal mechanism, and the historical legacy of the award itself.
The Van L. Lawrence Fellowship: History and Purpose
Established jointly by NATS and The Voice Foundation, the Van L. Lawrence Fellowship honors the memory of Dr. Van L. Lawrence, an otolaryngologist who dedicated much of his life to the care of professional voice users and to fostering cooperation between laryngologists and singing teachers.
The fellowship is awarded annually to an individual who has demonstrated excellence in teaching and a deep commitment to voice science. By providing financial support and a platform at the Voice Foundation’s annual symposium in Philadelphia, the fellowship empowers researchers to turn empirical hypotheses into clinically and pedagogically actionable data.
Decoding the Research: Velopharyngeal Opening (VPO)
At the heart of Dr. Perna’s award-winning proposal is a complex physiological phenomenon: velopharyngeal opening (VPO).
The velopharynx is the valve-like structure composed of the soft palate (velum) and the pharyngeal walls. In standard speech and Western Classical singing, this valve typically closes tightly during oral sounds to prevent air from escaping through the nasal cavity (hypernasality). However, the degree of VPO is not necessarily a static binary state; it can vary dynamically depending on pitch, vowel modification, stylistic demands, and vocal register.
Core Research Questions of the Perna Study
Perna’s research team aims to answer three primary questions regarding collegiate treble singers:
- Pitch-Based Variability: Do collegiate treble singers systematically vary their velopharyngeal opening as their pitch increases?
- Stylistic Comparisons: How do the VPO behaviors of Western Classical (WC) singers differ from those of Musical Theater (MT) singers as pitch ascends?
- Contact Quotient Correlation: Is there a correlative behavioral link between VPO adjustments and the singers’ closed quotient (or contact quotient—the percentage of a vibratory cycle during which the vocal folds are in contact) as pitch increases?
Methodology and Collaborative Support
Investigating internal vocal tract mechanics requires sophisticated diagnostic tools and rigorous analytical frameworks. Perna is quick to credit the multidisciplinary team supporting his work.
He received vital assistance with research design from Dr. Joshua Glasner of the Lions Voice Clinic. Additionally, the project relies heavily on the hands-on labor of two graduate research assistants, Alice Del Simone and Benjamin South, who assist with data collection and processing.
Official Statements and Industry Impact
The announcement has generated widespread enthusiasm across the vocal pedagogy and otolaryngology communities. Leaders from both NATS and The Voice Foundation have emphasized the study’s potential to reshape how high-register singing is taught, particularly within contemporary commercial music (CCM) and musical theater.
Insights from the Principal Investigator
In detailing his lifelong academic pursuits, Dr. Perna highlighted why this specific line of inquiry is so vital to modern vocal training:
"Investigating nasality, nasal airflow, and velopharyngeal opening (VPO) have been central to my research agenda my entire career," Perna explained.
"There is anecdotal evidence to suggest treble musical theater singers may increase VPO as pitch increases and move into their ‘mixed voice.’ If that is true, this study could aid singers and voice teachers to better understand how to execute climactic higher pitches in an easier and healthier production, specifically in MT styles."
The transition into "mixed voice"—a coordination that blends elements of chest and head registers—is notoriously challenging for treble singers in musical theater. By shedding light on whether subtle nasal airflow adjustments (via controlled VPO) facilitate this transition, Perna’s research could demystify one of the most demanding aspects of contemporary vocal performance.
Institutional Support
Both governing bodies released statements reiterating their commitment to supporting rigorous, science-backed pedagogy. Executives from NATS and The Voice Foundation noted that Perna’s dual expertise as a master teacher and an inquisitive researcher exemplifies the exact qualities the Van L. Lawrence Fellowship was created to promote.
By funding this project, the organizations are directly investing in tools that will ultimately protect the vocal health of thousands of student and professional singers.
Future Outlook: Implications for Pedagogy and Performance
As Dr. Perna prepares to accept the fellowship and present his preliminary frameworks at the 54th Annual Symposium in Philadelphia (May 28–June 1, 2025), the broader vocal community anticipates how these findings will translate from the laboratory to the studio.
Bridging Science and the Private Voice Studio
For generations, voice teachers relied on poetic imagery and subjective sensations to guide students through technical challenges. While metaphors remain useful, the modern pedagogical landscape demands objective validation.
If Perna’s study successfully maps out the relationship between VPO variability, pitch ascension, and contact quotient in treble singers, voice teachers will gain a concrete physiological roadmap. Instructors working with musical theater performers will be better equipped to troubleshoot vocal fatigue, strain, or unwanted hypernasality during high-belt or high-mix passages.
The Path Forward at CU Boulder
For the University of Colorado Boulder, Perna’s fellowship win cements the vocal pedagogy program’s status as a national powerhouse for voice science. By honoring the historical lineage of Berton Coffin while pushing the boundaries of contemporary physiological analysis, Perna is ensuring that the institution remains at the forefront of vocal arts education for decades to come.
As the scientific community awaits the final data compilation and subsequent publications, Dr. Nicholas Perna’s recognition stands as a testament to the power of inquiry, collaboration, and dedication to the art and science of the human voice.
