Executive Overview
In a joint announcement that bridges the worlds of rigorous vocal pedagogy and advanced voice science, 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, which carries a $2,000 cash award designated explicitly to support ongoing scientific research, grants Dr. Perna a prominent platform to showcase his work at the upcoming 54th Annual Symposium: Care of the Professional Voice. Scheduled to take place from May 28 to June 1, 2025, in Philadelphia, the symposium represents the preeminent global gathering for laryngologists, speech-language pathologists, voice scientists, and singing teachers.
Dr. Perna, an associate professor of voice, director of vocal pedagogy at the University of Colorado Boulder, and an active member of the NATS Colorado/Wyoming Chapter (West Central Region), is being recognized for his pioneering inquiry into vocal acoustics and physiology. Specifically, his fellowship-funded research investigates velopharyngeal opening (VPO) variability in collegiate treble singers, exploring the intricate muscular and acoustic behaviors that occur as singers navigate higher registers across Western Classical (WC) and Musical Theater (MT) genres.
Beyond his academic appointments, Dr. Perna is a visible and dynamic leader within the broader vocal arts community. He currently serves a pivotal four-year term (2022–2026) as the NATS Vice President for Outreach on the organization’s Board of Directors and has long driven the dissemination of empirical research as the poster paper coordinator for national NATS gatherings, most recently at the 2024 conference in Knoxville, Tennessee. Furthermore, he co-hosts the popular weekly podcast VocalFri alongside Sarah Welch Pigott, a flagship program within NATSCast, the official podcast network of NATS.
This comprehensive feature explores the significance of the Van L. Lawrence Fellowship, unpacks the scientific mechanics and pedagogical implications of Dr. Perna’s research, contextualizes his contributions within modern voice pedagogy, and outlines what this milestone means for the future of vocal health and training.
Detailed Chronology & Background
The Legacy of Van L. Lawrence and the Fellowship
Established jointly by NATS and The Voice Foundation, the Van L. Lawrence Fellowship honors the memory of Dr. Van L. Lawrence, a passionate otolaryngologist and patron of the vocal arts who recognized early on the vital intersection between medical science and vocal pedagogy. Dr. Lawrence was instrumental in fostering dialogue between voice scientists and singing teachers—two groups that historically spoke vastly different professional dialects.
The fellowship is awarded annually to an individual who has demonstrated excellence in teaching, an active curiosity regarding the physical and acoustic mechanics of the singing voice, and a clear commitment to applying scientific methodologies to studio pedagogy. The award provides both financial backing and professional validation, allowing researchers to gather empirical data, utilize advanced clinical equipment, and share their findings with an international cohort of voice care professionals.
Dr. Nicholas Perna: A Trajectory of Leadership and Inquiry
Dr. Perna’s ascent to receiving the 2025 Van L. Lawrence Fellowship is the culmination of a career dedicated to breaking down silos between empirical science and applied voice teaching. His academic journey has been marked by rigorous administrative, pedagogical, and scholarly contributions.
- Academic Leadership: Currently serving as Associate Professor of Voice and Director of Vocal Pedagogy at the University of Colorado Boulder, Dr. Perna stepped into this role with a clear vision for integrating laboratory-grade insights into practical studio voice training. His arrival at CU Boulder carries a poetic historical resonance: the founder of the university’s renowned voice program, Berton Coffin, famously collaborated with the fellowship’s namesake, Dr. Van L. Lawrence, during the formative years of modern pedagogical observation.
- National Service: Dr. Perna’s commitment to the broader teaching community is exemplified by his governance role as NATS Vice President for Outreach (2022–2026). In this capacity, he has championed initiatives to broaden access to pedagogical resources, support regional chapters, and elevate marginalized or under-represented voices within the association. His operational footprint is equally visible in his multi-year tenure as the poster paper coordinator for NATS national conferences, where he has helped shape how empirical research is presented and peer-reviewed at large gatherings.
- Media and Public Engagement: Recognizing that modern pedagogical insights must extend beyond university lecture halls and academic journals, Dr. Perna co-hosts VocalFri with Sarah Welch Pigott. As part of the NATSCast network, the weekly podcast bridges the gap between complex voice science, vocal health, and daily studio application, engaging thousands of listeners worldwide with accessible, evidence-based conversations.
Supporting Context & Metrics: Decoding Velopharyngeal Opening (VPO)
The Scientific Core of the Research
At the heart of Dr. Perna’s fellowship award is a specialized, highly technical research project examining velopharyngeal opening (VPO) variability in collegiate treble singers.
To understand the weight of this research, one must first examine the anatomy of the vocal tract. The velopharynx is the valve formed by the velum (soft palate) and the pharyngeal walls. In standard speech and many forms of Western Classical singing, the velopharynx closes tightly to direct all acoustic energy and airflow through the oral cavity, preventing excessive nasal resonance (hypernasality). However, the degree of velopharyngeal closure is not a static binary state; it exists on a continuum, and its dynamic regulation plays a massive role in timbre, stylistic authenticity, and vocal tract adjustments—especially as singers ascend in pitch.
"Investigating nasality, nasal airflow, and velopharyngeal opening have been central to my research agenda my entire career," Dr. Perna notes.
Key Research Questions and Hypotheses
The newly funded study aims to answer several critical questions regarding physiological variance across musical genres:
- Pitch-Related VPO Shifts in Treble Voices: Do collegiate treble singers systematically vary their velopharyngeal opening as pitch increases across registers?
- Genre-Specific Variations (Western Classical vs. Musical Theater): How do Western Classical (WC) singers and Musical Theater (MT) singers differ in their VPO adjustments as they climb upward in pitch?
- Contact Quotient Correlation: Is there a correlative behavioral link between these singers’ contact quotient (the proportion of a vibratory cycle during which the vocal folds are in physical contact, measured via electroglottography) and changes in VPO as pitch increases?
Pedagogical Implications for Musical Theater and Classical Styles
The motivation behind these inquiries is rooted in both clinical observation and real-world studio challenges. Dr. Perna highlights that strong anecdotal evidence points to a specific physiological strategy among treble musical theater singers: as they navigate higher pitches and transition into their "mixed voice," they may deliberately increase their velopharyngeal opening.
If confirmed by empirical data, this finding could revolutionize how teachers approach high-belt or high-mix training.
- Easier Production: Understanding how VPO interacts with acoustic impedance and vocal fold closure can help teachers guide students toward more efficient, less fatiguing high-register coordination.
- Healthier Technique: Many young musical theater performers struggle with vocal fatigue or strain when negotiating climactic high notes. By mapping the precise mechanical adjustments of the velopharynx, voice scientists and educators can develop targeted exercises that mitigate hyperfunctional tension, protect mucosal health, and demystify the physiological mechanics of the "mix."
Collaborative Framework and Institutional Support
A project of this technical depth requires a robust multidisciplinary team. Dr. Perna has enlisted key collaborators to ensure rigorous data collection, analysis, and interpretation:
- Dr. Joshua Glasner: Affiliated with the prestigious Lions Voice Clinic, Dr. Glasner provided crucial guidance in research design and clinical methodologies.
- Graduate Research Assistants: Alice Del Simone and Benjamin South are playing vital roles in data collection, processing, and participant management at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Official Statements & Industry Impact
The announcement of the 2025 Van L. Lawrence Fellowship recipient has generated enthusiastic responses from leaders across the national voice community, emphasizing the vital role of scientific inquiry in modern pedagogy.
"Investigating nasality, nasal airflow, and velopharyngeal opening (VPO) have been central to my research agenda my entire career," stated Dr. Nicholas Perna upon accepting the award. "Our fellowship research seeks to determine whether collegiate treble singers vary VPO as pitch increases. We also want to discover how Western Classical or Musical Theater singers’ VPO differs as pitch increases… I am grateful to have received assistance with research design from Dr. Joshua Glasner with Lions Voice Clinic, and thankful for the help of my two graduate research assistants Alice Del Simone and Benjamin South."
Reflecting on the personal and historical resonance of the award at his new academic home, Dr. Perna added:
"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. 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."
Leadership from both sponsoring organizations echoed these sentiments. Representatives from the National Association of Teachers of Singing and The Voice Foundation released a joint statement emphasizing their ongoing commitment to supporting empirical research:
"Both the National Association of Teachers of Singing and The Voice Foundation extend their congratulations to Nicholas Perna for his achievements and look forward to findings from his VPO research."
Future Outlook: The Road to Philadelphia 2025 and Beyond
With the official announcement completed, the immediate horizon for Dr. Perna involves finalizing data collection, processing physiological metrics, and preparing his findings for presentation.
The 54th Annual Symposium Preview
The culmination of this fellowship phase will occur on the national stage at the 54th Annual Symposium: Care of the Professional Voice, taking place from May 28 to June 1, 2025, in Philadelphia. Hosted by The Voice Foundation, this conference draws hundreds of specialists from around the globe. For Dr. Perna, presenting his VPO research in this multidisciplinary environment offers a unique opportunity to subject his hypotheses to peer review by leading laryngologists and speech scientists, ensuring that the insights gained can be directly translated back into clinical and studio applications.
Long-Term Impact on Voice Pedagogy Curricula
Beyond the immediate conference presentation, the ripple effects of Dr. Perna’s research are expected to influence voice pedagogy curricula nationwide:
- Evidence-Based Studio Teaching: As more empirical data regarding genre-specific vocal tract adjustments emerges, voice teachers will have fewer excuses to rely on vague metaphorical instruction and more tools to provide anatomically accurate guidance.
- Cross-Training Versatility: With the explosion of musical theater as a dominant commercial and academic genre, training versatile singers who can seamlessly navigate between classical legit and contemporary musical theater styles is paramount. Research into velopharyngeal variability directly addresses this pedagogical demand.
- Empowering the Next Generation: Through his mentorship of graduate students like Alice Del Simone and Benjamin South at CU Boulder, Dr. Perna is actively training a new generation of voice scientists and pedagogues who view laboratory research not as an abstract academic exercise, but as an essential companion to artistic expression.
As the voice community looks toward Philadelphia in May 2025, Dr. Nicholas Perna’s work stands as a testament to the power of curiosity, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to the health and artistry of the human voice.
