Executive Overview
In a joint announcement that highlights the intersection of cutting-edge vocal pedagogy and rigorous scientific inquiry, the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and The Voice Foundation have named Dr. Nicholas Perna the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Van L. Lawrence Fellowship Award. This competitive honor, designed to bridge the gap between pedagogy and voice science, awards Perna a $2,000 stipend to directly support his pioneering research into velopharyngeal opening (VPO) variability among collegiate treble singers.
In addition to the financial backing, the fellowship provides Perna with a premier platform to present 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. This symposium draws otolaryngologists, speech-language pathologists, voice scientists, and elite vocal pedagogues from around the globe, making it the definitive forum for breakthroughs in vocal health and performance.
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 of the West Central Region, stands at the forefront of modern voice research. His recognition reflects not only his rigorous academic pursuits but also his extensive leadership within the vocal community, including his current tenure as the NATS Vice President for Outreach (2022–2026) and his co-hosting role on the widely acclaimed VocalFri podcast.
This comprehensive report examines the significance of the Van L. Lawrence Fellowship, explores the nuances of Perna’s groundbreaking research into velopharyngeal mechanics in classical and musical theater styles, details his extensive professional background, and outlines the broader implications of this study for the future of vocal training and pedagogy.
Detailed Chronology and Background of the Fellowship
The Legacy of Van L. Lawrence, M.D.
To understand the gravity of the Van L. Lawrence Fellowship, one must examine the legacy of its namesake. Dr. Van L. Lawrence was a visionary otolaryngologist whose life’s work was dedicated to the understanding and care of the professional voice. As a founding member of The Voice Foundation, Dr. Lawrence tirelessly championed the collaboration between medical professionals, scientists, and voice teachers. He firmly believed that artistic mastery of the singing voice must be informed by objective, empirical science.
Established to honor his memory, the Van L. Lawrence Fellowship is awarded annually to an individual who demonstrates excellence in both pedagogical practice and scientific research. The recipient receives financial assistance to pursue specific investigative projects that illuminate the physics, physiology, and acoustics of singing, ultimately serving to protect and enhance the human voice.
The 2025 Selection and Symposium Milestone
The announcement of Dr. Nicholas Perna as the 2025 fellow marks another milestone in the history of the award. For Perna, the timing of this accolade coincides with a major professional transition. Having recently assumed his role as the Director of Vocal Pedagogy at the University of Colorado Boulder, receiving this national recognition in his first year at the institution underscores his standing as a leading voice scientist-pedagogue.
Furthermore, Perna’s connection to CU Boulder carries a deep historical resonance. As Perna noted, the foundational pedagogical framework of the CU Boulder voice program was established by its founder, Berton Coffin—a legendary figure in vocal pedagogy who famously collaborated with Dr. Van L. Lawrence himself. By receiving this fellowship, Perna symbolically bridges the historical legacy of the institution with the cutting-edge methodologies of the 21st century.
Supporting Context & Metrics: Unpacking the VPO Research
The Physics of Velopharyngeal Opening (VPO)
At the heart of Perna’s award-winning proposal is a complex physiological phenomenon: velopharyngeal opening (VPO) variability in collegiate treble singers. The velopharyngeal mechanism—comprising the soft palate (velum) and the pharyngeal walls—acts as a dynamic valve that regulates airflow between the oral and nasal cavities.
In traditional Western Classical (WC) singing, the soft palate is generally elevated to create a fully oral resonance, minimizing nasal airflow except on designated nasal consonants (such as /m/, /n/, and /ŋ/). However, in contemporary commercial music (CCM) and Musical Theater (MT), the acoustic palette is far more diverse. Singers frequently manipulate nasal resonance to achieve stylistic markers such as "twang," brightness, or the characteristic "mixed voice" required for high-belt and high-mix repertoire.
Despite widespread anecdotal observations in voice studios, quantitative data regarding how treble singers dynamically manage VPO across changing pitches has remained sparse. Perna’s study aims to bridge this empirical gap.
Research Design and Core Objectives
Perna’s fellowship research project is structured around several precise investigative inquiries:
- Pitch-Dependent VPO Variability: The study seeks to determine whether collegiate treble singers systematically vary their velopharyngeal opening as vocal pitch increases.
- Genre-Specific Comparisons: Researchers will analyze and contrast how Western Classical (WC) singers versus Musical Theater (MT) singers manage VPO adjustments as they ascend into higher vocal registers.
- Contact Quotient Correlates: The research team will investigate whether there is any correlative behavior between VPO adjustments and the singers’ contact quotient (CQ)—the percentage of a vibratory cycle during which the vocal folds are in contact—as pitch increases.
Hypotheses and Pedagogical Implications
The impetus for this research stems from an intriguing observation in modern voice studios: anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that treble musical theater singers systematically increase their velopharyngeal opening as pitch increases, particularly when transitioning into their "mixed voice."
If Perna’s study confirms this hypothesis, the implications for vocal pedagogy will be profound. Navigating the passaggio (the transitional area between vocal registers) is historically one of the most challenging aspects of voice training. By understanding the precise aerodynamic and physiological adjustments required for high-register singing in musical theater, educators can develop more effective, science-based training methods.
Ultimately, this research could demystify how singers execute climactic high notes with greater ease, efficiency, and vocal health, thereby reducing the incidence of vocal fatigue and injury in demanding theatrical runs.
Collaborative Network and Methodological Support
Rigorous scientific research requires interdisciplinary collaboration, and Perna has assembled a strong team to support the execution of this project. He expressed deep gratitude for assistance with research design provided by Dr. Joshua Glasner of the renowned Lions Voice Clinic. Additionally, the project relies heavily on the hands-on labor and data analysis of two dedicated graduate research assistants, Alice Del Simone and Benjamin South.
Official Statements and Professional Leadership
Insights from the Principal Investigator
In discussing the trajectory of his academic career and the significance of the fellowship, Dr. Perna emphasized that this research is not a temporary diversion, but the culmination of a lifelong professional commitment.
"Investigating nasality, nasal airflow, and velopharyngeal opening (VPO) have been central to my research agenda my entire career," Perna explained. "Our fellowship research seeks to determine whether collegiate treble singers vary VPO as pitch increases. We also want to discover how Western Classical (WC) or Musical Theater (MT) singers’ VPO differs as pitch increases. We will analyze if there is any correlative behavior in these singers’ contact quotient as pitch increases."
Expanding on the practical applications for performers and educators, Perna added:
"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."
Reflecting on the personal significance of receiving the award at CU Boulder, Perna remarked:
"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."
Institutional Endorsements
Both governing bodies behind the fellowship—the National Association of Teachers of Singing and The Voice Foundation—released joint statements celebrating Perna’s achievements. Leadership from both organizations underscored the vital importance of funding research that directly impacts studio teaching. By supporting Perna’s work on VPO variability, NATS and The Voice Foundation continue their shared mission of elevating the standards of vocal education through empirical science, ensuring that generations of future singers benefit from safe, evidence-based training methodologies.
Professional Profile: Dr. Nicholas Perna
Dr. Nicholas Perna’s contributions to the field extend far beyond his upcoming research project. His leadership footprint within the vocal arts community is extensive and multifaceted.
- Academic Leadership: As Associate Professor of Voice and Director of Vocal Pedagogy at the University of Colorado Boulder, Perna shapes the minds of the next generation of classical and contemporary singers and teachers. Prior to his appointment at CU Boulder, he built a distinguished record of teaching, scholarship, and institutional service.
- National Governance: Perna serves on the National Board of Directors for the National Association of Teachers of Singing as the Vice President for Outreach for the 2022–2026 term. In this capacity, he helps guide national initiatives to broaden the reach of vocal education, support regional chapters, and foster inclusive communities of practice.
- Conference Coordination: Demonstrating his commitment to academic dissemination, Perna has served as the poster paper coordinator for major NATS national conferences, including the most recent landmark gathering in Knoxville, Tennessee. This role places him at the nexus of new pedagogical research, reviewing and organizing cutting-edge poster presentations from researchers across the country.
- Media and Public Engagement: Recognizing the importance of accessible education in the digital age, Perna co-hosts the weekly podcast VocalFri alongside Sarah Welch Pigott. Distributed as part of NATSCast—the official podcast network of NATS—VocalFri explores pressing topics in vocal pedagogy, science, and professional life, serving as an invaluable educational resource for teachers and students worldwide.
Future Outlook: The Road to Philadelphia and Beyond
The awarding of the 2025 Van L. Lawrence Fellowship is not merely a recognition of past achievements; it is a catalyst for future discovery. Over the coming months, Dr. Perna, alongside graduate assistants Alice Del Simone and Benjamin South and clinical collaborator Dr. Joshua Glasner, will finalize data collection and analysis regarding velopharyngeal opening variability in treble singers.
The culmination of this phase of research will be unveiled on a prestigious international stage during the 54th Annual Symposium: Care of the Professional Voice, held in Philadelphia from May 28 through June 1, 2025. At this gathering, Perna will present his findings to a multidisciplinary audience of laryngologists, speech pathologists, voice scientists, and master teachers.
Broader Impacts on the Vocal Arts Industry
The implications of Perna’s study extend well into the future of the performing arts industry. As Musical Theater continues to demand increasingly athletic vocal feats from performers—often requiring long runs, eight shows a week, and intense emotional expression across diverse vocal registers—pedagogues face mounting pressure to provide safe, sustainable technical frameworks.
Traditional classical training models, while extraordinarily effective for unamplified acoustic performance, have historically struggled to fully explain or accommodate the acoustic and physiological nuances required by contemporary commercial music styles. By utilizing objective metrics such as VPO variability and vocal fold contact quotient, Perna’s research helps build a bridge between traditional pedagogy and modern science.
If the study successfully demonstrates how treble musical theater singers intentionally manipulate velopharyngeal opening to facilitate smooth transitions into mixed voice, the findings will rapidly find their way into university curricula, private voice studios, and clinical voice rehabilitation centers. Teachers will be equipped with precise, anatomically grounded tools to help students navigate high-register belting and mixing without incurring vocal damage.
As the vocal community looks toward the 2025 Symposium in Philadelphia, anticipation runs high. Dr. Nicholas Perna’s receipt of the Van L. Lawrence Fellowship ensures that his vital research will continue to illuminate the complex, beautiful mechanics of the human voice—honoring the legacy of Dr. Van L. Lawrence while charting a bold, scientifically rigorous path forward for the educators and performers of tomorrow.
