Utah Vocal Arts Academy
Unleash Your Vocal Potential, Train With the Best
Our Teachers
Vocal Training at UVAA
Our specialty is providing the highest quality vocal lessons to singers of all styles, ages, and skill levels.
Teachers:
Our teachers have been hand-picked by Dr. Hurtado for their excellence in music and performing, their dedication to quality education, and their passion for strengthening others through music. They each have or are pursuing degrees in vocal performance or music education. They are also fantastic singers themselves, who perform regularly on professional, university, and community stages. They are excellent technicians and great people!
Lesson options:
Whether you want training in Classical, Musical Theater, or Popular music styles, UVAA has qualified teachers who specialize in each genre. Browse our faculty bios below to learn more about our excellent teachers.
No experience necessary:
You do not need prior experience to take lessons with us, just a desire to sing better! Our students range from professional singers and national competition winners to hobbyists and beginners of all ages.
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Pricing:
Lessons cost between $25-130, depending on the teacher and the length of the lesson. Click here for detailed policies and pricing.
To find out if lessons at UVAA are right for you, fill out our application form and a member of our staff will contact you shortly to schedule a lesson.
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Dr. Isaac Hurtado
Director, UVAA
Classical/Opera
DM, Voice Performance,
Florida State University
MM, Voice Performance,
Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
BM, Voice Performance,
Brigham Young University
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Dr. Hurtado has limited openings (by audition only) typically for high school-aged singers or adults with an interest in classical singing. Ask about scholarships!
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Dr. Hurtado's former students include 2 national winners, 4 national semifinalists/Rocky Mountain regional winners, and 4 Utah District winners in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions since 2017. His students have performed with Santa Fe Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Central City Opera, Des Moines Opera, Ohio Light Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Utah Opera, and many others. They have been admitted into nearly every major vocal program in the country including The Juilliard School, Curtis Institute, Manhattan School of Music, Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music, New England Conservatory, Boston Conservatory, San Francisco Conservatory, Peabody Conservatory, Brigham Young University, Roosevelt Conservatory, Boston University, The Cleveland Institute and many more.
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Dr. Hurtado also enjoys a varied career as a professional singer, voice teacher, and stage director. He has performed over 30 operatic roles and has appeared in numerous concerts across the country and in Italy. He is best known for his 'honey-toned' voice that 'caresses the ear,' 'money notes worth every penny,' and 'convincing' and 'heartfelt' acting portrayals. Key roles have included Rodolfo in La Bohème, Romèo in Romèo et Juliette, Duke in Rigoletto, Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor, Tamino in The Magic Flute, Alfredo in La Traviata, Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, and Werther in Werther.
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Dr. Hurtado is currently serving as Associate Professor of Voice and Director of Opera at Utah Valley University.
Marina Costa-Jackson
Opera, Classical
Academy of Vocal Arts (Philadelphia)
Marina Costa-Jackson is an Italian-American soprano of international acclaim. She's a Met winner, an Operalia winner, and a 2016 graduate of the famed Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. Recently Marina was featured as Mimì (La bohème) at the Noorda Center of Performing Arts alongside local professionals and UVU students. She is a fabulous teacher and performer for those interested in the classical arts!
Logan Reid
Classical, Musical Theatre
MM Vocal Performance, Wichita State University
Logan Reid, Tenor, is a passionate and versatile performer who recently received his Master of
Music in Vocal Performance at Wichita State University, where he studied under the esteemed
guidance of internationally acclaimed opera singers Michael Sylvester and Alan Held. While in
his graduate studies, he performed the roles of Don Basilio (Le Nozze di Figaro) and Father
Vaillent (December Nights).
A recent graduate of Brigham Young University, Mr. Reid spent five years performing with
BYU’s opera theater, where he brought to life a range of roles including Danilo Danilovitch (The
Merry Widow), Gabriel von Eisenstein (Die Fledermaus), Prince Phillippe (A Dinner
Engagement).
His other notable projects include serving as a studio singer for the filmed production of Rob
Gardner’s Lamb of God: The Movie, and being a founding member of the Santos Chamber
Singers under the direction of Matthew Paez.
Outside of music, Mr. Reid is an avid weightlifter and hiker. He currently resides in Orem Utah,
where he continues to develop his craft and musicianship.
Taci Miner
Musical Theatre, Classical,
Pop/Contemporary, Jazz
BA, Vocal Performance, UVU
Taci is a musician of many talents, having studied and sung varieties of music ranging from opera, musical theater, jazz and even R&B. She has 12 years of choral experience and has performed in over 30 stage productions of musicals and plays. Her favorite roles include "Eponine" in Les Miserables, "Mabel" in The Pirates of Penzance", "Martha" in The Secret Garden and "Molly" in Ghost: The Musical.
Taci graduated in May with a BA with an emphasis in Vocal Performance at Utah Valley University, and there she was a member of the top performance Chamber Choir and commercial vocal group, Soulscape. She was also part of the UVU Opera program, with stage role credits including "Belinda" in Purcell's Dido and Aenaea, "Olympia" in Les Contes d'Hoffman" and most recently, "Gretel" in Hansel und Gretel.
"My teaching philosophy involves creating a supportive and nurturing environment in which students can explore their vocal potential. I believe in building lesson plans to meet the unique needs and goals of each student, whether they are beginners looking to start their vocal journey or experienced singers seeking to refine their skills. I provide a place where students can be excited about the things they are learning!"
Bethany Rasmussen
General Voice, Classical, Musical Theatre, Contemporary, Jazz
BA Vocal Performance, UVU (in progress)
Bethany started taking music lessons when she was five, and has loved developing and showcasing her talents ever since. Some of her favorite roles include Nancy in "Oliver!", Little Red Riding Hood in "Into the Woods", and Golde in "Fiddler on the Roof". Bethany was a proud member of the Copper Hills Choirs and had the privilege of serving as their Student Director and Concert Choir accompanist during her senior year. She was also a Sterling Scholar State Finalist in the Vocal Performance category. Bethany has recently completed her Associate of Science in Music from UVU. As a part of that achievement, she was honored to be selected as the Valedictorian for the Associates Degree for the School of the Arts. During her time at UVU, she performed as Sandman in UVU's Opera production of "Hansel and Gretel" and was a member of the UVU Chamber Choir for the 2023-2024 school year.
Bethany is eager to create a healthy, welcoming environment to introduce a new generation of singers to the wonderful world of music. As an intermediate piano player, she is equipped to accompany singers when needed. She is always happy to share her tips on auditioning, overcoming stage fright, and becoming more confident as a performer.
Katherine Cox
General Voice, Musical Theatre, Pop, Contemporary, Classical
BA Vocal Performance, UVU
Katherine has recently graduated from Utah Valley University in their Vocal Performance Program. She has performed in many operas, musicals, and
competitions throughout her singing career and taught private lessons in previous years. She is overjoyed to work with her students and help them grow within their music abilities, to create vast
opportunities for their future.
Katherine is ready to put her pedagogical experience to use, and guide her students to become excellent performers and music
theorists.
She aspires to create a fun atmosphere that feels safe for her students all while building them into healthy and beautiful performers.
Ciara Brown
Pop/Contemporary
Ciara obtained her bachelor's degree in Commercial Music with an emphasis in contemporary voice from UVU in the spring of 2022. While there she also obtained a Music Technology certificate. She is trained and practiced in many areas including; vocal technique, performance, music theory, piano, songwriting, music tech and studio recording. She excels in teaching contemporary/pop, jazz, soul/R&B, and musical theater. She tailors each lesson to fit the students unique, individual needs and prioritizes proper vocal technique to promote vocal longevity, health, and ability.
Ciara has been teaching voice for 7 years and has enjoyed all of the experiences it has brought her. Ciara teaches mostly contemporary/pop style vocals but also enjoys teaching musical theater styles. She believes that each lesson should be different and tailored to fit the individual student's needs and wants. Ciara strongly believes in the importance of proper singing technique. Her main focus in her lessons is teaching the vocalist how to confidently sing in a healthy way that not only improves the quality, sound, and ability of the voice but at the same time promotes vocal health and longevity.
BM Commercial Voice, UVU