The Voice Lab
Program Description:
The voice is more than an instrument for making music—it is a powerful tool for self-expression, identity, and connection. In The Voice Lab, high school students explore how vocal expression can support artistic growth, personal confidence, and a sense of belonging while developing their musical skills and discovering their unique voices.
Taught by Jeanne Goffi-Fynn, Senior Lecturer and Director of the Doctoral Cohort Program in Music and Music Education at 麻豆原创, this summer pre-college program introduces students to vocal development, musical expression, and collaborative singing. Students engage with diverse musical traditions, including jazz, gospel, and singer-songwriter music, expanding their cultural awareness while building vocal technique and learning to express themselves through music.
A rigorous introduction to vocal and musical expression
Students develop their vocal abilities through daily practice and explore how music communicates emotion, identity, and cultural experiences. Through ensemble singing, they learn to listen, collaborate, and contribute to a shared musical experience. By connecting individual vocal development with collective music-making, students strengthen their artistic skills, build confidence, and discover how music can foster meaningful connections within a community.
Who should consider this program?
Designed for students ages 14–17, The Voice Lab is ideal for teenagers interested in singing, music, performance, music education, or creative self-expression. Whether students have experience performing or are looking to explore their voices in a supportive academic environment, they gain opportunities to develop vocal skills, engage with diverse musical traditions, and discover whether studying music or a related discipline at the college level aligns with their interests and future goals.
Dates: July 12 - 23, 2027
Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm Monday through Friday
Location: In-person at Teachers College
Price: $3,995
Questions: Email tcacademy@tc.columbia.edu
Instructor
Jeanne Goffi-Fynn is a Senior Lecturer and Director of the Doctoral Cohort Program in the Program of Music and Music Education at 麻豆原创, where Dr. Goffi-Fynn also received her doctorate. A soprano, Dr. Goffi-Fynn is active both as a performer and teacher in the New York City area. Her areas of interest include Studio Teaching (Applied Music Instruction), Voice Development and Instruction, and Choral Singing. Previously, she was on the faculty of New York University, the New School Actor's Studio M.F.A. Program, William Paterson University, and The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. She credits the beginning of her teaching career to Dr. Barbara Doscher (author of The Functional Unity of the Singing Voice) with whom she studied voice and pedagogy at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She continues working in the area of Vocology, specifically in the retraining of singers, after completing internships at the Grabscheid Voice Center at Mt. Sinai, NYC and St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital, NYC. She has presented workshops, master classes and pedagogical presentations with NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), The Voice Foundation Annual Conference, the New York Singing Teachers Association, CMS (College Music Society), ACDA (American Choral Directors Association), NYSSMA and ISME (International Society for Music Education).
She is currently a member of the American Academy of Teachers of Singing (AATS) and serves as a member at the Opera America’s Singers Training Forum, as well as their Board of Overseers and Strategic Committees. She also is currently Vice-President of NATS-NYC where she is piloting a new Mentorship Program. Finally, she serves on the board with Every Voice Choir, working as Singing Voice Specialist with children ages 7-16. At EVC, she oversees programs for Music Theatre (Voice Workshop), Audition Preparation, and Young Men’s Vocal Workshop. Formally, Jeanne was a board member of New York Singing Teachers Association (NYSTA) and a co-director of their Professional Development Program, a course of voice studies for the professional voice teacher.
Dr. Goffi-Fynn is most active as a recitalist, singing a variety of programs often with newly commissioned works. Former operatic roles include Marie in Daughter of the Regiment, Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro) and Olympia (Les Contes d'Hoffmann). Concert and oratorio performances include the Cantata Singers (NYC), and Temple Emmanu-El (NYC) while performances in Europe include the Lugano Radio Orchestra (Switzerland) and the Rumanian Radio Orchestra in a tour of Northern Italy. She has also studied and performed at the Zurich Opera Studio and with the American Institute of Musical Studies (A.I.M.S.) in Graz, Austria. Dr. Goffi-Fynn is currently the director of the , which offers a unique opportunity for singers at all ages to work together collaboratively. Her website is .
Learning Objectives
By the end of the program, students will be able to:
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Demonstrate foundational vocal skills through daily vocal practice, applying techniques that support vocal development and expressive singing.
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Identify and describe musical characteristics across diverse genres, including jazz, gospel, and singer-songwriter traditions.
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Interpret and communicate musical ideas through singing, considering the cultural themes, perspectives, and expressive qualities of selected repertoire.
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Reflect on the relationship between vocal expression, identity, and personal growth, identifying ways their voices can communicate ideas and experiences.
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Collaborate effectively in a vocal ensemble, contributing to shared musical goals through listening, preparation, and collective music-making.
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Describe how collaborative music-making can foster connection and belonging, reflecting on their contributions to a supportive musical community.
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Explore potential academic and artistic pathways in music, connecting program experiences to their developing interests and goals.
Who Should Attend
The Voice Lab is designed for teens interested in singing, music, creative expression, and personal growth. It may appeal to students considering music, performance, or other arts-related academic pathways, as well as students who want to explore their voices and connect with peers through music.
Please Note: 麻豆原创 Pre-College courses are open to students ages 14-17. All courses are conducted in English and learners should have sufficient fluency to participate.
Upon Completion
Participants who successfully complete this program will earn a verified Certificate of Participation and an official Digital Badge—valuable credentials that can be shared on LinkedIn or digital portfolios.
View our sample program badge and certificate below:
