Nancy Schmidt, voice Artist Diploma, The Juilliard School S.M.M., Union Theological Seminary School of Sacred Music B.M., Park College "I analyzes each students’ strengths and reinforces them so the student will be encouraged and develop confidence. I believe anyone can sing better today than he or she did yesterday." “I wanted to study piano more than anything in the world, but it wasn’t until I was twelve that my family could afford lessons and a piano,” says Nancy Schmidt of her early desire to learn music. Nancy pursued piano studies until college when she began voice lessons. “My first choice was to study piano, but I had always sung, and finally decided in college to really learn how.” After college, Nancy went on to study voice and choral conducting at the Union Seminary School of Sacred Music. As a teacher, Nancy “analyzes each students’ strengths and reinforces them so the student will be encouraged and develop confidence. I also work to address areas that need more attention, building musicianship skills little by little and emphasizing the importance of an overall understanding of music. I believe anyone can sing better today than he or she did yesterday.” Nancy’s studio at Bloomingdale includes older children as well as adult students. She encourages younger children to first experience singing in a group situation, “learning to listen, experiencing rhythm and occasionally using the solo voice. For children under twelve, private voice lessons are too intense and the voice is too immature to see much progress.” Nancy enjoys performing both classical and popular music including Brahms, Ravel, Debussy, Kern and Gershwin. She also likes listening to classic rock groups such as Pink Floyd, the Eagles, and The Rolling Stones. Nancy cites her mother as one of her major life influences because “she made it possible for me to study against overwhelming odds.” Nancy’s grandfather, an Oklahoma pioneer, was also a great influence on her growing up. “He loved the stage and made performing part of our family life. I have very early memories of the whole family dressing up in costume and playing Charades. My grandfather took me to my first live show and taught me that performing should be fun.” A faculty member at Bloomingdale for over 38 years, Nancy has had many memorable experiences at the school. “I remember two outstanding students who had a winning combination of fine voice, musical talent and drive. But just as rewarding were the students I’ve taught who couldn’t stay on pitch and had no idea how to produce their voices but who improved, some a little and some a lot, and were thrilled out of their minds at what they accomplished.”