Arts Council Welcomes New Vocal Instructors
BRAC Executive Director Jim Barber (center), welcomes Roger and Karen Bergford to the Historic Owen Theatre in Branson.
The Branson Regional Arts Council is proud to announce that Roger and Karen Bergford have begun accepting new vocal students as part of BRAC’s Conservatory of the Arts program at the Historic Owen Theatre. Offering both private and group vocal lessons, the Bergfords provide an impressive history of professional training and performance experience to new and advanced vocal students in the Branson area.
BRAC Vocal Instructors Roger & Karen Bergford
The Bergfords are now scheduling voice lessons for students of all ages in various styles from classical to musical theater, pop, jazz, gospel, and country. Classes are available in 30 or 60 minutes sessions, and are typically private, or as a group of 3 students together. Interested parents or students should contact the Branson Regional Arts Council at 417-336-4255 or info@bransonarts.org for more information of class scheduling and tuition rates.
Roger and Karen have over 30 years experience teaching both private and group vocal lessons. Roger earned his Bachelor of Music Education – Vocal Specialist from the University of Missouri in Kansas City, as well as graduate work in Vocal Performance from the University of Colorado – Boulder. Karen graduated with high honors from the University of Colorado – Boulder to earn her Bachelor of Music Education. Together they co-authored an industry book titled, “Sound & Language, the Defining Elements of the Complete Singer” in 2007.
After retiring as public school music educators in Colorado, the Bergfords moved to Branson in 2008 and began teaching 26 frontline singers in the Hughes Brothers “it” show, which won the Branson Show Award for “Best Show of the Year” (2009-2012). In addition to working with the Hughes family, the Bergfords have also taught singers from The Haygoods and Jim Stafford Show casts, a backup singer with Andy Williams, and Voices of Glory, the top 5 finalists of America’s Got Talent (2009) who worked with the Michael Jackson/Boyz II Men manager, Qadree El-Amin. In 2017, the Voices of Glory were named “Vocal Group of the Year,” receiving both the prestigious Terry Award and the Branson Show Award. Eighteen-year-old Nadia was named “Female Vocalist of the Year.” The Bergfords were even invited to host a master class on a Bahamas cruise alongside Michael Jackson’s voice teacher in 2012.
The Arts Council is excited to have the Bergfords join the BRAC Education faculty, and they are now accepting private vocal students from the Branson Tri-Lakes area who wish to train under their professional direction.
Faculty members of the BRAC Conservatory of the Arts include:
- Lloyd Alexander Holt – Director of Vocal Studies
- Kristen Dasto – Director of Dance Education
- Jacob Estes – Director of Theatre Education
- Roger & Karen Bergford – Vocal Instructors
All private and group classes are pre-scheduled and held at the Historic Owen Theatre in downtown Branson.
Students of any age who are interested in information regarding lessons in voice, dance or acting, are asked to contact the Branson Regional Arts Council at 417-336-4255 or info@bransonarts.org.
Click Here For High Resolution Promotional Photo of Roger and Karen Bergford with BRAC Executive Director Jim Barber
The Branson Regional Arts Council was founded in 1965 as the “Taney Arts Council,” and officially established 501 (c)(3) non-profit status as “Branson Arts Council, Inc.” in 1993.
Our mission is “to create exceptional artistic, cultural and educational opportunities for our community.”
Financial support is provided by BRAC members, theatre patrons, private donors, as well as additional grant support from the Missouri Arts Council and other organizations.
BRAC, PO Box 2004, Branson, MO 65615
