Cheryl Scappaticci, Voice and Flute Instructor

Cheryl Scappaticci, a graduate of Oak Ridge High School, was active in the Masquers drama program at the high school, and performed in Playhouse productions as well, and is still remembered for her upbeat and outgoing personality.

Following graduation in 1986, Scappaticci attended Cumberland College, where she majored in Music and Psychology, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Voice and Flute in 1991. For graduate work, she attended Colorado State University, earning a Master’s in Music Therapy. While a student, she was honored with several music scholarships and awards, including the Theodore Presser Music Award.

Between having earned her Master’s degree and her arrival in Oak Ridge, she acquired a rich history in teaching. At the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, in Michigan, she taught both voice and flute. She has also taught privately in Colorado and in New York.

A coloratura soprano, Scappaticci has performed in several operas, including Carmen, The Magic Flute and Gianni Schicchi. Oratorio experience includes such favorites as the Messiah, Elijah and Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater.

Scappaticci accepts students for vocal training from age 12 on up. Younger students may be accepted for singing lessons, with training built around a less challenging approach which includes instruction in style and presentation, pitch awareness and training, and learning to read music.

What’s included a typical vocal lesson? Scappaticci explains that since it’s the air that supports the sound and gets the vocal chords to vibrate, she puts working with breath control and support high on the list. After that, vocalises, or vocal exercises, come into play. These serve as warm-up exercises and are a prelude to applying the technique to music.

And what else might she include in lessons? “It depends on the student,” she explains. “For example, I always want my students to read music, even though some prefer to work strictly by ear.” And if they put on the brakes? “Oh, I’d still work with them but I’d really encourage them to learn to read,” she smiles. Aside from learning notation, Scappaticci fits the lessons to each student’s needs. Whether there’s an emphasis on technique or on learning music fundamentals, she can help her students enjoy vocal literature, whatever style they’re interested in, from opera to pop, church music or country music.

Scappaticci’s own specialty is opera and music theater, including Broadway. She has studied with two music theater teachers, one a Broadway performer, but over the past two years in New York, her main instructor was an internationally recognized operatic tenor and specialist in coloratura technique. She also enjoys Art Songs and Lieder and will also teach pop music and country.

How about rock music? “I don’t encourage anyone to tear their vocal chords out on hard rock,” she laughs. “If you’re going to sing rock, you’ll still have to learn to support your voice and know how to use the air correctly.”