Educator

  • Sweets by Kate- The Opera Theatre at Ohio State

    Opera on the Lake - The Opera Theatre at Ohio State

    My Favorite Sings: An Evening With Rodgers & Hammerstein - OSU Lyric & Opera Theatre

    Songs of Hope Concert Series- Washburn Opera Theatre

    Songs of Women Concert Series - Washburn Opera Theatre

    Songs of Love Concert Series - Washburn Opera Theatre

    Opera Gala - Washburn Opera Theatre

    Once Upon A Time - Washburn Opera Theatre

    Hänsel & Gretel - Washburn Opera Theatre

    Pirates of Penzance - Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Kansas

    Opera Gala - Washburn Opera Theatre

    Sweets by Kate - Washburn Opera Theatre

    Celebrating 100 Years of Leonard Bernstein- Washburn Opera Theatre

    Opera Scenes Program- Lyric Theatre @ Illinois • Staged scenes from Cosi Fan Tutte (Act I Duet, Recit, Trio) & La Cenerentola (Act 1)

  • The Happy Elf - CCT

    Newsies - CCT

    80th Celebration - Vaud-Villities Productions

    Santa’s Workshop - Vaud-Villities Productions

    Frog & Toad - Washburn Theatre

    Pirates of Penzance - GASS-Kan

    Songs of Hope Concert Series Washburn Opera Theatre

    Songs of Women Concert Series Washburn Opera Theatre

    Songs of Love Concert Series Washburn Opera Theatre

    Opera Gala 2020 Washburn Opera Theatre

    Once Upon A Time Washburn Opera Theatre

    Hänsel & Gretel Washburn Opera Theatre

    War Paint Washburn Theatre

    Opera Gala 2019 Washburn Opera Theatre

    Sweets by Kate Washburn Opera Theatre

    Celebrating 100 Years Of Leonard Bernstein Washburn Opera Theatre

    Ruddigore - Michigan Opera Theatre

    HMS Pinafore - Michigan Opera Theatre

    Pirates of Penzance - Michigan Opera Theatre

    Patience - Michigan Opera Theatre

  • In the studio, it is my job to create a fun, safe, and welcoming working environment where vocalists feel the freedom to try new things without judgment. Lessons need to be filled with laughter for their honest voice to come through and to allow them to be comfortable with new techniques.

    Through physical and vocal exercises, singers embark on a journey to discover and unleash their unique instruments. Technique is honed through repetition and a solid grasp of the voice-body connection, bridging different genres and empowering vocalists with full control over their classical, musical theatre, and contemporary voices.

    Singers must grow as people and as artists during their tenure of study. Cultivating vocalists as learners and as empowered individuals allows for their unique voice and life experiences to come through in their performances.

    This cross-disciplinary approach cultivates understanding, learning, and personal growth, as singers evolve into versatile performers. Those in voice lessons receive comprehensive training as health-conscious, scientifically-informed performers, empowering them to make artistic choices beyond the studio.

  • National Association of Teachers of Singing

    The Jazz Education Network

    Sigma Alpha Iota

    Pi Kappa Lambda

    The National Opera Association.

    Estill Voice Training®

  • Dr. Brooks has had the privilege of teaching a diverse range of students, that go on to be established professionals working within their chosen industry.

    Students regularly place within the NATS Auditions for Classical, Musical Theatre, and the new Commercial Music Categories. They also been Marquee Finalists (within the Jimmy Award), and attend prestigious young artist programs such as The Song Book Academy, Interlochen, etc.

    With her guidance and mentoring, students affiliated with the studio have gone on to be accepted into some of the top Music and Theatre programs in the country for their bachelor, masters or doctorates. Some of these programs include Indiana University, New York University, University of California Los Angles, Carnegie Mellon, University of Southern California, Vanderbilt University, Miami Frost School of Music, The Ohio State University, Villanova University, Ball State University, and The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Dr. Lara Brooks is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Voice & Lyric Theatre at The University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. Her studio focus spans classical, musical theatre, jazz, and contemporary commercial music (CCM) genres, where she employs the Estill Voice Method to teach empowered, healthy crossover singing. In addition to her teaching role, Dr. Brooks is an in demand music and stage director within the regional theatre and opera scene.

As a contemporary voice specialist, Dr. Brooks frequently presents workshops regarding flexible voice technique and cross-training of vocalists. Sessions ranging from “Crossing Genres: A Classical Singer’s Guide to Jazz”, “I’m Not Singing Opera Today”, to “Healthy Belting Techniques for Classical Singers”, "Finding Your Belt Through Colors", and “Utilizing EVT for Healthy Jazz Voice Pedagogy” have been presented at The International Congress of Voice Teachers in Stockholm, Sweden, & Vienna, Austria The National Association of Teachers of Singing, The National Opera Association, Kansas Music Education Association, Jazz Education Network, and to universities and high schools throughout the nation. This past summer, she presented at the 2023 Estill World Voice Symposium in Vienna, Austria on the topic of utilizing Estill in the University Classroom.

Dr. Brooks has garnered extensive experience as a distinguished guest clinician at universities, high schools, music schools, and competitions across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Her unwavering commitment to nurturing the development of aspiring musicians of all ages and abilities manifests through her dedication in preparing them for successful careers. She has had the privilege of teaching a diverse range of students, that go on to be established professionals working within their chosen industry. Her students regularly place within the NATS Auditions for Classical, Musical Theatre, and the new Commercial Music Categories as well as Classical Singer.

With her guidance and mentoring, students affiliated with the studio have gone on to be accepted into some of the top Music and Theatre programs in the country for their bachelor, masters or doctorates. Programs include New York University, Jacobs School of Music Indiana University, University of California Los Angles, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Southern California, Vanderbilt University, Miami Frost School of Music, The Ohio State University, & Ball State University.

Driven by a profound passion for functional voice and pedagogy, Dr. Brooks actively fosters an environment where vocalists are encouraged to explore the full spectrum of musical genres, empowering them to emerge as vocal athletes. Her research pursuits revolve around the continual enhancement of school of music curricula, aiming to align educational programs with the dynamic industry demands faced by vocalists and the ever-evolving landscape of music.

 She previously taught at The Ohio State University as a Lecturer of Voice and as the Director of Opera, Washburn University where she served as The Voice Area Chair, Director of Opera Studies, and the Musical Theatre Liaison, The University of Illinois Springfield as an Adjunct Professor of Voice, Friends University as an affiliate voice faculty in Musical Theatre Voice & Jazz, Millikin University as an Adjunct Instructor of Voice, Voice Faculty at CCT in Columbus, Ohio, and served as the Vocal Coach / Music Director at the Michigan Opera Theatre (currently the Detroit Opera House) for their Operetta Workshops.

To inquire about engaging Dr. Brooks for a lecture on technique, healthy singing, stylistic interpretation, audition preparation, acting the song, and choral workshops please submit an inquiry. To schedule a voice lesson, please click the book a lesson link below.

What students are saying!

  • Taylor Molt

    Actor/Singer/Writer MA Theatre Villanova University

    Over the past five years that I have worked with Dr. Brooks, she has helped me to grow my voice stronger, healthier and more confident than I could have imagined before. Her enthusiasm and passion for educating and coaching is inspiring, and I always look forward to our lessons. I can confidently say that I am a braver and better performer because I studied under her.

  • Eric Sand

    Eric Sand

    Actor/Singer/Teaching Artist MM & Advanced Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy, New York University

    Dr. Brooks has been such a gem to find here in central Ohio after returning from many years away in NYC and LA. She is incredibly knowledgeable, easy to communicate with, very responsive, and is helping me feel even stronger in my own vocal coordination. What I appreciate the most is that she is friendly and approachable. Kindness and trust goes a long way in this business!

  • Singer

    Jordan Popovsky

    Singer BA in Vocal Performance 2025 The Ohio State University

    I have been taking lessons with Dr. Brooks for almost three years now and have grown exponentially in my singing abilities since freshman year. For my degree, I focus on classical singing, but I also love cross training in areas such as contemporary, musical theatre and jazz, which Dr. Brooks has always supported me. Working with Dr. Brooks has been such a wonderful experience. She is progressive, ambitious, and driven to be involved in all types of things, from jazz to classical singing to music directing! I appreciate her ambition and effort to be well rounded, because I am the same way and that encourages me to keep going with all the things I am involved in.

    Dr. Brooks is a wonderful teacher and a wonderful human. She will push you, but she will never make you feel bad or hopeless if you can't get something right. She sees the potential in everyone and is willing to try different teaching styles and methods to find what makes the most sense to her students. Overall, I feel privileged to have Dr. Brooks as my teacher, and I would recommend any singer of any level to work with her.

  • Ava Gilley

    Singer BME The Ohio State University 2027

    Dr. Brooks is an extraordinary voice teacher and artistic mentor that has helped me develop my musical abilities in several different genres as a student at The Ohio State. As a Music Education major, I am required to be trained in classical music, but have a deep interest in jazz vocals. She continuously supports my increasing interests in jazz while ensuring I gain a thorough education in classical music, going above and beyond to recommend additional lessons with other faculty to create a better understanding of jazz as a genre. Dr. Brooks' musical knowledge and mastery of contrasting genres has been ideal for my educational pursuits at The Ohio State; I couldn't have wished for a better mentor!

  • Julia Ruddy

    Singer/Actor BM University of Southern California 2027

    I feel so fortunate to have Dr. Brooks as a teacher. Dr. Brooks encourages cross training in the voice studio, where she teaches me to sing musical theatre and classical repertoire in a healthy way. She was instrumental in my acceptance at USC Thornton to study vocal performance and opera as an undergraduate. I couldn't have achieved everything that I have without her valuable help!

  • Madison Meeks

    Singer/Educator Masters of Music Kansas State University

    Lessons with Dr. Brooks are very enjoyable! During lessons she the student the ability to ask multiple questions. She always gives direct and positive feedback while finding ways to describe techniques that relates to each student. It’s always been a comfortable environment and I look forward to my lessons every week!

  • Karen Cook Sahlin

    Singer/Actor

    Dr. Brooks provided me with a safe environment to help me discover all the things my voice is capable of. She has an endless source of ideas and resources to achieve the best results. I always leave my lessons feeling like I can sing anything, and feeling like I can do it healthily. I would recommend Dr. Brooks to anyone who wants to grow as an artist, from beginners to professionals!