Voice Professor Scores National Coaching Honor
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 10, 2009) − Cliff Jackson, associate
professor of voice and vocal coach in the University of Kentucky School of Music, has been
named 2009 Coach of the Year by the magazine Classical Singer.
"I'm just really very shocked and humbled," Jackson told the magazine upon being notified of the honor. "I am very grateful."
Jackson, who has more than 30 years of experience collaborating with singers at all levels, has performed numerous prestigious venues in the world playing with some of the most famous singers. But the magazine's recognition is more due to the fact that finding someone like Jackson, "a coach-accompanist with a thorough knowledge of the singer's voice, languages, style, and the history of the singing profession is truly to find a treasure," as noted in the article "Practice Makes Perfect" by UK alumnus Jason Vest.
Since Jackson's arrival at UK in 1992, the vocal coach has been an integral part of the success achieved by the UK Opera Theatre program and its individual student vocalists.
"He's the voice in my head that refuses to settle for anything but the very best I can possibly achieve," UK doctoral student Sarah Downs told the magazine. "He's the voice in my head when I know I haven't gotten deep enough under the character's skin. He's the voice in my head when I need to believe in myself and my abilities as a musician, performer, and scholar."
Jackson, a native of Gary, Ind., received his bachelor of music degree from Oberlin Conservatory of Music and pursued graduate studies at the Manhattan School of Music. Cited for his sensitive accompaniments and insightful musicianship, Jackson has been the pianist for such internationally renowned artists as Kathleen Battle, Renato Scotto, Simon Estes, Edda Moser, Felicia Weathers and Gwendolyn Bradley. His skill as a collaborative artist has earned Jackson a place on the stages of Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Wierner Musikverein, the Teatro Colon and the Royal Opera House's Covent Garden.
Jackson was awarded a coaching fellowship by the American Opera Center at the Julliard School, where he was a coach for two years. He was also the recipient of the Gramma Fisher Scholarship by the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. Jackson studied with such esteemed pianists as Leon Bates, Frances Walker, Martin Katz and Warren George Wilson.
Jackson is known as an outstanding coach of vocal repertoire ranging in scope from Baroque through 20th century opera, in addition to a breadth of song literature encompassing the vastly divergent stylistic periods. He has performed as a solo pianist for the Dance Theatre of Harlem and acted as pianist, organist and harpsichordist while on musical staffs of Miami Opera, Tulsa Opera and the Mobile Opera. Additionally, Jackson previously served as head coach for the Central City Opera festival during 1995 and 1997, and as the coach and accompanist for the Chautauqua Opera Festival.
Classical Singer magazine began in 1988 as The New York Opera Newsletter providing in-depth insights about the area's opera scene. Interest in the newsletter grew and demand for more information by opera and classical singers from around the world stimulated a transformation of the publication to Classical Singer magazine. Today, it is the premier magazine for classical singers and its Web site is the online gathering spot for the classical singer community posting up-to-the minute listings of auditions and competitions; online directories of singers, teachers, coaches and summer training programs; and more than 200 forums.
"I'm just really very shocked and humbled," Jackson told the magazine upon being notified of the honor. "I am very grateful."
Jackson, who has more than 30 years of experience collaborating with singers at all levels, has performed numerous prestigious venues in the world playing with some of the most famous singers. But the magazine's recognition is more due to the fact that finding someone like Jackson, "a coach-accompanist with a thorough knowledge of the singer's voice, languages, style, and the history of the singing profession is truly to find a treasure," as noted in the article "Practice Makes Perfect" by UK alumnus Jason Vest.
Since Jackson's arrival at UK in 1992, the vocal coach has been an integral part of the success achieved by the UK Opera Theatre program and its individual student vocalists.
"He's the voice in my head that refuses to settle for anything but the very best I can possibly achieve," UK doctoral student Sarah Downs told the magazine. "He's the voice in my head when I know I haven't gotten deep enough under the character's skin. He's the voice in my head when I need to believe in myself and my abilities as a musician, performer, and scholar."
Jackson, a native of Gary, Ind., received his bachelor of music degree from Oberlin Conservatory of Music and pursued graduate studies at the Manhattan School of Music. Cited for his sensitive accompaniments and insightful musicianship, Jackson has been the pianist for such internationally renowned artists as Kathleen Battle, Renato Scotto, Simon Estes, Edda Moser, Felicia Weathers and Gwendolyn Bradley. His skill as a collaborative artist has earned Jackson a place on the stages of Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Wierner Musikverein, the Teatro Colon and the Royal Opera House's Covent Garden.
Jackson was awarded a coaching fellowship by the American Opera Center at the Julliard School, where he was a coach for two years. He was also the recipient of the Gramma Fisher Scholarship by the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. Jackson studied with such esteemed pianists as Leon Bates, Frances Walker, Martin Katz and Warren George Wilson.
Jackson is known as an outstanding coach of vocal repertoire ranging in scope from Baroque through 20th century opera, in addition to a breadth of song literature encompassing the vastly divergent stylistic periods. He has performed as a solo pianist for the Dance Theatre of Harlem and acted as pianist, organist and harpsichordist while on musical staffs of Miami Opera, Tulsa Opera and the Mobile Opera. Additionally, Jackson previously served as head coach for the Central City Opera festival during 1995 and 1997, and as the coach and accompanist for the Chautauqua Opera Festival.
Classical Singer magazine began in 1988 as The New York Opera Newsletter providing in-depth insights about the area's opera scene. Interest in the newsletter grew and demand for more information by opera and classical singers from around the world stimulated a transformation of the publication to Classical Singer magazine. Today, it is the premier magazine for classical singers and its Web site is the online gathering spot for the classical singer community posting up-to-the minute listings of auditions and competitions; online directories of singers, teachers, coaches and summer training programs; and more than 200 forums.