There’s a new face – and a new voice – on the Cape Symphony faculty! Meet Kristin Howard, a classically trained Soprano who teaches voice to young people and adults. Kristin focuses on developing students’ confidence in their unique abilities, while strengthening the basics of healthy vocal production and musicianship.
Kristin fell in love with music as a young student on Cape Cod. “There were just 42 people in my graduating class in Chatham,” she recalls. “We had no drama club, and just a four-person choir. But I was lucky. Back then, Cape Cod Opera did outreach in public schools. That was my introduction to opera. When I first saw Carmen, I was so affected by the ending! She throws his ring! He stabs her! And to hear these incredible voices… I’d never experienced anything like that.” Kristin was drawn to opera not just by the singing, but by “acting, drama, costumes, plots, motivations… it’s just like Netflix!” she laughs.
Coming from a small program did not hold her back one bit; Kristin earned her Bachelor’s in Vocal Performance from Boston University, and a Masters of Music in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon.
After graduating during the pandemic, she felt a homeward tug. “It was a surprisingly wonderful experience to see how many musical connections I still have here. It’s a small community, but so supportive and kind. People really care about music and the arts here. It’s really special. Growing up, I didn’t realize that it isn’t the norm!”
Creating performance opportunities for young people on the Cape is important to Kristin, as is working with older adults. She’s enthusiastic about ongoing research into music, health and neuroscience, and follows Renée Fleming’s advocacy in that field with interest.
Kristin cantors at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Harwich Port, and performs as a soloist throughout New England, including with the Chatham and Cape Cod Chorales. Outside work, she loves to sit back with a good book and “a chill cat. I love cats, especially older ones,” she says. “They’re in their own world, and it seems like a pretty nice world!” Asked what music she listens to on her own, Kristin says Taylor Swift and Esperanza Spalding are current favorites. “Taylor’s a good reminder for me,” she says. “In classical, we strive for perfection in every small detail, but there is so much more to music than singing perfectly.”
A voice lesson with Kristin might be spent “half on scales, and practicing how you’re creating the sound you want, and half working on the pieces you’d like to sing.” Opera, musical theater, modern music… whatever your interest, lessons will enable healthier, more sustainable practice, so that you can sing longer and more comfortably. Her students will develop skills in other areas, as well. “There is so much confidence to be found in developing your strengths, and improving what you can,” she says. “Singing in front of people can be very difficult at first, but it helps so much in life!”
Welcome aboard, Kristin!
Kristin Howard is currently accepting new students. To arrange a lesson, email
