Laura Rushing-Raynes

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Laura Rushing-Raynes is Head of Voice Studies in the Department of Music at Boise State University. A long-time practitioner of yoga and associated body-mind techniques such as Qi Gong, Dr. Rushing-Raynes is one of a growing number of professional voice teachers working to integrate these practices into mainstream use in the training of singers and teachers. She has recently completed Level II i-Rest/Yoga Nidra training through the Integrative Restoration Institute and incorporates i-Rest techniques and principles into her work with university music majors.

She has studied vocal pedagogy intensively with leading pedagogues including Richard Miller (not "i-Rest" Richard Miller) and Shirlee Emmons. Having also trained in the Nautilus Music Theatre program founded by Wesley Balk, she strives to cultivate a vibrant creative process and learning environment that engages the whole person – body, mind and spirit.

A soprano, Dr. Rushing-Raynes has appeared on concert, recital and opera stages in the continental United States, Hawaii, Great Britain, and Mexico. Although her repertoire encompasses a comprehensive array of styles, genres and composers, her most avid interest is in singing newer works by living composers – most recently a critically acclaimed run of Ricky Ian Gordon’s tour de force chamber opera Orpheus and Euridice, a collaboration between Opera Idaho, Idaho Dance Theatre, Boise State Faculty Artist Series and the Boise Art Museum. In 2009, she made her professional opera conducting debut in Opera Idaho’s production of Amahl and the Night Visitors, repeating the work in 2010 and 2011.

At Boise State, she heads the Voice Area in the Department of Music, teaches graduate and undergraduate voice, courses in vocal pedagogy, and co-directs Opera and Music Theatre programs. She holds an undergraduate degree in voice and violin performance from the University of Northern Colorado and masters and doctorate degrees in voice performance from the University of Arizona.

Send E-Mail to Dr. Rushing-Raynes (lraynes@boisestate.edu)
Phone: 208-426-1975

Teacher Specialty
College
Additional Teacher Specialty
Music