Florence Birdwell, Singing Teacher to Broadway Stars, Dies at 96
She was a tough yet empathetic voice professor at Oklahoma City University for 67 years. Two of her students, Kelli O’Hara and Kristin Chenoweth, won Tony Awards.
The voice teacher Florence Birdwell in 2015. She helped her students unlock the mysteries of captivating an audience.Credit.Julieta Cervantes for The New York Times
Feb. 25, 2021
Florence Birdwell, an inspiring voice teacher whose many students included the Tony Award-winning musical stars Kelli O’Hara and Kristin Chenoweth, died on Feb. 15 in Yukon, Okla. She was 96.
Her death, in an assisted living facility, was confirmed by her son Brian.
Transcendent Spirits: Lift 40 Voices and Dance
Streaming highlights: the New York Chorale Society, Ronald K. Brown/Evidence and City Ballet’s ‘Prodigal Son.’
Larissa Gerszke and Chalvar Monteiro in Claudia Schreier’s duet to “God Is Seen at the Irondale, a church turned performance space, in Brooklyn.Credit.via New York Choral Society
By Marina Harss
Watching: New York Choral Society, ‘God Is Seen’
Like dance and the other performing arts, choral singing has had a tough year. Singing is breath, breath carries germs, and these days large groups of people singing together is the stuff of nightmares. But the urge to raise voices in song together, like the urge to move to music, is powerful. Now, the New York Choral Society is combining the two dance and song in a new short film to be released on Feb. 23.
What is your typical day like now?
Itâs been a shock to the system, because in a normal year, Iâm traveling most of the time. Fortunately, I moved to the D.C. area just before the pandemic began, and I have been busy landscaping and otherwise organizing repairs on a new/old house.
What book/TV show/podcast/film should everyone take the time to consume during this period?
Last Week Tonight with Jon Oliver is a favorite. I also found the Netflix documentary
The Social Dilemma to be alarming. And, I recommend Dr. Vivek Murthyâs new book,