“I want my studio to feel in-part like an experimentation lab; where my students can make different sounds with their voices without fear of judgment. This is all done in a safe and encouraging environment…reinforced by 22 years of experience and science-based pedagogy.”
-Beth Munce
The following are paramount in my teaching:
Meeting each and every student exactly where they are and help them grow
Teaching with tried and true science-based pedagogy
Building a solid and artistic age-appropriate vocal technique, which can be used in all genres of singing
Sharing tools and techniques to build self-reliant soloists/performers
Developing song interpretation, acting skills, and refined foreign language diction
Preparation for vocal competitions, college auditions, musical try-outs, and varied performances
Beth’s Teaching Biography
In 2022, Beth received a Certificate of Distinction for completing Boston Conservatory’s Vocal Pedagogy Professional Workshop. Beth received her MM in Vocal Performance from UMKC’s Conservatory of Music in 2006 and her BM in Vocal Performance from Idaho State University in 2003. Beth began teaching privately in 2003 and has actively maintained a studio of approximately 30 students. Beth’s students consistently make her very proud of their accomplished performances at District, State, and National level singing competitions. Beth’s students are consistently selected to sing in All-State and All-District choirs, and several of her students have advanced to the national level and subsequently the semi-final round at The Classical Singer Magazine Vocal Competition. Many of Beth’s students have received large scholarships to colleges and universities including The Juilliard School, Boston Conservatory, Manhattan School of Music, Westminster Choir College, Pepperdine University, St. Olaf Choir College, Luther College, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City University, UMKC Conservatory of Music, University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Missouri State University, University of Missouri, and DePauw. In 2023, Beth co-presented at the Colorado ACDA Convention on “Vocal Pedagogy in the Classroom” and was brought in to co-clinic with her husband, Chris, at Kalispell High School. Beth will be co-presenting at Nevada ACDA in 2025. Beth can be heard “talking shop” on several episodes of her husband Chris’ popular podcast, Choralosophy.
Beth Performing Biography
Beth Kakacek-Munce, coloratura soprano, is renowned for her “beautifully effortless” and “stunning” singing. Beth loves performing solo repertoire and choral chamber music. Beth has performed with Kantorei of Kansas City since its inception in 2009 and has been a featured soloist on Kantorei’s albums Music and Sweet Poetry and the critically acclaimed, To Bethlehem, both of which were produced by the London-based label, Resonus Classics. Kantorei KC performed as a featured ensemble at the National ACDA Convention in 2019 in the opening ceremonies and also performed the United States premier of Will Todd’s Passion Music: Jazz Missa Brevis; Beth was featured as a soloist in both performances.
Beth enjoyed her time performing with the Grammy-award winning Kansas City Chorale from 2006-2010 and loved lending her voice to the Grammy nominated The Sacred Works of Joseph Reinberger. Beth was also a founding member of the nationally renowned Early Music Ensemble, Armonia, under the direction of Dr. Ryan Board. Beth was consistently a featured soloist with Armonia and was featured at the Piccolo-Spoleto Festival in 2006 and 2007 and The National ACDA convention in 2007, where Armonia performed as a featured ensemble.
Projects Beth has enjoyed lending her voice to include performing the production of the Medieval musical play of “Daniel” under the direction of the brilliant early music scholar, Anne Azema, which was a collaboration with Boston Camerata and KC’s Te Deum Antiqua. Beth performed the soprano solos for Handel’s Dixit Dominus under the baton of Dr. Jacob Narverud, the soprano solos for The Biber Requiem under the direction of Matthew Shepard as well as the soprano solos for Handel’s Messiah under the direction of Dr. William Baker. Beth has also lent her voice to a couple of professional demo recording under the direction of Ben Spalding and members of Spire Chamber Ensemble, one of which was the recipient of a Dove Award.
Beth enjoys lending her voice to commercial recording endeavors as well, including Hallmark’s pop-up book with an original arrangement of The Twelve Days of Christmas and well as recording Christmas carol arrangements for the Mayor’s Tree Lighting in Crown Center for Hallmark’s Christmas Experience.
Beth completed her Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance at the Conservatory of Music at UMKC in 2006 under the tutelage of Dr. Rebecca Sherburn and Dr. Scott Anderson. Prior to that Beth earned her undergraduate degree from Idaho State University in 2003. Beth has enjoyed performing operatic roles such as The Doll” from Les Contes d’Hoffman, Papagena from Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Zerlina from Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Guinone from Monteverdi’s “Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria” and “First Witch” from Purcell’s Dido and Aneas. During her college years, Beth was fortunate to sing in Master Classes with legends Shirlee Emmons, Kathryn Grayson and John Wustman.
When Beth is not singing or teaching, she can be found cooking or baking, tending to her yard, or enjoying time with her teenage children. Beth also loves a good outdoor adventure, engrossing herself in home DIY projects, watching documentaries and antiquing.
Munce Music 