Kristianna Dilworth Adjunct Instructor Performing Arts
- Additional Positions at AU
- Adjunct Voice Instructor
- Degrees
- MM Contemporary Commercial Voice Pedagogy, Shenandoah Conservatory
BM Music Education, Missouri Baptist University - Bio
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Artist and Educator Kristianna Pirrie Dilworth seeks to unearth artistic authenticity in her students, empower them to meet industry standards, and support them as they seek musical and spiritual truth. She believes in holistic, systematic, creative, tailored, evidence-based pedagogy that gives students the practical tools and knowledge to meet their potential.
Kristianna holds a Master's Degree in Contemporary Commercial Voice Pedagogy from Shenandoah Conservatory and a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Missouri Baptist University. She has been a performer for over 20 years, beginning primarily with dramatic and comedic acting. She has performed at venues in St. Louis, Chicago, New York City, Palm Beach, Des Moines, Sioux Falls, Nashville, Lorton, Arlington, Annapolis, and Palembang, Indonesia. An avid theatrical performer, Kristianna has performed in multiple regional houses, playing a variety of different roles. Favorite projects include The Bridges of Madison County (Francesca), Footloose (Rusty), Guys & Dolls (Miss Adelaide), and The Sound of Music (Maria). She has also enjoyed collaborating with Broadway artists such as Taylor Louderman and Elizabeth and Lara Teeter, as well as official Grammy voting member, Dr. Rickey Payton.
A lifelong learner, Kristianna recently received her certification from True Colors Voice and Artist for the completion of their Artist Coaching for Voice Teachers course, where she learned to coach creativity in vocalists that are looking to cultivate a 'signature sound' and expand their creative journey. She has training in Alexander Technique and has completed Levels I-III at the Contemporary Commercial Music Institute. Kristianna has studied voice with elite professionals such as Dr. Matt Edwards (Author of "So You Want to Sing Rock 'n Roll"), Edrie Means-Weekly (NATS Master Teacher), and Alison Crockett (award-winning jazz vocalist and Somatic Voicework educator).
Currently, Kristianna maintains a thriving private voice studio, specializing in Contemporary Commercial Music and Musical Theatre, and is a resident artist at The Classic Theatre of Maryland in their Cabaret Series. Among other awards, Kristianna was blessed to receive acceptance to the OpenJar Institute in New York City and an Irene Ryan Nomination (KCACTF Region V). She has performed at multiple conferences for the Kennedy Center for the Arts College Theatre Festival, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, and the Southwest Choral Directors Association.
An investigator at heart, Kristianna has recently begun participating in research in the field of Voice Pedagogy. Specifically, she has just completed a pilot study "CHERISH THE ROOTS: A Case Study Investigating the Pedagogy of Black Music Styles", with plans to continue the official study in the near future. She has also collaborated with Dr. Marita Stryker on her research study, "The Effect of Humming Tasks on Psychophysiological Markers of Anxiety Within the Applied Voice Lesson", which was presented at The Voice Foundation's 52nd Annual Voice Symposium. She also plans to continue publishing academic writing for the Journal of Voice and Speech.
At American University, Kristianna hopes to provide a solution-rich, judgment-free environment where a singer’s imagination can flow freely in and out of their voice. She believes it is her responsibility to walk with students as they discover their purpose and where singing fits into their story. From there, she develops skills, techniques, and styles in the voice that serve the student's purpose, or what she likes to call, “that which sings inside of a human”. The mind sings. The body sings. The spirit sings. They sing an individual, unparalleled song that lives and breathes only in that singular being. Kristianna hopes to hand students a flashlight as they seek what sings.
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Teaching
Fall 2024
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MUS-021 Private Instrument Study: Voice
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MUS-022 Private Instrument Study: Voice
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MUS-121 Private Instrument/Vocal Study: Voice
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MUS-122 Private Instrument/Vocal Study: Voice
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MUS-792 Private Instrument/Vocal Study: Voice
Spring 2025
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MUS-021 Private Instrument Study: Voice
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MUS-022 Private Instrument Study: Voice
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MUS-121 Private Instrument/Vocal Study: Voice
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MUS-122 Private Instrument/Vocal Study: Voice