Curriculum Vitae
Auckland, New Zealand | lblackhurst@gmail.com | (0)29 777-7729
New Zealand Resident Visa holder
CAREER PROFILE
Doctorate-qualified music educator and researcher (Ed.D., Teachers College, Columbia University) whose work examines mindfulness, music, and the singing voice. Experienced in designing and delivering programmes for participants from childhood to adulthood, supervising and mentoring early-career educators, and coordinating funded creative and educational projects. Published and presented in music education and social-emotional learning, with training in qualitative and quantitative research methods and data analysis. Brings a strong personal and professional interest in the intersection of music, psychology, neuroscience, and dementia.
KEY SKILLS AND STRENGTHS
Research and scholarship: Doctoral research on mindfulness, contemplative education, and vocal technique; three journal articles, a doctoral dissertation, and a conference presentation; qualitative and quantitative methods and data analysis.
Participant engagement: Taught and facilitated learners aged 7 to adult, from beginners to professional performers, including gender-affirming voice and speech training (2024). Adapts approach to individual needs.
Supervision and mentoring: Supervised student teachers at Teachers College (2018) and West Chester University (2026); cooperating teacher (2021, 2023); NATS Mentor Teacher Training (2016). Gave structured observation, rubric-based, and written feedback.
Project management and coordination: Co-founded and led two arts organisations; managed grant applications, recruitment, contracting, budgets, scheduling, and stakeholder communication.
Communication and knowledge translation: Designed professional development for teachers; presented at NYSSMA (2022); published for practitioner audiences in the Choral Journal.
Wellbeing and care-oriented practice: Mindfulness, resilience, and social-emotional learning in teaching and research; Psych Essentials, The Bulletproof Musician (2024).
Technology: Experienced with MAXQDA2020 software; created a music technology curriculum with computerised assessments (Bronxville School); experienced with Canvas and student management software.
EDUCATION
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Music and Music EducationMay 2021
Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY
Dissertation: Exploring the Whole Singing Self through Mindfulness, Contemplative Education, and Technique
Florence K. Geffen Scholarship recipient; doctoral voice recital, 15 September 2018
Master of Arts with New York State Certification, Music and Music EducationMay 2008
Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY (General Scholarship recipient)
Master of Education, Music and Music EducationMay 2008
Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY (General Scholarship recipient)
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Theatre Performance, Summa cum LaudeAugust 2023
University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
Honors Scholarship (one of eight graduating seniors); Honors Thesis: Audience Reception Theory and Original One-Act Play; Dean’s List; Golden Key National Honor Society
Bachelor of Music, Voice Theatre Training (not completed)
University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
Peer-reviewed or professional journal articles (no preprints):
Blackhurst, L. & Freeman, R. (2022). Healing our singers, healing ourselves: teaching social and emotional learning in choirs. Choral Journal, 62(9), 20–22.
Blackhurst, L. & Freeman, R. (2021). Healing our singers, healing ourselves: teaching social and emotional learning in choirs. ChorTeach, Choral Journal, 13(2).
Blackhurst, L. (2018). Teaching habits of mind in young choruses: adapting A Mindset for Learning to enhance the compulsory choral experience. ChorTeach, Choral Journal, 10(2).
Doctoral dissertation:
Blackhurst, L. (2021). Exploring the whole singing self with technique, contemplative education, and mindfulness (28540697) [Doctoral dissertation, Teachers College, Columbia University]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.
Conference presentation:
“You DO Have Time: Practical SEL and SEE Resources for Your K-5 Music Classroom.” NYSSMA Annual Winter Conference, Rochester, NY, December 2022.
AWARDS AND GRANTS
Opera Hack 3.0, Opera America and San Diego Opera, with Immersion (winner), 2023
NYCSA ART (Alliance of Resident Theatres) Creative Opportunity Fund, with Immersion, 2023
Scarsdale Teaching Institute Curriculum Development Mini-Grant (Wellness and Music: Creating a Toolbox), 2017–2018
Florence K. Geffen Scholarship, Teachers College, Columbia University, 2018–2019
General Scholarship, Teachers College, Columbia University, 2007–2008
HIGHER EDUCATION, TEACHER EDUCATION, AND CONSULTING
Adjunct Faculty, Musical Theatre Direction |Spring 2026
Adelphi University, Department of Music, Garden City, NY
Directed the spring musical, including casting and production, in collaboration with the music director and faculty.
Adjunct Instructor and Student Teaching Supervisor |Spring 2026 – upcoming
West Chester University, Department of Music Education, West Chester, PA
Supervising five to ten student teachers and giving actionable feedback to strengthen their practice.
Grading seminar assignments and returning feedback promptly using student management software.
Adjunct Instructor (remote) | Spring 2024
University of Bridgeport, Department of Music Education, Bridgeport, CT
Facilitated a graduate seminar, DEI Perspectives in Music Education; used Canvas to communicate and grade; gave feedback on written assignments and teaching examples.
Freelance Teacher Educator | 2022 – 2025
Success Academies, New York, NY
Worked as a choral and elementary general music clinician, differentiating instruction and addressing vocal technique.
Worked with the music education coordinator to design and deliver teacher professional development in general music K–12, ukulele, and music technology.
Student Teacher Supervisor |Fall 2018; Cooperating Teacher | Spring 2021, 2023
Teachers College, Columbia University, Department of Music, New York, NY
Supervised three student teachers in middle and high school choral placements: three formal observations each with pre- and post-observation meetings, rubrics, informal feedback, and a summative evaluation.
Mentored students weekly through blog responses, calls, and site visits; liaised with cooperating teachers and the institutional professor.
As cooperating teacher, mentored a student teacher in planning, classroom management, and professional skills.
Applied Music Instructor (Voice) | Jan 2007 – May 2008 & Sep 2018 – 2020
Teachers College, Columbia University, Department of Music, New York, NY
Taught vocal pedagogy to undergraduate and graduate students of varying backgrounds (music majors, acting students, beginners); designed individual courses and supplementary activities to prepare students for recitals.
Teaching AssistantSpring 2008
Teachers College, Columbia University, Department of Music, New York, NY
Assisted Dr Lenore Pogonowski with two courses (Musical Skills and the Creative Strategy; Comprehensive Musicianship II); prepared materials and technology and clarified assignments for students.
Director of Educational AdministrationApr–Sep 2015; Summer 2016
Scarsdale Strings, Scarsdale and New York City, NY
Designed and oversaw comprehensive music curricula in New York City schools; observed and supported teachers; built relationships among administrators, parents, teachers, and students.
Freelance Educational Consultant, Online ResourcesSpring 2011
Carnegie Hall Teaching Institute, New York, NY
Organised and catalogued keywords, concepts, and materials for online music teacher resources in a spreadsheet.
LEADERSHIP AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Founder, CEO, and Educator, Integral Voice Works | 2022 – current
Develops and delivers voice and music teaching grounded in mindfulness, contemplative education, and pedagogy, in classes and one-to-one; handles recruitment and all business administration.
Co-founder, Immersion |2017 – current
Co-founded a New York production company addressing contemporary social issues through musical and theatrical programming that combines artistic work, philosophical enquiry, and education (immersionrepertory.org).
Winner, Opera Hack 3.0 (Opera America, San Diego Opera), 2023; recipient of an ART (New York City) grant, 2023.
Co-founder, Artistic Director, and Music Director, Immersion Youth Repertory | Summer 2016 –2022
Rochester, MN
Co-founded a summer theatre company for students in grades 4–12; responsible for casting, music teaching, directing, show selection, and producing.
Managed press releases, grant writing, advertising, contracting, space rental, set construction, and equipment procurement; designed a mentoring workshop with the local YMCA camp.
Conducted the pit orchestra (South Eastern Minnesota Youth Orchestra) for Les Miserables, 2019.
Music Director, Waitress |February 2025
Rochester Civic Theatre, Rochester, MN
K–12 TEACHING
Full-time Primary General Music & Chorus |Current
Balmoral School, Auckland, NZ
Designing and implementing a general music curriculum and for all primary students (Years 0-6), approx. 450 students
Working with and helping develop chorus and rock band programs
Facilitator (chorus, music and literacy, general music) | 2025-2026
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, New York, NY
Designs and delivers programmes in New York City schools; communicates with schools, coordinators, and conservatory supervisors.
Full-time Tenured Teacher, K–5 General Music and Grades 4–5 Chorus | 2016 – 2024
Greenacres School, Scarsdale, NY
Developed social-emotional ethical learning curricula; designed interdisciplinary projects and creative assessment; co-taught with Lincoln Center Education.
Served on building and district committees (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Environmental; interviews; COVID re-opening; contract negotiation).
Grew small choral ensembles through and after COVID.
Full-time Tenured Chorus Teacher and Drama Teacher, Grades 6–8 |2008 – 2014
Bronxville School, Bronxville, NY
Co-designed curriculum and repertoire for three choruses of about 80 singers; prepared students for ACDA, All-County, All-State, and NYSSMA festivals; created a music technology curriculum with computerised assessments.
Taught drama through experiential exercises, scene and monologue study, and interdisciplinary projects; assessed through participation, growth, written work, and observation.
Directed and music directed the middle school musical (2009–2014), casting and rehearsing 50–60 students and training about 15 in technical theatre; designed lighting; wrote transitions for the original production Radio Mystery Theatre.
VOICE TEACHING
Founder, Integral Voice Works (independent music and voice teacher) | Fall 2007 – current
Designs individual curricula for students aged 12 to adult, from beginners to professional performers, integrating music theory with vocal technique and fostering interpretation through dialogue and critical thinking.
Designs group voice classes for professional singers using contemplative education and mindfulness.
Voice and Theatre Teacher, Random Farms Kids’ Theatre, Elmsford, NY | July 2015 – June 2019
Group Singing Instructor (Musical Theatre), Bronxville Adult School, NY | 2013–2014; 2015–2016
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ADDITIONAL TRAINING
Gender Affirming Voice and Speech, The Voice Lab (Liz Jackson Hearns) | 2024
Psych Essentials, The Bulletproof Musician (Noa Kageyama) | 2024
Vocal Pedagogy Institute, Rider University and Westminster Choir College (Dr. Kathy Price, Dr. Katherine Verdolini, Mary Saunders Barton, Norman Spivey) | 2023
NATS Mentor Teacher Training Program, Fall | 2016
Workshops: Mindfulness and Resilience in Education (Linda Lanteri); Creativity and Young Children (Reggio Emilia); Kodály, world drumming, and choral conducting; ACDA, Brooklyn Youth Chorus, and Kodály Organization of New York events
Book studies: Choke (Sian Beilock); Intellectual Character (Ron Ritchhart); How the Brain Learns (David Sousa)
Umbrian Serenades chorus under Joseph Flummerfelt, Summer 2013; International Vocal Arts Institute, Tel Aviv, 2010; New York Opera Studio Summer Intensive, 2009 (scholarship)
CERTIFICATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
New York State Professional Teaching Certification: Music (K–12) and Theatre (K–12), #1141849, current (September 2013)
Member: National Association of Teachers of Singing; American Choral Directors Association; National Association for Music Education; Westchester County School Music Association
SELECTED PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE
Professional opera, concert, and musical theatre performer. Selected highlights:
Opera: Alcina, title role (Immersion, 2023); Morgana, Alcina (NY Opera Forum, 2016); Zerbinetta, Ariadne auf Naxos (2014) and Konstanze, Die Entführung (2013), both NY Opera Forum; Königin der Nacht, Die Zauberflöte (One World Symphony, 2012; ILRA, Rome, 2011); Frasquita, Carmen (Regina Opera, 2010)
Concert: soloist, Die Expanded Schöne Müllerin (New York, 2023); soloist in Immersion productions (2017–2022); solo recitals in New York and Estes Park, CO; chorus member, Musica Viva (2017–2020) and National Chorale (2010–12)
Theatre: Diana, Next to Normal (Rochester Civic Theatre, 2022)
REFEREES
Dr. Randall Allsup, Professor of Music Education, Teachers College, Columbia University, rea10@tc.columbia.edu 212-678-3189
Dr. Jeannie Goffi-Fynn, Associate Professor of Teaching, Teachers College, Columbia University, jcg21@tc.columbia.edu 212-678-3450
Dr. Robert Jordan, Assistant Professor, Music, Adelphi University, rjordan@adelphi.edu
Dr. Kirsten Brown, Faculty, Sarah Lawrence College, kshippert@gmail.com
Dr Claudia Friedlander, Voice Teacher, claudia@claudiafriedlander.com
Lisa Forte, Department Chair, Performing Arts, Scarsdale Schools, lforte@scarsdaleschools.org
Additional referees available on request.