Immanuel Church

Education:

Kelly (Hamm) Combs holds a BM in Voice from Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM).   There, she studied under the care and guidance of mezzo-soprano Mary Stucky.  Kelly also holds a Certificate of Vocology from Indiana University’s Jacob’s School of Music, working closely with Dr. Brian Gill and Dr. Rita Patel.  Currently, she is finishing her recital work for her Masters in Voice at Jacob’s as a student of baritone Timothy Noble.

Performance:

Kelly has a love for singing classical music and holds opera and art song especially close to her heart.  Her favorite operatic roles thus far include Susanna from Le Nozze di Figaro and Despina from Cosi fan Tutte.  Her passion for song has opened doors to participate in programs such as the Vancouver International Song Institute and Bayview’s American Negro Spiritual Ensemble.  Maintaining versatility, fostering creativity, and breaking through cultural barriers are qualities that Kelly values as an artist.      Working with opera outreach programs such as ROKCincy and the University of Kentucky’s SOOP have allowed her to share opera with students across the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the tristate area.

Teaching Philosophy:

Kelly implements a wholistic approach to pedagogy.  She emphasizes healthy technique, concentrating on breath and resonance.  Additionally, she builds a musical foundation in her students through music theory, history, aural skills, and diction.  Her students also receive training in professional skills such as performance techniques, repertoire building, and creating performance resumes.