K. E. Querns Langley MAH, BA

- Founder & Principle Studio Vocal Instructor

Ken is currently studying for his Doctor of Music in Bel Canto Historical Performance Practice at the Royal College of Music London.

At the age of 8, Ken began singing with school and church choirs as a boy soprano, however peculiarly, he had vibrato and began performing as soloist. He continued singing throughout high school into university, where in 1992 he began formal vocal tuition with Spinto Soprano Suzan Munzer. Ms. Munzer studied with Madame Gregory, a voice teacher at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, who was in the tradition of Marcella Sembrich and Lamperti. 

 

At university, Ken won the Presidential Scholar, Distinguished Scholar & Achievement Scholarships and was made an Honors Scholar.  He was the only student to receive all four honors in his class, and received the W. W. Smith Foundation Scholarship and he went on to graduate with both a Master's and Bachelor's degree.  As an undergraduate: in 1994 Ken originated the role of Bartholomew in the World Premier musical "Copernicus," in 1996 recorded a CD of Early Music as part of the Choir of St. Luke's of the Epiphany, sang as soloist in nearly 25 concerts and master classes, and performed lead roles in 5 musicals and theatrical performances.

 

In 1997, Ken changed voice teachers, and began vocal tuition with another Lyrico Spinto Dramatico Soprano, Georgyn Geetlein from the Metropolitan Opera. Ms. Geetlein taught him how to bridge his passagio, and within a week was singing full-voiced 'Bb,' and soon thereafter the voice opened to a top ‘D.’ Ms. Geetlein studied with Madame Gregory at the Curtis Institute, then with the famed MET soprano Rose Bampton, who was trained by Queena Mario at The Curtis Institute of Music (who studied with Sembrich), then by Francis Alda and Lotte Lehmann, each in the tradition of Mathilde Marchesi (trained in the antique Spanish Manuel Garcia tradition).

 

Before completing his MAH, in 2000 Ken travel to Vevey Switzerland to for two months to study French. After receiving his MAH in 2001, Ken moved to London to continue his post-masters academic pursuits, and his operatic training.  In December of that year, he sang for Neal Mackies at the Royal College of Music in London, and who suggested that he study with one of their professors, Heldon Tenor Kenneth Woolham. Ken continued voice lessons in London and remained in there, training with Woolham and vocal coach from the National Opera Studio and English National Opera, Lyndall Dawson.  While there, he covered the role of Rodolfo in La Boheme at New London Opera and covered Alfred, played Frosch and sang chorus in Die Fledermaus with the European Chamber Opera.  At that time, he also traveled to Spain as a musical consultant for a major label album, and worked as a screen writer for a feature film with PVK Pictures, Ltd.

 

After his time in London, Ken spent nearly two years in Modena, Italy where, for obvious reasons, he became fluent in Italian. During his time there he had the opportunity to spend two months in Venezia where he began to study with renowned voice teacher, Sherman Lowe, who is purported to be the "greatest teacher currently in Italy", and with whom Ken continues to study. Also in Venezia Ken became good friends and subsequently coached with, a pianist Roberto Bertuzzi  from La Scala di Milano and La Fenice opera houses.

 

Returning to Philadelphia brought Ken the opportunity to study with new teachers and coaches, and to sing at Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the role of Curley in the Regional Premier of  "Of Mice and Men," by Carlisle Floyd with Center City Opera.  Also, with the same company at the Kimmel Center, he covered the Role of Rodolfo in La Boheme, and sang roles and chorus in Il Trovatore, Il Barbiere of Siviglia, Romeo & Juliet.  He has also been on the Opera Company of Philadelphia stage in The Pearl Fishers, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Le Nozze di Figaro, Falstaff, Norma, Fidelio & L'Italiana in Algeri. Ken is now teaching in the Philadelphia region and has also opened studios in NYC and London.

 

 

Prepared roles include:

Don Ottavio      Don Giovanni

Titus           La Clemenza di Tito

Belmonte      Die Entfuhrung

Tamino        Die Zauberflöte

 

Otello         Otello (In Prep)

Idreno              Semiramide

 

Elvino                La Sonnambula

Pollione       Norma

Arturo              I Puritani

 

Tonio         La fille du regiment

Percy         Anna Bolena

Edgardo          Lucia di Lammermoor

 

Alfredo            La Traviata

 

Rodolfo            La Boheme

 

Faust         Faust

Romeo            Romeo & Juliet

 

Nadir               Pearl Fishers

 

Curley             Of Mice and Men

 

Ken is currently expanding his repertoire to include: Roberto Devereaux & Maria Stuarda by Donizetti, as well as the Rossini operas: 'Mose', 'Elisabetta, Regina d'Inghilterra' & 'Otello.'

 

He has also prepared many Baritone & Tenor arias, songs and oratorio from: Handel, Haydn (Lord Nelson Masse), Von Flotow (Martha), Carissini, Donaudy, Giordani, Stradella, Scarlatti, Malotte, Rossini, Bellini (Bianca e Fernando), Donizetti (Don Pasquale & La Favorita), Verdi (Luisa Miller), Puccini (Turandot), Cilea (L’Arlesianna & Adriana Lecouveur), Giordano (Fedora), Faure, Bizet (Carmen), Massenet (Herodiade, Le Cid & Manon), Strauss, Britten (Serenade for Tenor Horn & Strings), Barber, Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky (Rake’s Progress) and Weill (Street Scene).