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Lisa Golda Sanderson

 Lisa Sanderson
Instructor of Musical Theatre Voice
Willamette University
Bachelor of Arts, Music and Psychology
Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
Master of Music, Vocal Performance

About Lisa

Lisa (Golda) Sanderson comes to Interlochen from University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, where she was a voice instructor and a pianist in the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre program. Sanderson was also a two-year Faculty Fellow (applied theatre & microaggressions work) at the UWSP Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning; recipient of a 2021 Spirit of Community Service campus-wide staff award; and a founding member and chair of the department’s anti-racist Advocacy, Allyship, and Access Committee. She has been teaching voice privately and in collegiate settings for almost 20 years.

A graduate of the world-renowned Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Sanderson’s performing resume includes professional opera, opera chorus, acting, and music direction, with Portland Opera (resident artist), Seattle Opera, Next Act Theatre, Chicago Opera Playhouse, and Unity Church, among other credits.

Sanderson was the Business Manager at Skylight Music Theatre (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) and a teaching artist in residence for Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education. She provided professional development in arts integration curriculum design for other teaching artists for Lyric Opera of Chicago, Ravinia Reach Teach Play, CAPE, and Chicago Symphony.

Sanderson has studied the Estill Vocal Method with Dr. Kimberly Steinhauer at Point Loma in San Diego and contemporary operatic performance with Ann Baltz (Operaworks). Her former voice students include three winners of the Kohler Foundation Scholarship, each winning $35,000-45,000 apiece for collegiate theatrical and vocal studies. Other students are performing on Broadway, on cruises, and in various professional settings throughout the U.S. Sanderson specializes in functional vocal technique, practical positivity, and performance mindfulness.

Interested in learning with Lisa?

Learn more about studying musical theatre at Interlochen Arts Academy.

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I strive to partner with students in their artistic growth, providing an inclusive, enthusiastic, and individualized teaching environment grounded in functional understanding. I love supporting students in identifying and developing their unique potential as well as in acquiring universal professional skills, including a positive, self-compassionate mindset. Teaching voice is a joy for me!

  • Actors Equity Membership Candidate (EMC)
  • UWSP Spirit of Community Service Award, 2021
  • UWSP Faculty Fellowship, Center for Inclusive Teaching & Learning, 2021-23
  • Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education, Veterans' Partnership
  • Estill Level 1 Training participant, Point Loma, California
  • Published in Classical Singer Magazine
  • Positive Youth Development Educator, UW-Madison Division of Extension

B.A., Music and Psychology - Willamette University
M.M., Vocal Performance - Indiana University Jacobs School of Music