Biography
Laurissa Backlin, soprano, is Associate Professor of Music at Carson-Newman University where she teaches Applied Voice and conducts the Women Singers. She has also taught Lyric Diction, Song Literature, Class Voice, Music History and Literature, and Music Appreciation. She received the Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from the University of North Texas. Prior to coming to Carson-Newman, she was Assistant Professor of Music at Delta State University in Cleveland, MS.
As a soprano soloist, Dr. Backlin has sung in numerous performances of concert works across the United States including as guest artist at the University of Arkansas, Tarleton State University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, and Tabor College. Recently, she was soprano soloist in Fauré's Requiem with the C-N combined choirs, and performed as soloist in a concert of works by C-N Alumnus Mary MacDonald. She has sung as a professional chorister and soloist with the Philadelphia Singers, Orpheus Chamber Singers in Dallas, TX, Tennessee Chamber Chorus in Cleveland, TN, and Red Shift Choir in Baton Rouge, LA.
Each summer, Dr. Backlin teaches at Csehy Summer School of Music in Langhorne, PA, a Christian music camp for middle and high school students. She teaches applied voice lessons and sings in faculty recitals.
Dr. Backlin has presented at regional conferences of the College Music Society and American Choral Directors Association. She presented on the influence of the Blues in art songs at Sungkyul University in South Korea and at the International Conference on the Blues at Delta State University. She has sung at the Southern Regional National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) conference, as well as the Music by Women Festival in Columbus, MS. Dr. Backlin was designated a NATS 2018 Emerging Leader for the Southern Region (MS, AR, LA). She served as the Auditions Chair for the MS NATS Chapter from 2017-2020. She currently serves as the Auditions Chair of the TN NATS Chapter.