Music Department's Cindy Dewey is 'Teacher of the Week'

“I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this honor,” said Music Department Head Craig Jessop. “Cindy has a passion for and a dedication to her work. A measure of her success is the quality of her students and the true affection they show to her.”

 

KSL Newsradio and Zions Bank are sponsors of the “Teacher Feature,” now in its 16th year. The program highlights outstanding teachers throughout the state of Utah and winning teachers are announced each Tuesday morning on KSL Radio’s Grant and Amanda show.

 

KSL has a panel of judges from Zions Bank, the State Office of Education and KSL Newsradio who judge the hundreds of letters of nomination sent to KSL Radio. Letters are submitted by students, peers, former students or relatives.

 

Dewey was nominated by USU student Lizzy Smith, who has studied voice with Dewey the past four years and completes her study this year.

 

“Cindy has done so much for me as a singer and as an individual,” Smith wrote in her letter of nomination. “I look up to her so much. She has helped me gain confidence in my singing as well as in myself. She goes above and beyond what is expected.”

 

Smith said after every voice lesson from her mentor, she leaves happy.

 

“Not just because of what she taught, but how she taught it,” she said. “She always made me feel very valued and loved. This is a woman who, with just her presence, makes you want to try harder and dream bigger.”

 

Dewey began her career at USU in 1996 after teaching at West Virginia University where she coordinated all vocal programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. As head of the vocal studies area at USU, she oversees the program that includes 93 students whose primary instrument is the voice, with 12 additional students with voice as a secondary emphasis. She also coordinates study, courses and activities of 93 non-majors. She supervises the adjunct voice faculty, matching students to instructors. She provides one-on-one instruction to 25 voice students.

 

Dewey is actively engaged in NATS — the National Association of Teachers of Singing — both at the national level, where she is the conference chair for the 2010 gathering — and as president of the Northern Utah Chapter. In that capacity she works with monthly continuing education sessions.

 

On campus, she coordinates sessions with a number of guest artists and educators, both for students and fellow faculty.

 

“It is important to continue learning throughout your whole life,” she said.

 

Dewey received her doctorate from Louisiana State University. She has also studied at Juilliard. As a singer, she has appeared in leading roles in opera companies in Texas, Louisiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and she made her New York debut in the award-winning opera “Intimations.” She is a frequent recitalist and has been a finalist in a number of national and international competitions. Her students have sung at the Metropolitan Opera, the San Francisco Opera, Santa Fe Opera and elsewhere.

 

“Cindy is loved by her students,” Jessop said. “Lizzy Smith said that in her letter of nomination, but she is just one of the many who feel that way. Cindy Dewey is truly dedicated to the students at USU. This is a great tribute to a great teacher. The university is enriched by having her here.”

 

In addition to the plaque presented by Zions Bank, Dewey received a number of gifts as part of the honor, including an overnight stay at the Anniversary Inn, a gift certificate for dinner at La Caille restaurant and a pair of season tickets from Hale Center Theater. She will also attend and year-end banquet at La Caille that honors all “Teacher Feature” recipients.

 

College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences   
 

Contact: Criag Jessop (435) 797-3031
Contact: Cindy Dewey (435) 797-3055
Writer: Patrick Williams (435) 797-1354