Virginia Botkin was my first voice teacher as a tenor. She studied with tenor and

vocal pedagogue, Alan Lindquest. She also did vocal research with Dr. Van Lawrence

and often took me down to Houston to do vocal research projects. It started my

long-standing understanding and belief in healthy vocalism. Ms. Botkin also took me

with her to church every Sunday. She was an extremely noble lady and always put her

students above her own needs. I think about her every day...