Voice Teacher

Susan Derry

  • Susan Derry’s Broadway credits include Wonderful Town and 14 productions with City Center's Encores! series.

    She started her career as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera in Hamburg, Germany; roles since include Francesca, Bridges of Madison County; Marian, The Music Man; Lily/Kate, Kiss Me, Kate!; The Witch, Into The Woods; Desdemona, Othello; Eliza, My Fair Lady; Fiona, Brigadoon; Betty, Sunset Boulevard; Ragtime at the Kennedy Center; Bernstein's Mass at the Kennedy Center and on tour.

    Solo concert work: Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops, Utah Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, the New York Philharmonic, 54 Below, Green Room 42 and Sounds of the City NYC. Susan’s debut album, I Wish It So for Nevermore Records, is available to stream.

    Awards include Best Cabaret/Concert/Solo Performance 2023 for BWW DC. She is a graduate of Northwestern University and the Manhattan School Of Music. Susan currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Voice for Musical Theater at American University in Washington DC. Learn more at SusanDerry.com.

  • As an educator and arts leader with a performing career, I'm passionate about giving my students the confidence to use their true sound to take up space and be heard.  

    Like personalities, every voice is unique and complex: my approach is unique to you. You’ll receive practical tools to allow you to communicate freely and truthfully with your voice, and to sustain your vocal gift. I provide strong guidance and empathic support no matter where your career or your heart takes you. 

    When you connect to your truly free sound, created in a balanced way through skill, craft and passion, the world can connect to it, too, no matter the genre or style.

What Students Say…

 
Featured
“Susan Derry changed my life! Because the one thing she gave me was confidence. Confidence in my voice, that there wasn’t anything I couldn’t sing.”
“Susan Derry changed my life! Because the one thing she gave me was confidence. Confidence in my voice, that there wasn’t anything I couldn’t sing.”

Caroline Wolfson
Helen Hayes Award Winner

“Susan Derry has championed the challenges of virtual voice lessons and provides a fantastic space for growth in an uncertain world”
“Susan Derry has championed the challenges of virtual voice lessons and provides a fantastic space for growth in an uncertain world”

Haley Bjorn
NYC Performer

“Not only does Susan Derry have an incredible knowledge of vocal pedagogy and repertoire, she is incredibly generous in spirit and one of the most sincere and kind people I know.”
“Not only does Susan Derry have an incredible knowledge of vocal pedagogy and repertoire, she is incredibly generous in spirit and one of the most sincere and kind people I know.”

Walter Ware III
UDK Casting

“Susan is an amazing teacher and inspiring person. She has taught me so much and helped me immeasurably,”
“Susan is an amazing teacher and inspiring person. She has taught me so much and helped me immeasurably,”

Caroline Griswold Short
DC Cabaret Artist

“I know that I would not be the performer I am today, and would not have the skills and confidence that I have if I had never taken voice lessons with Susan Derry.”
“I know that I would not be the performer I am today, and would not have the skills and confidence that I have if I had never taken voice lessons with Susan Derry.”

Ethan Miller
University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater BFA Actor Training Program Grad
Helen Hayes Nominee

“Susan Derry is highly aware of vocal technique and pedagogy, has a vast knowledge of musical theatre/ classical/ pop repertoire, and is dedicated to the individual goals of her students.”
“Susan Derry is highly aware of vocal technique and pedagogy, has a vast knowledge of musical theatre/ classical/ pop repertoire, and is dedicated to the individual goals of her students.”

Isabelle Jennings Pickering
DC Singer-Actor

“Susan has taken my sound to new places. If you have any performance anxiety, it will melt away with solid technique and the sweetest personal energy.”
“Susan has taken my sound to new places. If you have any performance anxiety, it will melt away with solid technique and the sweetest personal energy.”

Melina Scotto Maslin
Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of Hilton

“Susan not only transformed my voice, but transformed how I viewed myself. She is a purposeful and mindful educator who took the time to get to know me, my needs, and my goals.”
“Susan not only transformed my voice, but transformed how I viewed myself. She is a purposeful and mindful educator who took the time to get to know me, my needs, and my goals.”

Madison Chapman
Theatre and Arts Educator

“Susan is one of the best voice teachers I have ever worked with because of her commitment to educate and support her students in addition to cultivating their voices!”
“Susan is one of the best voice teachers I have ever worked with because of her commitment to educate and support her students in addition to cultivating their voices!”

Sarah Pollock
DC Actor-Singer

“Susan has exponentially improved my singing ability by sharing her extensive knowledge of voice, acting and by teaching me to embrace myself as a performer and walk on stage with ease and confidence”
“Susan has exponentially improved my singing ability by sharing her extensive knowledge of voice, acting and by teaching me to embrace myself as a performer and walk on stage with ease and confidence”

Ari Goodfriend
Loyola Marymount: Theatre Arts/Psychology

Ready to sing with ease and joy?