Teacher Award

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"Dr. Manternach is one of the most dedicated teachers I have had the pleasure of working with. He is constantly learning to improve his own skills and those of his students. His dedication to his craft and his pursuit of bettering himself and his students is truly inspiring and what makes him such a great teacher. I have never once felt like he was phoning it in or that he was doing the bare minimum. Dr. Manternach knows the work doesn't stop and he is not satisfied in just accepting how things were. He continues to pursue knowledge and make sure he knows the latest in sciences, discoveries, and techniques relevant to his field of teaching. He genuinely cares about each student’s success and works to ensure he is giving helpful and individualized instruction. He not only loves music but loves teaching and bringing about a love of music in his students. He is the greatest voice teacher I have had the pleasure to work with and I am so grateful for all he has taught me and the work he continues to this day." 

"Brian inspires me because he is constantly striving to better himself as a teacher and mentor—in addition to a full teaching schedule, he is conducting research, writing articles, and always learning more about his craft and transmitting that information to his students. His drive and passion inspire me to chase my own dreams and he has impacted my life in immeasurable ways through our years together. "

"I am forever grateful, and indebted to Brian for his gentle and vastly knowledgeable guidance. The way that alumni speak so highly of him, as well as current students who have the privilege of working with Brian speaks volumes. "

Ruth Ellis, who nominated Arden (but didn't participate in the voting) had this to say about him, "Arden is such a giving soul.  He charges incredibly reasonable rates because teaching voice isn’t about making money for him in his “retirement” years.  He also volunteers hours and hours running the voice studio at the Scera, a local arts non-profit.  

I appreciate that Arden empathetically shares his own vocal journey.  It builds a sense of trust and that we are in this together and not that he had it all figured out from the beginning, which no one does but sometimes people pretend they do.  I appreciate that he gives me full permission to experiment, disagree, and choose for myself.  

Arden has worked to be a peacemaker and a builder of communities. He chooses to step away from the fray and to actively see the good in people. Truly admirable (because I have seen some of the frays). " 

"He genuinely loves his students even more than he loves music. He is patient with my progress and wants to help me reach my potential.  He has a way of using all my senses, my anatomy,  my body and my life experiences to teach me to sing."

"I consider Arden and his mentoring and teaching to be one of the greatest gifts in my teaching and singing career.  His non-judgmental style, wry sense of humor, and  supportive but honest assessments changed my singing and teaching paradigm." 

"Arden Hopkin is quite remarkable. He has dedicated his life to teaching and learning. Arden is constantly looking for new ways to approach teaching, to reach a student, to create a different studio paradigm, or provide a new opportunity for the students. "