About Peggy McNulty
Background
Peggy McNulty, soprano, has earned a Masters of Music Degree with a voice pedagogy specialty from The Catholic University of America. She studied at the Juilliard School of Music for two years and during the summer of 1964, Peggy studied voice at the Aspen School of Music with Jennie Tourel. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree with a speech major and music minor from the University of California at Berkeley.
Peggy was treasurer of the Virginia NATS Chapter in 1970 and is a past member of the Board of Directors. In 1980 she became professionally certified as a Teacher of Voice by the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).
For over 30 years, Peggy has operated a private voice studio in McLean, Virginia, teaching both teens — approximately three-quarters of her studio — and adults. Many of her teens have continued their vocal studies in colleges, such as The Oberlin Conservatory, Rice University, Northwestern University, New York University, James Madison, Manhattan School of Music, and William and Mary in Virginia. In 1995 one of her students won the MTNA National High School Competition at the National Convention in Spokane, Washington; and in 2015 one of her students represented the Southern Division in the High School Voice Competition in Las Vegas, Nevada. Many of her students have also won prizes in the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association Voice Competition, which she has chaired for 30 years. As a member of NATS, Peggy has attended many National and International Conventions. Her students have also been winners at the Virginia State Auditions and have attended the Mid-Atlantic Regional Auditions.
Her adults perform in local choirs, such as The Cathedral Choir, New Dominion Choir, Master Chorale, Reston Chorale, and Choralis. Many of them are active soloists in their church choirs and as well as professional choir members.
One of her former high school students, Ana Gasteyer, was a cast member of Saturday Night Live. In January 2006, Peggy had the privilege of seeing Ana star as Elphaba in the Chicago production of Wicked. In May 2016, Ana performed a recital to benefit DC's Arena Stage.
Peggy has performed as a soloist in Christian Science Churches for 35 years and has presented many recitals at venues in the Washington, D.C. area, including the Alexandria Lyceum, Meridian House, The Arts Club, Lewinsville Presbyterian Church, etc. In the 1970s, Peggy studied voice with Todd Duncan, for whom one of the NATSAA prizes is named. She currently studies voice with George Gibson and she coaches with Gillian Cookson. Peggy is a performing member of the Friday Morning Music Club and a very active member of the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association. By presenting several benefit solo recitals, Peggy has raised over $6,000 for the Music Teachers Voice Scholarship Fund.
Professional Training and Experience
Master of Music, Voice Pedagogy, The Catholic University of America, May 1990
Bachelor of Arts, Speech (Major), Music (Minor), The University of California at Berkeley, January 1964
Voice Major, The Juilliard School of Music, 1964-1966
Voice Major, Aspen School of Music, Summer 1964
Institute of Vocal Performance Pedagogy, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, 1993
Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) Vocal Pedagogy Certificate Program, Level I - 2003, Level II - 2011
National Association of Teachers of Singing National Conventions, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1995, 2000, 2008, 2016
Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth International Congress of Voice Teachers: Auckland, New Zealand, 1994; London, England, 1997; Helsinki, Finland, 2001; Vancouver, B.C., 2005
Voice Care Network Impact Course, Hollins College, 1998
Voice Seminar, Eastman School of Music, 1999
Westminster Choir College Workshops, 1978, 1980, 1985, 1994, 1996, 2005
Opera Programs Berlin, Fall and Spring, 2020-2021
Teaching Credentials/Experience
1995 Governor’s School, Outstanding Educator Citation
Adjudicator for competitions and auditions in Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Instructor of Voice, Northern Virginia Community College
Member, Voice Care Network
National and State Certification as a voice teacher, awarded by the Music Teachers National Association
Professional Private Voice Instructor since 1970 in the Washington, D.C., area
Teacher of National Yamaha High School Voice Competition Winner, 1993
Performance Experience
Soloist
First Church of Christ Scientists, McLean and Springfield, Virginia
Lakeshore Baptist Church, Oakland, California
Memorial Baptist Church, Arlington, Virginia
Second Church of Christ Scientist, Arlington, Virginia
St. Luke’s Methodist Church, Washington, DC
Solo Voice Recitals
Epiphany United Methodist Church, Vienna, Virginia
Anderson House Museum, Washington, D.C.
Barker Hall, Washington, D.C.
Emmaus United Church of Christ, Vienna, Virginia
First Congregational Church, Berkeley, California
Lewinsville Presbyterian Church, McLean, Virginia
Mary Washington College, Fredericksburg, Virginia
McLean Symphony, Soloist, 1978 and 1981
Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association, Arlington, Virginia
Rossmoor Leisure World, Walnut Creek, California
The Arts Club, Washington, D.C.
The International Student Center, Washington, D.C.
Operatic Roles
Amahl, Amahl and the Night Visitors (Menotti)
Emmy, Albert Herring (Britten)
Gretel, Hansel & Gretel (Humperdinck)
Iolanthe, Iolanthe (Gilbert and Sullivan)
Iris, Semele (Handel)
Jane, Babes in Toyland (Herbert)
Little Red Riding Hood, Little Red Riding Hood (Barab)
Polly, Three Penny Opera (Weil)
Susanna, Marriage of Figaro (Mozart)
Certifications and Recognitions
NVMTA Laureate
In May 2011, Peggy McNulty was awarded the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association Laureate designation because of her longtime dedication and service to NVMTA. This is a distinguished award voted on by the membership.
Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) Vocal Pedagogy Institute
Peggy is certified in Level I and Level II of Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) Vocal Pedagogy Institute. The Institute was created to meet the demand for vocal training grounded in voice science, voice medicine, and tested methods of CCM pedagogy. Learn more >
Voice Lessons for College Credit
Peggy McNulty is now on the adjunct faculty at Northern Virginia Community College. Students can receive credit for voice lessons. Lessons can be given in her McLean studio. Contact Peggy for details.
Professional Affiliations
Friday Morning Music Club, Performing Member
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)
National Association of the Teachers of Singing (NATS)
Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association (NVMTA)
Peggy McNulty Featured in Washington Post Magazine
Peggy was featured in the February 6, 2011, Washington Post Magazine column, "First Person Singular." She was interviewed by Amanda Long.