Dr. Rachel Ware Carlton, Director of Graduate Music and Director of Advancement for the School of Humanities and Fine Arts at Lakeland University, is an award-winning soprano who has performed on the operatic and concert stage. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Minnesota and her Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Luther College. Dr. Ware Carlton has taught vocalists at the collegiate, secondary and elementary levels. Her articles on vocal pedagogy, private studio management and other topics have appeared in national publications. Prior to beginning her work at Lakeland University, Dr. Ware Carlton taught at Holy Family College in Manitowoc, WI, Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Campus.

Dr. Ware Carlton conducted a major survey of vocal pedagogues to assess the current use of science and imagery in vocal studios, and published her findings in the Journal of Singing. She has presented these findings at the CMS National Convention, the CMS Great Lakes Regional Conference, the Voice Foundation’s 40th Annual Symposium, the Phenomenon of Singing Symposium held in Newfoundland, Canada, and the Andover Educators Biennial Conference in Portland, Oregon.

Dr. Ware Carlton is a licensed Andover Educator and teaches the course “What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body.” She is an in-demand guest presenter on Body Mapping throughout the Midwestern United States.

As director of the graduate music program, Dr. Ware Carlton serves as advisor to students in the Kodály Certificate Program and Master of Music in Music Education – Kodály Emphasis program.