Jessye DeSilva

Rather than debating issues of ‘healthy vocal technique,’ we as teachers should be looking at and listening to each individual student to determine what they are capable of and wish to achieve, to find the most sustainable vocal technique for their artistry.

Jessye DeSilva (she/they) joined the Conservatory in 2017 and is an assistant professor of voice for musical theater. She is a singer-songwriter and teacher who is passionate about the human stories found throughout diverse mediums such as musical theater, rock, cabaret, folk, and popular music. DeSilva earned their Doctorate of Musical Arts in voice performance and pedagogy at Temple University. Their doctoral monograph, A Survey of the Current State of Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) Vocal Pedagogy Training at the Graduate Level, examines the need to include contemporary and musical theater techniques in graduate-level voice pedagogy programs. Previously, she held teaching positions as a visiting assistant professor of musical theater voice at the Ira Brind School of Theater Arts at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. DeSilva has a background in both contemporary (pop/rock/musical theater) and classical voice, and believes that establishing a sense of safety and empowerment in the voice studio is key to achieving freedom of expression in a student’s music making. 

Recent Engagements

• Official showcase debut at Americanafest in Nashville, Tennessee (September 2023) 
• Second full-length album, Renovations, released in July 2023 to critical acclaim 
• Singles from Renovations featured in Rolling Stone, NPR Music, The Boot, and No Depression 

Pronouns: she/they