ABOUT KRISTIN SPONCIA

Dr. Kristin Sponcia is currently an Assistant Professor of Vocal Music at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, WI. She teaches a variety of lecture courses and directs the Stritch Contemporary Vocal Ensemble. She also holds the position of Contemporary Worship Leader at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa, WI. Additionally, she maintains a successful home studio of voice and piano students. A native of Milwaukee, WI, Dr. Sponcia earned a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Jazz Performance (Voice) from the University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign in 2018. Additionally, she is an active pianist, arranger, and composer. She specializes in unique interpretations of jazz standards and contemporary favorites. Some of Dr. Sponcia’s past teaching experiences include directing choirs at the all-girls Divine Savior Holy Angels High School in Milwaukee (2018-2019), a teaching assistantship at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (2014-2017), an instructor at Phil Mattson’s Summer Workshop (2008, 2009), and a full-time position of Keyboard and Theory Instructor at McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul, MN (2005-2013). In 2010, Dr. Sponcia held a 5-month position as a jazz pianist/vocalist in a nightclub in Shenyang, Liaoning, China. She has also performed with the Kristin Sponcia Quartet multiple times at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. She has held several continuous solo pianist/vocalist positions at venues in Minneapolis, Key Largo, and Milwaukee and performed with the Phil Mattson Singers at Carnegie Hall in New York City (2010). Dr. Sponcia has most recently presented her research on female jazz pianist/vocalists at the International Jazz Voice Conference in Helsinki, Finland (2019). Dr. Sponcia looks forward to writing a book about jazz pianist/vocalists for performers and educators based on her Doctoral research, recording her first album, and continuing her performance and teaching career in the Midwest and beyond.