PHOTO BY DR. ROBERT HANSEN

This past July, Dr. Robert Hansen spent five blissful days at the International Congress of Voice Teachers in the heart of Paris.

The Congress is a conference specifically for voice teachers from all over the world. With over 60 countries being represented, 400 educators attended this year.

These meetings deal strictly with classical music and include performances from the actual attendees, informative lectures, workshops with useful tips to further their professional growth and scientific presentations. They take place at different venues around the world every four years.

“The atmosphere at an International Congress is very exciting,” Dr. Robert Hansen, professor of music, said. “In the exchange of ideas, we realize that we have so much in common. As professional singers and teachers of singing, we all aspire to common goals of creating excellent music and educating singers.”

The Congress took place at the Folies Bergere, the most renowned theatre in France.

“The Folies Bergere is one of the most historic and musically important theatres in Paris,” Hansen said. “It was the home of the famous Can-Can girls, and an amazing number of historically important artists performed there. It was an eerie feeling to be on such a stage.”

Along with a Swedish soprano and a German baritone, Hansen performed the opera “Marie Antoinette.” Though there were 65 representatives from the U.S. at the Congress, Hansen had the honor to be the only American to perform in front of his colleagues.

“Singing for one’s peers is the most difficult performance,” Hansen said. “They all know how you do what you do, if you are doing it correctly and well. Fortunately, I was on my best behavior and all went perfectly!”

PHOTO BY ROBERT HANSEN | Dr. Robert Hansen performed at the Folies Berge in Paris admist 400 of his colleagues from all over the world. In front of the theatre, a sign states in French, "The most famous musical theatre in the world".

Along with the conference, Hansen had time to enjoy the charm of the cit

“I’m glad there was time to experience the history and the art in Paris,” Hansen said.“It inspires one to stand four feet from the Mona Lisa or to stand in the cell where Marie Antoinette was held captive by the revolutionaries.”