By Maurissa Munoz
Dara Armstrong was at Eastern New Mexico University before, and she is back again.
Armstrong, a graduate student in the Communicative Disorders program, is not new to campus. She studied Music with an emphasis in vocal performance at ENMU as an undergraduate, earning a bachelor’s degree in 2003.
After she graduated from ENMU, Armstrong moved to Oklahoma to continue her education in music. She attended Oklahoma City University and received a master of music degree with an emphasis in vocal performance in 2005.
Armstrong then moved to Colorado to sing at the Loveland Opera Theater.
While in Colorado, Armstrong competed in a regional voice competition put on by the Metropolitan Opera. She won the competition and was given the “Metropolitan Opera Young Singer Encouragement Award.” The award money provided Armstrong with the opportunity to move to New York City to continue her musical studies and pursue her opera career. Armstrong sold everything she had—including her car—and moved to New York.
Armstrong lived in New York for four years. She worked at a bank as a loan officer while continuing her lessons in opera singing.
Armstrong said she realized many “voice professionals” were using incorrect and harmful methods of instruction.
“It was because of the negative experiences and exploitation I experienced [that] I started looking into being a speech pathologist,” she said.
She made the decision to pursue a career as a speech pathologist with a specialty in voice so she can help people with correct knowledge of anatomy and physiology. Armstrong applied to ENMU’s CDIS program and received admission.
“It’s the best bang for your buck,” said Armstrong when taking about the program.
She said considers ENMU’s program a great fit because of its size, the opportunity for distance education, and the great experiences and opportunities offered.
“Most programs send students only into the school system to practice,” Armstrong said. “Our program has students work in the school system, medical settings through internships…and in the nursing homes, making us well-rounded and more employable.”
Armstrong currently is applying for an internship in Houston, where she will have the opportunity to work with singers, actors, teachers, DJs, broadcasters, or anyone who uses his or her voice for a living.