Today we’d like to introduce you to Wanda Yang Temko.
Hi Wanda, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Singing became a way of life when I was six after my mom enrolled my sister and I in a children’s choir. A few years later, my family moved from Taipei, Taiwan to Norcross, GA in 1979. I am the middle child, sandwiched between an older sister and a younger brother. We were the first ESL students in our elementary and middle schools when we started school in America. Learning English became a top priority, but as soon as I could, I looked for the music room and joined choir. I have been singing for most of my life. However, my journey as a profession musician was not so direct.
In undergrad, I majored in Psychology and Liberal Studies at Emory University, but sang in choirs, took voice lessons, and did lots of theater. After graduation I had an epiphany–I must study music! So, I enrolled at Georgia State University to see if I would enjoy graduate-level voice lessons. I loved it and in turn, auditioned for the Master’s program. After GSU I unsuccessfully auditioned for opera young artist programs and began teaching voice. I quickly realized that I needed to understand much more thoroughly the anatomy and function of singing before I could be an effective teacher. I completed my doctorate from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University Bloomington and came home to Atlanta where I spent seven years as a classical music host at WABE-Atlanta. I loved public radio, and it was such a fulfilling career. However, the radio station changed directions, and my job was eliminated. This job loss gave me the opportunity to focus on teaching singing and performing. I became an entrepreneur. I love helping people find their best voice.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Operating your own business always comes with obstacles. It took a few months to build a roster of students, and in the years since there have been lean times. However, I could always find additional performing gigs to supplement my income. I have never wanted to teach 40 hours a week, and I still do not. This allows me the kind of flexibility I need to stay focused and passionate about my work. I’ve never liked being a debt collector, but I have learned to be comfortable at getting paid for my work. Mostly, I am grateful to have a husband who supports and encourages me to continue building my voice studio.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I sing, and I teach singing. I like to say that I am style agnostic. What I teach is based on voice science, and I incorporate any methodology that communicates clearly with each student. This means I might use mostly imagery with a student and more science-based terminology with others. Someone’s fluffy white cloud may mean changing tongue position to another. I am still learning more and improving how I teach. Because I am actively performing, I stay relevant and engaged in the music world. I sing in many different styles and genres, but in my heart, I am an early music specialist. This means I sing music before 1800 with a historically informed practice. Emotion is in the driver’s seat when I sing music of the Baroque and earlier. Technique, articulation, and gesture is sitting in the backseat rooting emotion on. I am most proud of the longevity and high quality of my singing and teaching, and I think this combination sets me apart from others.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I was Jennifer Lawrence’s voice coach on Hunger Games: Mockingjay. I taught her to sing “The Hanging Tree.” Perhaps most surprising is that I am also a Certified Scrum Master. I interned as a project manager with a tech firm during the pandemic. I am seeking a job as a project manager as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.yangtemko.com/wanda/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yangsoprano/
