Lina Maria Åkerlund, Professor of Singing
The mezzo-soprano has been enthusiastically teaching singing in various forms and at all levels for more than 35 years: from master classes for professional soloists, teachers and vocal students to musical coaching in secondary schools.
For 23 years, she has been training young singers at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) to become successful international opera, concert and vocal teachers. As head of the vocal department, she coordinates the interests of the department and is committed to the development and quality assurance of vocal training at the ZHdK.
Within the university, she has led study weeks on the interpretation of French song (with Anne le Bozec) and historical performance practice (with Johann Sonnleitner, among others).
The internationally sought-after teacher has worked for years as an external expert for university examinations throughout Switzerland, both in solo singing and in vocal pedagogy. As a guest lecturer at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis or as a lecturer at master classes in Switzerland and abroad, she is committed to young soloists and singing teachers. She also acts as a juror in competitions.
Experimental formats and music-theatrical performances have fascinated and accompanied the mezzo-soprano since her studies. With her class at the ZHdK, she conducts workshops on a wide variety of topics, e.g. non-verbal communication, "Incantar- Enchanter" - a singing, mobile flash mob, definition and evaluation of a performance and mental training with horses.
This is also how her "Salon Musical" came about, a project that began as a series of concerts in historical rooms (with a historical background) with rediscovered songs from the 19th century.
Lina Maria Åkerlund also works as an individual coach for vocal pedagogy at all levels and gives seminars and workshops on presentation and non-verbal communication for a wide range of companies.
She was a member of the board of "Freunde des Liedes" Zurich from 2004 to 2010.
Awards such as the "Credit Suisse Award for Best Teaching 2008" at the ZHdK testify to her professional and pedagogical experience and presence.
Since 2016, she has been teaching in a team with renowned professors at international universities as part of a pilot project she initiated:
- 2016 and 2017 Team Teachings with Susan Waters at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and at the ZHdK in Zurich.
- 2018 Team Teachings with KS Prof. Andreas Schmidt at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich and at the ZHdK in Zurich.
In her studio "Voicecoach", Lina Maria Åkerlund accompanies and supports professional singers from various genres.
Her teaching languages are:
- German
- Swiss German
- English
- French German
- Swedish
- Italian