Dr. Steven LaCosse
UNC School of the Arts
The University of North Carolina School of the Arts' 2010-2011 nominee for the Excellence in Teaching Award is Dr. Steven LaCosse, faculty member and Assistant Dean in the School of Music. Dr. LaCosse joined the faculty at University of North Carolina School of the Arts in 1997, and he also serves as Managing Director of the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute.
Dr. LaCosse states in his Teaching Philosophy/Artistic Statement that he understands his teaching responsibilities center on an obligation "to teach the whole artist." He pursues that goal by providing students with the basic artistic skills they need to become accomplished artists, and by engaging in thorough and ongoing assessments tailored to each individual student. Dr. LaCosse emphasizes this need to challenge students to improve based upon continuing assessment, so that they ultimately understand what it is "to be good citizens of the artistic world." Dr. LaCosse believes strongly that all students should accomplish this goal; he helps do so by modeling this kind of citizenry to his students.
Reviews by students and peers reflect the energy that Dr. LaCosse brings to the classroom, and the enthusiasm that he fosters in students. A consistent theme is the manner in which Dr. LaCosse creates a "safe environment" in which students can make mistakes as they develop their artistic skills. He is praised for the manner in which he has concern for each individual artist with whom he works. Dr. LaCosse is well regarded as a stage director by students and peers at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and in the opera profession. He is also commended as a performer, noted by one reviewer who states that Dr. LaCosse's "artistry is excellent." Furthermore, Dr. LaCosse is praised for his "brilliant" work as an administrator, both in opera production and in his role as Assistant Dean.
Dr. LaCosse earned the BM in Voice at Indiana University (South Bend) in 1983, the MM in Voice at the University of North Texas in 1988, the MS in Opera Stage Direction at Indiana University in 1992, and the DM in Voice at Indiana University in 2008. He remains very active professionally in opera production at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and with various opera companies and festivals throughout the United States.