The Crossover Connection

Donna Hinds Sawyers, BM, MM, is co-founder and Houston Executive Director of Studio Bella Voce, a comprehensive crossover vocal studio business. With co-author Laurie Lee Cosby, she wrote A Most Rewarding Independent Music Studio, published by Scott McCoy at Inside View Press. She is currently serving on the voice faculty in the Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre, at Sam Houston State University, in Huntsville, Texas. Ms. Hinds Sawyers is an enthusiastic advocate for Classical, Musical Theatre and CCM genres, focusing on diverse styles and audition preparation. Her students can be seen on Broadway, National, and World Tours. In addition, Ms. Hinds Sawyers’ students have excelled in competitions such as Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, and the National High School Musical Theatre Awards.

Ms. Cotton Cobb, in addition to teaching voice privately has held academic positions at The University of Oklahoma, Houston Baptist University and Sam Houston State University, She holds a B.A. and M.M. in Vocal Pedagogy from the University of Texas at Austin, as well as a B.A. in Psychology. She has been a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) for the past 15 years, serving as Co-Vice President of Auditions for the Houston chapter from 2002-2004 and College Vocal Music Fair Representative from 2006-2008 and 2011-2013. Robin is a full voting member for the Pan American Voice Association (PAVA), and also a member of The National Opera Association. CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Most recently Ms. Cobb performed the vocally and dramatically demanding role of Diana Goodman in the pop/rock musical Next to Normal. Operatic role highlights include Donna Ana in Don Giovanni, Fiordiligi and Despina, Cosi Fan Tutte, Cleopatra; Julius Ceaser, Angelica; Suor Angelica, Micaela; Carmen, Nedda; Pagliacci, Gretel; Hansel und Gretel, First Lady; The Magic Flute, Female Chorus; The Rape of Lucretia, Madeline; The Face on the Barroom Floor and Orthlinde in Die Walkure. She has has performed as soprano soloist with the Colorado Symphony in Bernstein’s Mass and Handel’s Messiah. Her Additional musical theater credits include: Desiree in A Little Night Music and Marion in The Music Man in Austin, Texas; and a series of musical theater evenings performed with the Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra featuring songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Jerome Kern and Harold Arlen.