Josephine Antoinette Estill

ESTILL,Josephine Antoinette 1921-2010 Jo Estill, an American pioneer in voice research and training, died peacefully on December 9, 2010 in Santa Rosa, California. She is survived by daughter Alice Estill Miller, son-in-law Vernon J. Miller; granddaughter, Kelsey Diane Miller; brother, Dan Vadala of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and his family. She also leaves the legacy of Estill Voice Training tm , with over 150 certified voice teachers worldwide. Josephine Antoinette Vadala was born on April 25, 1921, in Donora, Pennsylvania. She was the first child of Joseph and Margaret (nee Fresa) Vadala. In her youth, she sang professionally in Pittsburgh for radio station KQV, attended Oberlin Conservatory and then moved to Pasadena, California. From 1940-1947, she sang for the CBS Radio Network in Hollywood. Josephine moved to Colorado Springs for further voice studies and subsequently married local businessman and arts enthusiast, Thomas O. Estill. In 1949, they had daughter, Alice Antoinette Estill. Soon thereafter, she launched a European solo concert tour. Although she received stellar reviews, her tour was cut short by her husband's heart attack in 1954. They later divorced in 1957. "Josie" continued to solo with the Colorado Springs Chorale, Air Force Academy Chorus, Colorado Springs Symphony and Colorado Springs Opera. In 1966, as Adjunct Voice Instructor with the Colorado College Music Department, Jo discovered a need for quality vocal education materials that planted the seeds for the future of Estill Voice Training tm . In 1969, Jo received a BA in Liberal Arts from Colorado College. In 1971, she obtained an MA in Music Education from Case Western Reserve University. From 1972-1979, Jo was employed as a research associate in the Department of Otolaryngology, at the Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, New York. Jo then completed PhD course work at City University of New York, and continued formulating the revolutionary 'Estill Voice Model.' Based in Manhattan, she worked on a variety of research projects with key leaders in the fields of voice science all over the world publishing over 40 technical articles. She concurrently taught seminars for performers and others in her voice method which transformed sophisticated research concepts into accessible and meaningful vocal exercises. She often used videos, laboratory data and later endoscopy of the students' own vocal tracts to improve their understanding and provide them with useful feedback. Jo's success in teaching and research led to her founding 'Estill Voice Training Systems LLC' in 1992. At the age of 82, she retired. Devoted students came to celebrate her work in what became the First Estill World Voice Symposium. In June 2004, the business was sold to a partnership known today as Estill Voice International, LLC. Estill was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of East Anglia and named Honorary Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in London. In retirement, she continued to be a secondary author on scientific papers, led sing-along groups for seniors and made quilts. A memorial service is planned for 2:00 p.m. January 8, 2011 at Daniels Chapel of the Roses, 1225 Sonoma Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95405, (707-525-3730). A second service is planned for 10:00 a.m. January 15, 2011 at Shove Chapel, Colorado College, 1010 North Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903, (719-389-6607). Instead of flowers, the family urges donations to the non-profit Estill Education Fund, c/o Estill Voice International, 55 Standish Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15228 at www.EstillVoice.com. The Fund provides scholarships, supports voice research and educational materials for voice training.