Dr. LaToya Lain is a nationally and internationally recognized singing artist, scholar, and pedagogue whose career bridges elite performance, innovative vocal teaching, and sustained scholarship. Dr. Lain currently serves as Associate Professor of Voice at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she teaches applied voice, The History and Performance Practice of the Negro Spiritual, and Music Theatre History. She serves as the Advisor for the Music Theatre Minor, has acted as music director for musical theatre productions, and currently serves as Interim Director of Undergraduate Studies.
As a performer, Dr. Lain maintains an active career in opera, concert, and recital. She has appeared with major institutions including The Metropolitan Opera, North Carolina Opera, Cincinnati Opera, and Teatro Regio di Torino, and has performed internationally throughout Europe, Africa, and South America. Her work with The Metropolitan Opera includes productions of Porgy and Bess and Fire Shut Up in My Bones, both GRAMMY Award–winning recordings. In addition to her work as a singing artist, Dr. Lain has previously served on the faculty of the Bay View Music Festival as music director for musical theatre productions, bringing her combined expertise as performer, conductor, and pedagogue to the training of emerging artists.
Dr. Lain is widely regarded as a leading authority on the history and performance practice of the Negro Spiritual. She teaches a dedicated course on the subject and is frequently invited to present lecture recitals, masterclasses, and scholarly talks at major universities and conferences. Her work contributes directly to curricular diversification and historically informed performance, aligning with institutional commitments to inclusive excellence and artistic integrity.
In parallel, Dr. Lain is developing an innovative interdisciplinary research agenda that integrates anatomy, kinesiology, and corrective strength training into classical vocal pedagogy. She has completed formal coursework in anatomy and kinesiology and holds certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Her emerging research focuses on identifying and correcting muscular imbalances and postural distortions in singers, offering new pedagogical strategies to enhance vocal efficiency, physical resilience, and career longevity.