Dr Tessa Romano is tenure-track Lecturer in Voice at Te Whare Wnanga o Ltkou (University of Otago) in Ltepoti/Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand. Appointed to this position in June 2019, their current teaching mission is broadening the Western classical music canon by introducing their students to pedagogically sound works by underrepresented composers alongside the works that we know and love.

Their most recent pedagogical research involves helping navigate the changes in the singing voice of transgender singers on testosterone therapy. Dr. Romano has a DMA in vocal performance and pedagogy from the University of Colorado Boulder, an MMus in vocal performance from the University of Michigan, and a BA in Italian literature and music from Princeton University. Prior to moving to Ltepoti, Tessa freelanced in New York City as a performer and voice teacher, which is how they became involved with NYSTA.