Professor & Chair
Diehn School of Music

Nancy Klein

757-683-4949

SUITE 2123 DIEHN CENTER
NORFOLK, 23529

Dr. Nancy Klein is a native of Virginia, receiving her early music education in the Fairfax County Schools. She earned the B.S. in Music Education from the University of Richmond (cum laude), M.M.E in Vocal Performance from EKU (honors), Ph.D. in Music from NYU (valedictorian). While in New York she served as the Assistant Director/ Director of the NYU Choral Program. Dr. Klein has studied conducting and has performed as a soprano with Eric Ericson, Robert Shaw, John deRevere and James Erb.

Dr. Klein has directed the ODU Choral Department since 1986. Under her direction, the University Choir and Diehn Chorale have performed in St. Giles Cathedral, Scotland; Carnegie Hall; Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center; St. Patrick’s Cathedral; Tokyo, Japan, and throughout Italy. She has prepared Choirs for Combined Armed Forces performances, conducted the Continental Army Band and directed choirs/bands on the USS John C. Stennis, USS Enterprise and USS North Carolina. She recently conducted Mozart’s Solemn Vespers before a sold out audience at Avery Fischer Hall, Lincoln Center and is the regular conductor for the Sound of America Honor Choir, performing in the Cathedral of Notre Dame, St. Mark’s Basilica, and numerous concert halls throughout Europe for four tours.

Dr. Klein is much sought after as a guest conductor and vocal clinician. She is recognized nationally by “Who’s Who in America,” “Who’s Who of America’s Teachers,” “Who’s Who Among Women in America” and “Who’s Who in Entertainment.” She is the 2013 recipient of the ALLI Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads (Southeastern Virginia). Dr. Klein has received numerous teaching awards; including the prestigious Joel Lewis Award for Excellence in Student Mentoring and the Robert Stern Award for Excellence in Teaching and most recently was awarded the University Professor designation for preeminence as a teacher. Dr. Klein is currently Professor of Choral Music and Director/Chair of the F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music.

Ph.D. in Music in Higher Education, New York University, (1986)

M.M. in Vocal Performance, Eastern Kentucky University, (1982)

B.S. in Music Education, Westhampton College of the University of Richmond, (1976)

Virginia Professional Teaching License Music k-12
Sponsoring Organization: Va Dept of Education
Date Obtained: 1976-05-01
Orff Schulwerk Certificate, Level II
Sponsoring Organization: Old Dominion University
Date Obtained:
Post-graduate Choral Studies
Sponsoring Organization: Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey
Date Obtained:
Post-graduate Studies Choral Arranging
Sponsoring Organization: Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey
Date Obtained:
Orff-Kodaly-Laban, Certificate Level I
Sponsoring Organization: Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona
Date Obtained:

Contracts, Grants and Sponsored Research

Ford, M. and Klein, N. ""Brass and Voices, the works of Adolphus Hailstork"" $1,000. 2014 - 2015
Ford, M. and Klein, N. ""Remember and Rejoice", the Sesquicentennial commemoration of the Civil War with a World Premiere work by Adolphus Hailstorm" $1,850. 2013 - 2014
Ford, M. and Klein, N. ""Remember and rejoice", the Sesquicentennial commemoration of the Civil War with a World Premiere work by Adolphus Hailstorm" $500. September 2013 - May 2014
Ford, M. and Klein, N. ""Remember and rejoice", the Sesquicentennial commemoration of the Civil War with a World Premiere work by Adolphus Hailstorm" $300. September 2013 - May 2014
Ford, M. and Klein, N. ""Remember and rejoice", the Sesquicentennial commemoration of the Civil War with a World Premiere work by Adolphus Hailstorm" $925. September 2013 - May 2014

Expertise

Music
Choral Activities, Music Education, Conducting, Graduate Program Director

Articles

Klein, N. and Earlenbaugh, D. (2011). "Systematic Sightreading" . The Instrumentalist.
Klein, N. (2010). "Visionary Leadership and the Conductor". Journal of the Conductor Guild 29.
Klein, N. (1990). "Music and Music Education in the Shaker Societies of America". The Bulletin of Historical Research in Music Education XI (1).
Klein, N. (1990). Music and Music Education in the Shaker Societies of America. The Bulletin of Historical Research in Music Education XI (1).
Klein, N. (1990). "Singing Schools: The First Step in Music Education". University of Kentucky Research Journal.
Klein, N. (1990). Singing Schools: The First Step in Music Education. University of Kentucky Research Journal.
Klein, N. (1989). Choral Review. NOTES, Virginia Music Educators Association XLI (3).
Klein, N. (1989). Choral Review. NOTES, Virginia Music Educators Association XLI (2).
Klein, N. (1989). Choral Review. NOTES, Virginia Music Educators Association XLI (1).
Klein, N. (1988). Choral Review. NOTES, Virginia Music Educators Association XL (3).

Presentations

Klein, N. (March , 2008). Arts Education: the Leadership Dilemma National Conference on Arts Education NY, NY.
Klein, N. ( 2007). Visionary Leadership and the Conductor: Skills you need to Know Delaware Music Educators Association MENC State Conference New Castle, Delaware.
Klein, N. (November , 2007). Leadership Skills and the Conductor; How and Why Virginia Music Educators Association/ MENC State Conference Norfolk, Virginia.
Klein, N. ( 2006). Vocal Technique, Conducting Skill and Leadership Issues for the Church Musician Centre for Sacred Music Regional Conference Norfolk, VA.
Klein, N. ( 2006). Choral Techniques: Point and Purpose European Music Educators Association Annual Conference Vicenza, Italy.
Klein, N. ( 2006). Recruiting Male Singers Through Quartet Singing European Music Educators Association Annual Conference Vicenza, Italy.
Klein, N. ( 2006). Impact Teaching: Using Music in the Classroom International Conference for Arts and Humanities Hawaii.
Klein, N. ( 2006). Leadership Skills and Their Implications for the Conductor The International Conference for Arts and Humanities Hawaii.
Klein, N. ( 2005). Expressive Singing and Expressive Conducting: The Baton and the Hand as Channels of Music Making International Conference for Arts and Humanities Hawaii.
Klein, N. ( 2001). Victory At Sea: A Tribute to Mike King VMEA State Conference .
Klein, N. ( 2000). Kinesics and the Conductor The Allerton Choral Retreat .
Klein, N. ( 1997). Conducting, The Language of a Gesture VMEA State Conference .
Klein, N. ( 1995). Starting a Choral Program from Scratch VMEA State Conference .
Klein, N. ( 1993). History and Development of Music Education in the State of Virginia VMEA State Conference .
Klein, N. ( 1991). Preparing Choirs for Competition VMEA State Conference .
Klein, N. ( 1990). Singing Schools: The First Step in Music Education KMEA State Conference, Poster Session Louisville, Kentucky.
Klein, N. ( 1990). Singing Schools: An Historical Perspective of Music Education Southern Division National Conference Winston-Salem, N.C..
Klein, N. ( 1990). Recruiting Male Singers Through Barbershop Singing VMEA State Conference .
Klein, N. ( 1990). A Comparison and Analysis of State Music Education Journals VMEAS tate Conference, Poster Session .
Klein, N. ( 1989). Lesson Planning For The Music Educator VMEA State Conference .
  • 2016: "Kappa Alpha Psi - Save Our Youth Foundation Community Achiever",
  • 2015: "Who's Who in America", Marquis,
  • 2013: Viane B. Webb Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts, ALLI Award,
  • 2012: "Who's Who of Women in America" Marquis Who's Who,
  • 2012: ALLI Award Nominee, Cultural Alliance for Greater Hampton Roads,
  • 2012: Burgess Award for Creative Research, nominee,
  • 2011: "Who's Who in Academia" Sutton Who's Who,
  • 2011: "Who's Who in North America" Sutton Who's Who,
  • 2011: University Professor Designation for Outstanding Teaching, Old Dominion University
  • 2010: Office of Student Activities Appreciation Award, Old Dominion University
  • 2010: Shining Star Award for commitment to student growth and development, Old Dominion University
  • 2010: Robert Stern Award for Excellence in Teaching, College of Arts and Letters
  • 2008: Joel Lewis Award for Excellence in Faculty Mentoring, ODU
  • 2007: MENC/VMEA 25 years of Service Award,
  • 2007: Who’s Who in Fine Arts Higher Education,
  • 2006: Most Inspiring Faculty,
  • 2005: Most Inspiring Faculty,
  • 2005: Who’s Who among America’s Teachers,
  • 2005: Who’s Who in America,
  • 2003: Who’s Who in America,
  • 1999: Honorary Member, Salem High School Chapter of Tri-M Music Honor Society
  • 1999: Nominated by students for “Robert Stern Award for Teaching Excellence”,
  • 1999: Who’s Who in Entertainment,
  • 1996: Honorary Member and Keynote Speaker, Golden Key National Honor Society, Old Dominion University
  • 1995: “Outstanding Faculty” Certificate, “Who’s Who” Award Ceremony, ODU
  • 1991: Included in the “Directory of Women Scholars of Hampton Roads”,
  • 1991: Nominated by Department for “Robert Stern Award for Teaching Excellence”,
  • 1990: Who’s Who in the South and Southeast,
  • 1986: Dissertation nominated for Outstanding Research Award, Journal of Research in Music Education
  • 1986: Valedictory Speaker, New York University Commencement School of Education, Health and Arts Professions
  • 1984: Pi Kappa Lambda, Music Honor Society
  • 1984: Roger P. Phelps Research Grant, Phi Delta Kappa, Education Honor Society, New York University
  • 1976: Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Delta Kappa,

Organizational Chart