Bio

Dara Whitehead Allen, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a singer, actor, teacher, vocal coach, and licensed speech language pathologist.  She holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Texas Tech University and a Master of Science in Communication Disorders from the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at The University of Texas at Dallas.  Ms. Allen has completed additional graduate studies in music at Texas Tech University and The University of North Texas and is certified by the State of Texas to teach all-level music.  She is certified in the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) and a member of the Actor’s Equity Association (AEA), the National Association for Teachers of Singing (NATS), the American Society for Speech Language and Hearing (ASHA) and The Voice Foundation.  Ms. Allen has been a soloist with nationally recognized symphony orchestras, has appeared in numerous leading roles on the regional stage, and has toured nationally.  In addition, she maintains a busy private voice studio, and her students have been recognized across the country, including participation on “American Idol.”  Ms. Allen is a co-founder of Basic Stages, a company that teaches the art of persuasive communication using the tools of the actor.  She is a frequent guest lecturer at universities across the region, and she is an adjunct faculty member at The University of Texas School of Law.  Ms. Allen is owner of the Austin Voice Institute, which offers a wide variety of services related to the management of voice and speech disorders for adults and children.