Sheila Kearney Converse, a native of upstate New York, teaches Studio Voice, Survey of Music Literature, Women and Music, and Opera History. Before joining the faculty at WSU, Ms. Converse taught at the University of Idaho in Moscow and at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky.

She has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York; a Master of Arts in Music Therapy from New York University; a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Idaho; and an Interdisciplinary Doctorate from Washington State University,

focusing on the work of twentieth century women composers. Her voice teachers have included Evelyn Hertzmann, Giulio Gari, Marjorie Lawrence, Elisabeth Parham, Leona Roberts, and Dorothy Barnes.

While Dr. Converse is primarily a singer, she has enjoyed working with several choirs. Church choirs have included the Disciples of Christ in Danville, Kentucky and Trinity Lutheran and Community Congregational United Church of Christ in Pullman, Washington. College choirs have included WSU's University Singers and Lewis-Clark State College's Concert Choir. This is her first experience conducting a community choir and it has been a tremendous joy.

Among the roles Ms. Converse has sung are Carmen in Carmen, Dorabella in Cosi Fan Tutte, Marthe in Faust, the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, Augusta in The Ballad of Baby Doe, and the Principessa in Suor Angelica. She has appeared with the New Jersey Opera Young Artist's Quartet, the Long Beach Grand Opera, the Opera of Central Kentucky, and Washington Opera East. Additionally with organizations as diverse as the Washington Idaho Symphony, the Idaho-Washington Concert Chorale, the Arkansas Symphony, and the Lexington Philharmonic, she has sung Handel's Messiah, Verdi's Requiem, Rossini's Petit Messe Solenelle, Copland's In the Beginning and Mozart's Requiem. An active recitalist, her performances have included faculty recitals at the University of Idaho and Washington State University, a duet recital with colleague Julie Wieck, recitals of music by women, and a lecture recital on the songs of Nadia Boulanger.

Sheila Converse is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and of MTNA. She resides in Pullman with her husband, theatre professor Terry Converse, and their two children, Kathleen and Ryan.