Barbara Steinhaus, born in Madison, Wisconsin, completed a Bachelor of Music (Georgia State University), a Master of Music (University of Illinois), a Doctor of Musical Arts (University of Georgia), and more recently a Certificate in Arts in Medicine (University of Florida) and a certification in Therapeutic Musician (NSBTM). Articles based on her doctoral thesis, “An Investigation of Marian Anderson’s Interpretation of Black Spiritual Art Songs in Selected Recording,” have been published in journals such as the NATS Journal of Singing. Highlights as a professional soprano include performances with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Georgia Opera, and Atlanta Opera Studio; in Francis Poulenc’s Gloria at Carnegie Hall, New York City in 1990; and in art song recitals with former University of Illinois mentor, John Wustman, longtime piano accompanist for the tenor Luciano Pavarotti.
In her 19th year at Brenau University, having served as chair of the Department of Music from 2008–2025, she teaches Applied Voice to Music and Musical Theatre majors, and Opera Workshop. In addition, she teaches Introduction to Arts in Healthcare which serves both Fine Arts and Health Science majors. She also maintains a local practice in Therapeutic Music. As a co-PI, her current research, done in partnership between the university, the High Museum of Art (Atlanta), and Performance Hypothesis, is an investigation into the impact of art museum visitation on human growth capacities.