Students weren’t worried, but they sure were happy—when Bobby McFerrin walked into their class last week.

SFCM faculty member and singer Destani Wolf is a member of McFerrin’s group Motion and invited McFerrin and his collaborators Bryan Dyer and Dave Worm into the class to perform and work with students. “Together they did a circle-singing workshop and spoke about the importance of improvisation and allowing ourselves to be free and play with our voices.” Wolf said. 

Bobby McFerrin and faculty Destani Wolf workwith students in Studio G.

McFerrin is a 10-time GRAMMY Award winner who has blurred the distinction between pop music and fine art as a singer, songwriter and conductor. McFerrin's song “Don't Worry, Be Happy” is the only a capella track to ever reach No. 1 in the US, and won Song of the Year and Record of the Year honors at the 1989 Grammy Awards. 

This class, part of the Conservatory’s evolving Voice curriculum, is designed to expand vocalist’s knowledge of improvisation, multi-genre performance and studio work to grow their artistry and become a well-rounded working musician. In addition to the coaching session, McFerrin held a Q&A with students. 

Voice students workshop with Bobby McFerrin and faculty Destani Wolf.

“Improvisation can be as easy as one note in front of the other,” Wolf continued. She hopes students took away not only a fun and memorable experience, but an educational one that allowed them “to have fun singing in community. To create space to be free to discover the full range of the voice with an open mind. And to witness how deep listening can create intuitive singing with others.”

SFCM students pose with Bobby McFerrin.

SFCM’s voice curriculum focuses on the highest standards of professional training while repertoire and technique openly embraces opera, musical theater, and multi-genre performance.

“This structured approach enables you to continuously grow as a performer, improviser, and recording artist,” Wolf added. 

Learn more about studying Voice at SFCM.