Ellen Repp
Arriving in New York City in late February 1980, finding a voice teacher was a top priority for me. Through recommendations of friends and colleagues, I called Miss Ellen Repp who lived near Lincoln Center. Her resonant and warm voice answered the phone, “Hello, Repp here!” That was a bit of a surprise way to answer the phone. I quickly learned she always answered her phone calls with, “Repp here” or if she called me she would say, “Kathy? Repp here”. Amusing and quite telling of her humorous warm personality. Our conversation proceeded when I introduced myself, explained who recommended her as a teacher and then asked if I may please audition for her voice studio. A time was agreed upon for a week later and I was assured she would have a pianist on hand to play for me. I arrived at Miss Repp’s apartment, knocked on the door and was greeted by a woman in her 70s with red hair beautifully arranged on the top of her head, dressed elegan...