Myrona L. Delaney

M.A. in Art, 1992; Ed.D. in Educational Administration, 2009
School of Education

September 1, 2012

Performer, Administrator, and Educator Nurtures Development of Creative Thinking

“I remember the long hours at the piano, examining every passage, searching for perfection.”

Dr. Myrona DeLaney’s union with the ivory keys was a passion. At the age of three, her grandmother began the arduous task of teaching Myrona the basics of piano. By age ten, Myrona was winning many local awards for her accomplishments at the piano. Her teacher decided that at 13 she should begin study at Ashland University. Ohio University then offered her a piano scholarship, and at 17, Myrona began attacking the works of Bach, Mozart, and Rachmaninoff in a 6th floor practice room for four hours every day.

“Soon, the hours alone wore on me. I would sing Beethoven’s melody line sometimes to distract myself from the monotony of the repetitive practice required of a classical pianist.”

In time, the singing became more important to Myrona, and the roads diverged. Majors changed, and Myrona now focused on training her voice.

This instrument – voice – spoke from within, awakened me, and challenged me in fresh ways.

The study of acting and dance interacted with Myrona’s ongoing music study, and she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Vocal Performance, the first step on her road to a career in Musical Theatre.

After receiving her B.F.A., Myrona moved to the Chicago area where she had her first professional performance opportunities, playing lead roles in Spin Cycle, Carousel, Oliver, South Pacific, and The Fantasticks! She also was the “front man” for a local disco band.

When Valparaiso University offered Myrona the directorship of the all-campus Show Choir, she enjoyed her first university teaching experience. Then New York City beckoned, and Myrona moved east to the Big Apple. Successful auditions landed her roles in Toronto, Nashville, Orlando, and off-Broadway productions.

Royal Viking Cruise Lines provided the next adventure, and Myrona traveled the world for 15 months as lead singer of their nightly productions. She also wrote, directed, and starred in her own cabaret shows.

While working in an Orange County production of Oklahoma!, two graduate students in the show encouraged Myrona to audition for UC Irvine’s Master in Fine Arts (M.F.A.) program in musical theatre. Thus began her career in UC Irvine Drama. While a graduate student she played Phyllis in Follies and the Witch in Into the Woods as well as multiple roles in the Los Angeles area.

I also taught in the UC Irvine Gifted Program, served as a Teaching Assistant for musical theatre courses, and was hired by Costa Mesa High School as their Director of Theatre, where I headed an after school program providing 7th–12th grade students the opportunity to learn the craft of acting and production through the creation of two shows each year – Shakespeare in the Fall and musicals in the Spring.

Myrona built a well-respected program at Costa Mesa High School over her 11 years as director.

In 1992 Myrona received her M.F.A in Drama/Musical Theatre and began teaching the Musical Theatre Workshop labs at UC Irvine. This part-time lecturer position became full-time in 1997 when she took directorship of UC Irvine’s New York Satellite Program in Musical Theatre, a month long immersion program designed for students considering a professional career in musical theatre.

As Director I structure the program, develop and design the curriculum, contract the faculty, arrange the student housing and dance studio rental, and, most importantly, prepare the students for this intense experience.

At the end of Winter Quarter, Myrona and 32 students journey to Manhattan, ready to experience the life of and train with Broadway professionals.

The best actors, singers, choreographers, casting directors, musical directors, and writers work with our eager thespians, longing to share their expertise with the next generation.

Having a B.F.A. in Music and an M.F.A. in Drama did not complete the circle for Myrona: A doctorate in education was the next goal. Education’s value had been stressed in her home. Myrona’s grandmother, a grade school teacher, principal, and accomplished pianist, completed her undergraduate degree in 1921, an unusual occurrence for a woman. She had always wanted to complete an advanced degree and passed on this desire to her only granddaughter.

The UC Irvine School of Education offered me a spot in its final UCI/UCLA Educational Leadership cohort and the opportunity to carry out my grandmother’s dream.

Myrona received her doctorate in 2009. Her research focused on gifted education, creativity, and drama, exploring the development of creative thinking through beginning acting classes.

Currently Myrona is a tenured Lecturer in Drama at UC Irvine and represents the Claire Trevor School of the Arts on the Council for Educational Policy. She continues her research as her department’s Assessment Advisor and has received two grants from the school to continue refining the department’s learning outcomes through ongoing assessment of curriculum and practice, student satisfaction, and long-term career success.

Dr. Myrona L. DeLaney, echoing the sentiments of Robert Frost, knows that the road has not ended and that a fresh path awaits.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

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