Joan La Barbara

Joan La Barbara
Birth nameJoan Linda La Barbara
Born (1947-06-08) June 8, 1947
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
GenresAvant-garde, Classical, Vocal
Occupation(s)Vocalist, composer, actress, educator
Instrument(s)Vocals, electronics
Years active1971–present
LabelsWizard, Chiaroscuro, Nonesuch, New Albion, Lovely Music, Mode, New World
Websitejoanlabarbara.com

Joan Linda La Barbara (born June 8, 1947) is an American vocalist and composer known for her explorations of non-conventional or "extended" vocal techniques. Considered to be a vocal virtuoso in the field of contemporary music, she is credited with advancing a new vocabulary of vocal sounds including trills, whispers, cries, sighs, inhaled tones, and multiphonics (singing two or more pitches simultaneously).