Charlotte Hivstendahl was a highly trained musician specializing in voice training. She studied at the University of Chicago, where she learned the "legato" style of voice training that is associated with an Italian tradition.
Mrs. Hvistendahl was married to Dale Hvistendahl, a farmer near Oakes North Dakota, who was well known for his inventions and ideas. Both of them moved to Ellendale sometime in the 1970s, where Charlotte took up teaching in the music department of Trinity Bible Institute (which became Trinity Bible College in 1983). She was much loved by her students, who will never forget her insistence on avoiding "chest breathing" and her constant reminders to sing from down deep in the diaphragm.
Charlotte's book _Voice Production_ was published in 1985 by Trinity Print 'N Press, Ellendale North Dakota. It's a practical manual, and will also bring back memories to those who had Mrs. Hvistendahl as a teacher.
