Who We Are
Little scholarship exists about Czech art song history and its music.
We want to change that.
As the founder of the Czech Art Song Initiative, it is my passion to educate singers, teachers, collaborative artists, conductors, and lovers of classical music about the wonders of Czech history, music, language, and culture.
Here, we will delve into the wonderful world of Czech art song — rather than just a cursory paragraph in a textbook. You’ll learn how the fascinating history of the Czech Republic helped shaped this small country into a mighty musical force in the greater Western European realm, and you’ll be exposed to music that, quite possibly, has never been heard outside of the Czech Republic.
-Kylie T. Gougler, Founder
About the Founder
Heralded by D Magazine as “continually captivating, sensitive, and vocally magnificent,” Dr. Kylie T. Gougler’s operatic roles include Pamina in Die Zauberflöte, Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte, Mařenka in Prodaná nevěsta, Governess in Turn of the Screw, and the title role in Suor Angelica.
Dr. Gougler received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa, her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of North Texas, and her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Luther College, where she previously taught applied voice and Introduction to Opera. She is currently a Lecturer in Music at Wartburg College, and most recently served on the faculties of Clarke University, Waldorf University, and Luther College, respectively.
For over a decade, Dr. Gougler has been an advocate for Czech opera and art song, and has performed both domestically and internationally. In 2011, Dr. Gougler won the American semifinals of the Czech and Slovak International Voice Competition, and went on to compete in the international finals in Montreal, Quebec. She has been an in-demand presenter and recitalist, most recently giving a masterclass and Czech song recital at SUNY Fredonia. In May 2025, Dr. Gougler is honored to give a recital of Czech, Slovak, and American art songs for the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library’s (NCSML) Economic Summit Gala, where the Czech and Slovak Ambassadors, respectively, will be in attendance. Currently, she serves as the Co-Director of the American International Czech and Slovak Competition at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, which hosts 20-25 singers from all over the world. Dr. Gougler is the editor of Czech Arias for Soprano: An Anthology, Czech Arias for Bass/Baritone: An Anthology, and Czech Aris for Tenor: An Anthology, available through Classical Vocal Reprints.
Dr. Gougler is also a proud recipient of the NATS 2020 Emerging Leader Award.