Welcome, and thank you for stopping by! In addition to my professional performing career experience, I’d like to share with you more of my experience as an educator. I am a professional pianist, opera singer, and currently sing with U.S opera companies, symphonies, and arts organizations. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in piano and voice, a Master of Music degree in voice and a performance diploma in Opera. I have performed as a piano soloist, vocal soloist, and also in a rock band where I played contemporary piano and sang lead vocals. After graduating college, I became the director of a conservatory of grades k-12. It was there that I discovered my passion for music education. I developed a comprehensive music curriculum for the entire school and founded an after school teaching conservatory for all instruments and all ages. As my performance career took off I founded by private studio. My studio is made up of all ages, styles, and abilities. Every lesson is specifically designed for the individual student. I look forward to working with you on your musical goals.
Why I Teach
It is an amazing feeling to see my students reach their goals through training and practice. It is humbling and encouraging to see my students discover what they’re capable of when the correct technique is taught and the body and mind are able to work together. Many of my incoming students have come with tension and confusion from previously taught ill-informed techniques. Once we they are taught to use their bodies in the most efficient way, it is like a light bulb turns on. I live for those moments! It is equally special to have a student without any previous experience. To see a child’s own fears be conquered after playing a scale or an adult student discovering a vocal range they did not know existed is a great reward for me.
Philosophy
Voice
No matter what genre you choose to focus on, I teach the classical bel canto vocal technique as the foundation to any style. Bel canto means beautiful singing in Italian and it is the oldest and most studied vocal technique in Western music. In addition, we will also be working with the fundamentals of the Alexander Technique. This technique helps one become aware of one’s body when performing and helps the performer address tensions which hinder optimal performance.
Our lessons together will generally include a vocal warm up, Alexander technique exercises, and repertoire. It is important to note that we will develop an individualized lesson plan and curriculum.
Other subjects may include:
Solfeggio
Sight Reading
Singing in foreign languages
Memorization
Music history
Music theory
International Phonetic Alphabet
Piano
We will also strengthen your hands through technique exercises and scales. Our lessons will generally include technique warm ups and repertoire, and memorization. Because there are various genres within piano repertoire, it is important to note that we will develop an individualized lesson plan and curriculum.
Other subjects may include:
Improvisation
Music theory
Chord structure
Music history
Sight reading
Songwriting
These lessons are open to students who play other instruments or are currently studying piano and voice and want to pursue writing their own music. We will work with contemporary styles such as pop, ballads, and musical theater. We will work on poetry, syntax, musical language and style, improvisation, and composition. Songwriting can be incorporated into your piano or voice lessons.