Personal Statement/Bio:

I work to help each student achieve his or her music goals. Whether the student wants to simply enjoy singing more or to become a professional Broadway singer, I take the goal seriously and work towards it step by step. Many singers teach voice because they need money and they generally teach all students the way they were taught. When I was in music school, while I had a desire to become a singer, I became more and more interested in how the voice was trained. When I attended Master Classes, Voice Pedagogy Classes, when renowned vocal coaches were brought in, I paid close attention to every detail of their teaching. I studied books on vocal coaching, read journals, studied anatomy, learned postural alignment techniques (Alexander), and quickly became qualified to teach any type of voice in any type of music style. I also learned to teach each student individually based on that student's specific set of vocal, mental, and physical make up.

I have worked as a vocal coach, music director for shows, small chorus director, and singer for 12 years. So far, 100% of my students who go on to study voice in college receive the highest scholarship available for vocal studies. Soon these students will graduate and we look forward to hearing their successes. Of my students interested in Pop, Rock, or Country music, some are in L.A. pursuing a music career and others are developing themselves locally to expand regionally or nationally. My success begins when all these students reach their goals and my work does not end until that time, even after they "graduate" from my voice lessons.

Education/Training:

I am trained in the Bel Canto school of teaching as well as having an extensive background in Voice Science. I have a BM in Vocal Performance and a BS in Biology. I have training in Alexander technique.

Teaching Philosophy:

I work to open the voice so that your voice comes out, become richer, more powerful, and is relaxed to the point that singing is a joy and is easy. I do not attempt to "add" a voice or "create" a voice in you. I teach each student differently, based on that student's needs. I am not a one style teacher who teaches the same way he or she was taught. I am a grower not a builder. You are the developing instrument and I take care to help the voice that is "you" grow and mature safely, with stability, and power.

Each lesson I give one to three things for you to work on, based on what you have done in the previous week, give feedback, and give you work to do on your own to practice between lessons. With 15 minutes of practice a day you can develop a free voice. With an hour a day of practice each day you can also develop specific technical skills required for specific music types should you have the goal of being a professional or highly trained amateur.

Music Programs:

Students have the ability to perform in showcases twice a year, arranged like a show rather than a recital. Students also have the opportunity to sing informal concerts throughout the year. We also have music specific concerts for students: pop concerts, music theater reviews, rock show, opera scenes, and others based on our current student population and their music goals.

Students also have the opportunity to perform in musicals--we produce 5-7 musicals a year and my students are also involved in musicals at local community theaters.

Cancellation Policy:

Lessons are scheduled on a weekly basis at the same day and time each week, but I do allow rescheduling of lessons as late as the same day in the case of sickness but at least a week in advance in the case of a conflict. Lessons not attended or rescheduled are not credited forward into the future.

Promotions:

I offer one free evaluation lesson where we learn about your voice, and I give you some feedback and determine your responses. This lesson helps me to evaluate whether you will follow directions and determine your area of interest. It allows you to see what a voice lesson is like before committing.

I have semester payment plans that offer substantial discounts (for example 12 lessons for the price of 10)