Personal Statement/Bio:

ULTIMATE GOAL: My goal is to not only make all my students the best performers and singers they can be but to also give them all the proper tools they need to become self-sufficient. Being a self-sufficient singer/performer just means that they can assess a problem on their own and then know how to fix it without damaging their voice. If the student can master that, then they don’t need a voice teacher anymore and in a way become their own voice teachers. Of course this takes many years to master and doesn’t happen over night. It takes time and dedication.

BIO: I've been performing all of my life. After 20+ yrs of performance experience, 17+ yrs of Bel Canto vocal training, 12+ yrs of musical theatre training, 9+ years Stanislavski/Chekhov/Stella Adler acting training, 8+ yrs of Theater/Camera acting training, and 10+ yrs of song writing experience, I have starred in 40+ musicals and 20+ Off-Broadway Cabarets. I have directed, produced, written, and starred in one woman shows, two women shows, touring music revues, and originated the role of Antigone in Oedipus: the musical (Tri-becca Studios/NYC). I am a proud member of The National Association of Teachers of Singing, proud member of BMI, Owner/ Teacher of The Menconi Performance Studio (Private Home Studio founded in 2005), the President/Founder of both Sunshine Face Productions and Sunshine Face music publishing. I’ve had many wonderful experiences performing in front of sold out crowds and have been honored with standing ovations.

I have performed with many people in the business including David Fields (2 Time Grammy Winner), Haim Cotton (7 Time Grammy Nominee; Project Grand Slam), Bethany Joy (Lenz) Galeotti (One Tree Hill), and Oz Noy (Top NYC Recording Studio Guitarist). I have studied at some of NYC's and NJ's most well respected schools such as ACTeen (Weist-Barron); TVI Studios; Actor's Connection; The Network (The Barrow Group Theatre); Broadway Dance Center; Robin Horneff's Performing Arts Center; Carol Baskinger’s Dance Designs; Action Theatre Conservatory, and Act II Performing Arts Center. I am currently training and I have studied with renown casting directors, directors, composers and instructors such as Dave Clemmons (David Clemmons Casting), Benj Pasek/Justin Paul (Composers Pasek and Paul), Judy Hages, Michael Laibson (Emmy Winning Director), Brette Goldstein (CD), Adam Reid (Award Winning Director), Mark Simon (Mark Simon Casting), Lisa Tracy, Kathleen Kalleigh, Joel Robertson, Ron MacFarland, and many more. I am very serious about my craft both teaching and performing. I try to make everyone want to do their best in a fun and nurturing environment.

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A VOICE TEACHER AND A VOICE COACH: A voice teacher is NOT a pianist. A voice teacher teaches real technique and knows how the voice works in all situations. A voice teacher teaches the student how to warm their own voices up, help build vocal range, and teaches them how to keep their voices healthy at all times (even if the student becomes ill). Also a good voice teacher will give the student notes they can use outside of class so the student knows what to do alone.

A vocal coach plays piano very well and knows a lot about song genres for different voice types. A vocal coach DOES NOT teach singing technique. A vocal coach helps you choose material and can help the student sing with emotion.

Even though I am not a vocal coach, I am also an acting teacher. I not only teach each student proper singing technique but also performance skills. I help my students sing songs with emotion and help my students become true artists.

THE MENCONI PERFORMANCE STUDIO (PRIVATE HOME STUDIO): Where you learn not only healthy singing/acting/performance technique but how to
become a self-sufficient artist and find your true self!

Education/Training:

Rachel's Training And Performance Experiences At A Glance:

-17+ years of intense Bel Canto singing technique.
-20+ years performance experience.
-40+ shows starred in.
-20+ Off-Broadway Cabarets starred in.
-12+ years Of Musical Theatre Training.
-10+ years of Stanislavsky, Chekhov, and Stella Adler Acting Technique.
-8+ Theatre/On-Camera acting (TV, Film, Soap Opera, Cold Reading, sit com...etc).
-10+ years of song writing experience.
-4+ years recording studio.
-6+ years of dance (Tap/Hip-hop/Jazz).
-BMI Member.
-Founder/President of the music publishing company called "Sunshine Face".
-Founder/President of the theatre/production company called "Sunshine Face Productions".

Have trained with and performed with Grammy award winners/nominees, Emmy award winners/nominees, and tony award winners/nominees.

Teaching Philosophy:

I have been teaching both voice and acting to children, teens, and to adults for 10+ years. When working with a student privately or in a class (small by design), I am able to focus on each student's individual needs and develop their skills (singing, acting, and performance) at a comfortable pace. Everyone learns differently. Each student is taught differently so they can learn and grow as a performer at their own pace. I challenge each person without intimidation.

The student should never feel uncomfortable or intimidated by their teacher. I work with a philosophy that both the teacher and student must feel comfortable and work together like a team in the lesson at all times or else the student won't reach their maximal potential. Because I am also a performer, I understand and can relate to my students every step of the way, because I've been there too.

Learning this technique is a process. It doesn’t happen overnight. Each student gets what they put in while using this technique. It is important to understand that each student learns differently and each student must learn on their own time in order for them to be successful.

I am a voice teacher, NOT a pianist or vocal coach. The only time I ever use a piano/keyboard in the lesson is when I warm my students' voices up. I don't use a piano because I feel I can't pay much attention to my students if I'm reading notes and looking at the keyboard. My students either sing with karaoke tracks or sing to the normal CD. I sing and teach with a technique called "Bel Canto" which means beautiful singing in Italian. It is an Italian based technique where we focus on the breath & support rather than where your tongue is. Instead of just using your diaphragm to support your voice (like in the German technique), we use our lower abdominal muscles to compress the air and then pull in gradually with every phrase sung. Then when you've used up your air and are ready to take another breath, you release your stomach and do it all over again. Doing this gives you better breath control & gives you a bigger voice.

The desire to sing is natural and the singer should make it seem effortless, but singing correctly is NOT in the beginning when learning how to sing. When you are a baby you breath correctly but when you age you stop breathing deeply because of life’s stresses which is why singing correctly doesn’t seem natural at first. Even though this is a classical based technique; you don't have to sing classical music. DON'T BE FOOLED! Just because you sing classical music, doesn't mean you are being classically trained.

We Sing All Genres (Broadway, Rock, Country, Pop, Punk, Alternative...etc.)! EVER WONDER WHY SOME PEOPLE SOUND LIKE THEY ARE SO MUCH OLDER THEN THEY ARE? Using this technique, you'll save your voice. You'll get older but your voice will sound vibrant & young. This will allow you to sing as long as you want. (Tony Bennett uses the Bel Canto technique which is why he still has a great voice even at 80!)

BEL CANTO BENEFITS:

-Can't hurt your voice!

-Develop a bigger voice and range

-No more “Break” in the voice and obtain a more evenness of tone quality through out voice.

-Protect the voice from abuse (vocal chord swelling, bowing, nodules, polyps, and nodes)

-Improve your artistry

-Better breath control/tone quality!

-Sing while you are sick, allergies, and never crack or be hoarse again (unless you are sick!)

-Learn the most efficient way to warm up your voice completely (inside or outside of the lesson).

-No more pitch or harmony problems!

-Learn how to warm up your own voice!

-Sing with consistency and Gain confidence!

-Become fully aware of your entire mind and body

-Gain knowledge you can use both while practicing and performing!

-Learn all the tools to become a self sufficient singer/performer eventually become self-sufficient.

NOTE: To become a student, you must be serious about performing. If you do not plan on singing professionally as a career, you must at least plan on some form of public performance (talent shows, open mic nights, holidays, weddings, Church, Temple...etc) or at least take lessons seriously and want to be the best singer you can be.

** If you are classically trained (meaning singing with classical singing technique and not style), you can sing anything! **

Music Programs:

-Certified member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS)
- Member of The North American Music Teachers Association (NAMTA)
-Grammy Member
-Member of the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC)
-Member of BMI
-Founder/President of the music publishing company called "Sunshine Face".
-Founder/President of the theatre/production company called "Sunshine Face Productions"

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES: I direct many shows through out the year. If I feel a student is ready, they will be invited to perform in a custom tailored performance to showcase the entire cast’s best talents. Past shows have been performed in NYC and NJ venues.

Cancellation Policy:

POLICIES FOR PRIVATE LESSONS/GROUP PERFORMANCE CLASSES

CANCELLATION: 24 hours = Lesson, 72 hours = Class (or else student will be charged in full unless there is an emergency). If a student is sick, they are to CALL me as early as possible to reschedule their VL or say they can not come to PC. (This may give me time to re-schedule another VL in their time slot or change the class set-up.) Naturally, emergencies are handled on a case-by-case basis. Students MUST make-up lesson on another day the same week or the following week. If they do not, they are still charged the full amount if they don’t give proper notice. For full PC cancelation policies see FULL RULES OF PC below.

LATE: If the student is going to be late to VL/PC, they are to CALL me as soon as possible and please leave a message. (NO TEXTING if going to be late or are canceling!)

"NO SHOW/NO CALL: If the student doesn't show and doesn't call, the student is charged the full amount for my time and preparation I've put aside for their VL/PC. Of course there are a few exceptions but those are emergencies. Payment MUST be made before the next voice lesson begins. Please note that my time is very valuable to my students and these policies are enforced to ensure consistent attendance.

SITTING IN: Parents/Guardians are ONLY permitted to stay for the first lesson and are NOT permitted to sit in for any other lesson/class unless invited. This is to promote good/strong teacher-student relationship quickly and easily. Also, many times students feel more comfortable when their parents/guardians leave.

FULL RULES OF PC: If you miss a class without telling me previously (unless there is an emergency; emergencies are handled by a case-by-case basis), you must pay for the entire class missed, pay $2 into the PC fund, AND makeup the class by scheduling an extra private for the follow week or as close to the missed class as possible. If you are late without being excused, you must pay $1 into the PC fund. If you aren't prepared for class, you have to pay $1 into the PC fund. If you interrupt class by talking to the person next to you, you have to pay 25 Cents. (You get one free-be.) All monies accumulated throughout the year will go to benefit the PC class. ** NO guests are allowed in class or private lessons without prior consent from me. **

REFERRAL BENEFITS: If you refer a student to me and they continue, after their fourth lesson, your next lesson is half price. Every month after (if they stay on), you get $5 (five dollars) of credit that can accumulate throughout the year (to up to $45-$55, depending on your lessons’ length). You can use it all for a free lesson or for partial payment. Half price lesson/credit expires after 12 months. Credit also expires if you stop lessons for any reason and your referral stays on. Half price lesson/Credit is non-transferable and is not redeemable for cash.

PAYMENT: Each student should pay for their VL at the beginning of their VL. Payment can be paid with cash or personal check. Lesson payments can also be pre-paid/in bulk. All PCs must be prepaid at the first lesson of the month. The Client or client’s parents/guardian (if underage) will be responsible to pay any/all additional charges due to bounced checks along with their lesson payment.

Note: If student wishes to leave lessons for any reason, all monies owed must be paid in full at their last lesson or no later than 5 days after their last lesson. If money is not received on time, an extra $10 will be added on to their bill everyday their payment is late.