Carolyn F.

I have been taking lessons from Gabriel for the last 2 years and have seen huge improvements in my vocal abilities. His use of the Bel Canto method has helped me discover things about my voice that I did not know I was capable of. Gabriel always taylors each lesson to what my voice needs at any given moment and is able to adapt what we are working on based on how my voice is feeling that day or what it is capable of doing at any given moment. Not only have I learned to sing better, but he has taught me how to protect my voice by using proper techniques, breathing techniques and vocalizations.When I hear my voice from when I began lessons and now I can't believe the improvement.

Robert C.

My goal of singing well was a dream that I hadn’t realized. Instead I concentrated on my profession as an engineer. I love singing but had not connected with a teacher who demanded correct singing technique and language skills. Duba was that teacher. She was demanding, literate, and knew European classical music. I really appreciated the demands that she made on my voice tchnique and the classical songs we preformed. Her voice studio allowed me the opportunity to perform with a piano teacher in front of an audience. I really enjoyed those times. I count myself fortunate that I discovered her voice studio and that she accepted me as a student.

Andrew C.

I’ve been taking music lessons with Greg for the past three months, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. He’s incredibly patient, always taking the time to explain concepts in a way that makes sense and never making me feel rushed.

Lydia J.

Patricia is a brilliant Renaissance woman. She is what you get when you mix technical excellence and style with humility, compassion, and a lifelong commitment to the craft. She is simply the best! I feel incredibly lucky to have met Patricia and begun my singing journey with her. I've been a student at Studio Shanks since 2018, when I was fresh out of college and looking for a voice teacher who could earnestly teach me how to sing. At the time, there were flashy online ads for folks that could "make you a superstar" and all of it felt so loud and nothing seemed to fit. At one point Patricia returned my call. Immediately I knew that she was the right teacher for me. It was obvious that she is not just naturally fun and easygoing, but also a true technician when it comes to the craft of singing. It's been a few years since we began working together. I've discovered that singing is something that can be learned at any age. It requires hard work, but it can be done. Luckily, Patricia is entirely dedicated to the growth and success of her students. Knowing this makes it much easier to bring my own effort during and between classes. I am honestly amazed at how, despite having worked with many respected luminaries in the field, Patricia remains humble and always with a sense of humor that puts me at ease. She is everything that comprises a professional artist and educator. What I love most is that she cuts through the noise and focuses on pure foundations. That means that she is able to work with vocalists ranging from the most contemporary pop styles to opera to musical theatre and beyond. All kinds of singing require the same basic knowledge of healthy and safe vocal techniques. At Studio Shanks, everything counts and everything matters. Thank you so much, Patricia!

Ed T.

I could never sing my favorite songs because of the high notes. I had a hard time reaching them. So I searched for singing lessons near Irvine and found Catherine's Music Studio. I used to be so embsarrassed singing in front of people. Catherine helped me develop and drastically increased my vocal range. I had been singing the wrong way all this time! Catherine taught me the proper way to sing a high note. She helped me build confidence and overcome my fear of my singing in front of people. She made me reslize that I could do much more than I thought I could. I am also learning how to play chords on the piano to accompany the songs that I am learning to sing now. Thank you so much, Catherine!