About
Teaching singing is an important part of my life. I derive great satisfaction knowing that the style I teach - traditional classical (Bel Canto) - gives my students a healthy, fluid, and flexible use of their voice. And as they discover and learn more about what the human voice is truly capable of doing, they become more enabled to sing in a variety of styles, whether classical, pop, or jazz. Although I am now retired from directing children and adult choirs, I continue with my first love: personal singing and individual one-on-one instruction in ear training and musicianship, vocal technique, performance, and interpretation for girls and boys, women and men, aged 13 and up.
More than anything else, participating in a student's joy at discovering their potential through the techniques I teach makes my work truly enjoyable.
I started out playing the trumpet and then French Horn. In college I started singing and conducting. I graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a Bachelors in vocal performance and music theory, and with a Masters degree in conducting. I sang with the Robert Shaw Atlanta Symphony Chorus, and performed several opera roles with the Atlanta Symphony as well as appeared in solo performances in the Atlanta Symphony's Summer Concerts series.
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Dominique F.
Elizabeth C.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
The first lesson is free.
An evaluation is performed of a vocal student's current level of ability, experience and understanding. A personalized progress plan is determined for each individual student, and then off we go into a journey of the joy of music, singing, learning and performance!
For music theory, composition, or arranging, students should have something ready for me to listen to - a personal performance for me of something they have composed or arranged, or in an audio format and/or in print that they working on, or have written or arranged to present for evaluation. Or even just a few questions about music theory you'd like to learn about. This could be a simple song or solo instrumental piece, or music written for an ensemble for a few singers or instrumentalists, or even for a large ensemble. Let me know your goals in music theory or arranging.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Undergraduate degree: Azusa Pacific University, Magna cum Laude in Music Theory and Vocal Performance
Masters degree, APU: Conducting
Experience: Baritone soloist with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; Member of Robert Shaw's Atlanta Sympony Chorus; Various recital, concert, and staged performances.
Instructor: Vocal studies, beginning piano, composition and arranging.
Choir director: Both children's and adult choirs.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$25 per 30 minute lesson, $37.50 per 45 minute lesson, $50 per hour lesson. Plus $5 if I travel to a student's location. The longer the lesson, the more rapid progress. About half the lesson is spent on vocal techniques and exercises, which help to develop confidence and beautiful singing.
Out of concern for COVID-19, some of my students take lessons with me using the Zoom platform. This has worked out satisfactorily, although in person is preferred. We can discuss.
How did you get started teaching?
Through the Azusa Conservatory of Music at APU for elementary and junior high students. I launched the Vocal Performance Program there in 2008. I have been teaching young and adult voice students for the past 10 years.
www.azusaconservatory.org
What types of students have you worked with?
I've been teaching male and female singers of all ages beginning at at age 13. I teach beginning piano for children and adults.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
The Spring Concert, 2019, of the Los Angeles Children's Chorus where I teach musicianship classes.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
For voice students, know what style of music you are most interested in, such as say, folk or classical or rock. Then be willing to learn about other styles you hadn't thought about before. There is much to be gained by learning to sing in a style with which you are not familiar, which can then be applied to other styles of singing. Ask the teachers which styles they teach.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Why do I want to take singing lessons? Personal pleasure? Improve vocal skills? Prepare for performance? What do I want to gain from this? What goals do I want to reach for in my singing?
As a singer, will I need to learn how to read music?
What role do my upper and lower registers play in improving my singing? If I'm accustomed to singing only with my lower register, am I willing to explore using the upper register? This goes for both male and female singers.
Be sure the teachers can respond to questions like these in ways that give you confidence that they can teach you what you want to learn.