About
I teach my own vocal technique which has a copyright. I guarantee that you will learn and understand correct vocal technique in 4 lessons or I will give you your money back.
I also give a money back guarantee for piano lessons.
I have many unsolicited testimonials that I can do what I promise.
All of my students have achieved their goals. One student loved to be in dramas but couldn't even sing "Happy Brithday." He played Fagan in Oliver within 6 months.
One student won a vocal scholorship to USC when she was a senior in high school and I was her only voice teacher.
One student had auditioned for honor choir 2 or 3 times and had never been chosen. With 4 lessons she was chosen at the audition for her senior year. One student was chosen to attend Orange High School for the performing arts.
Also one piano student told his mother that he learned more from me in one lesson than he had learned in the six months that he had taken from another teacher.
Teaching voice and piano is my gift to the world, my passion. It is what I was born to do.
I get a thrill when each student grasps a concept and is successful with each assignment.
It is also rewarding when my students achieve their dreams and goals.
Highlights
Specialties
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Student has instrument
Interested musical styles
Reviews
David N.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Of course, I ask them to sing for me. Then we talk about what they want to accomplish. After teaching correct vocal technique on "Silent Night", I pick selections that I feel contain the weakest area in the student's voice and every student that I teach brings one selection of their choice to learn.
The techniques that I teach are sequential. They are the step by step lessons on how to take in a breath, how to set the breath, how to focus the resonnance (this is different than the focus of the pitch, which I also teach), and how to add words.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been a student in the music depts of BYU and CSUF. I have a solid vocal technique and have recently returned to CSULB after a hiatus of 25 years to finish my vocal performance degree. I have given recitals, sang opera and musical theater leads.
I have analyzed my perception of how I do it correctly and have condensed all of my experience into a step by step method.
I believe that unless my student can tell me in his own words how to do it, he doesn't know how to do it. Taking voice lessons for years does not really teach you nor does it qualify a person to teach voice.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My voice lessons are 45 minutes once a week. I charge $40.00 a lesson at my home and there is a trip charge if I come to your house.
I also teach at a facility in Orange, Ca at $45.00 a lesson to cover rental fee.
Piano lessons are $20.00 for a 1/2 hour lesson at my house and $25.00 in Orange to cover rental fee.
Trip charges depend on the mileage, $5.00 is the minimum trip charge.
How did you get started teaching?
I was approached by a mother for her daughter to learn piano.
I started teaching voice lessons as a barter with my friend at church.
That was a long time ago. I have expanded my clientel through the success of my students.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have taught country western singers, band lead vocalists, opera singers, church choir soloists and singers, professional oratorio singers, and musical theater leads both children and adults.
In a Brea High School production of "Damn Yankees", both girls in the final call backs were my students and all but one of the female roles were my students.
Correct vocal technique helps every singer no matter what he/she wants to accomplish. I teach vocalists from every genre, band singers to opera.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Ask them if they can tell you how to take in a breath. Or ask them what they teach a student if he/she raises his/her shoulders when taking in a breath. If they do not say breath in through your mouth and your nose at the same time, they really do not know how to teach you. You will probably sing better, but you will not be taught how to do it, you will just do it correctly when they say you are doing it correctly and they will encourage you to keep singing the same way.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What do you want to accomplish? Is it one song you want to sing at a wedding? Do you want to be accepted into a certain singing group? Do you desire to be prepared to audition for a musical high school or college music dept.?
Correct vocal technique is the same for all vocal performances. Word placement is what makes the change in Opera or Rock.