Sing It Forward

Sing It Forward

5.0Exceptional(8 reviews)
Offers online services
Offers online services

About

My motto is "Professional, Practical, and Personal". I teach students of all ages, interests, sexes, and abilities; I also have a Masters Degree in Special Education, so I love to work with Special Needs students, as well. No two lessons are alike in content but EVERY lesson is customized to the specific needs of the individual student or students. I have Professional-level students, students who are just beginning to learn to sing or play, and many in between. I teach every aspect of singing, music theory, and beginning to intermediate piano playing. Because each individual is different and has distinct needs and desires, we will work together to create a plan start you down the best possible road to success. There are foundational principles for singing and playing that EVERYONE should know, but we may approach those techniques from several different perspectives to maximize results. I teach FOR my students; I never expect MY needs or goals to supercede theirs, though I will steadfastly work to provide students with the healthiest and strongest possible and positive techniques, habits, activities, and a measurable result. Please check out my website at www.SingitForward.net and my Blog Postings at http://cathyriso.blogspot.com/

Music truly is a UNIVERSAL "Language"; it speaks to EVERYONE! I LOVE helping students discover their gifts, their passions, and their dreams. I thrive on building my students up so they can then mentor others after them. There is no greater joy for me than watching a student who came in shy and withdrawn, grow before my eyes and ears into a confident performer, able, not only, to sing and/or play well, but also equipped well to communicate and succeed in their future endeavors. I LOVE what I do but more than that, I LOVE SHARING with others what I do!


Highlights

Hired 10 times
1 employee
35 years in business
Serves Santa Clarita , CA
Offers online services

Payment methods

Cash, Check, Venmo, Paypal, Zelle

Details

Musical styles

I can make recommendations, Classical, Jazz, Pop, R&B, Rap, Country, Opera, Musical theater, Gospel

Years experience

Student has no formal training, Student has no formal training; some self-taught experience, 0 – 2 years experience, 2 – 4 years experience, 4+ years of experience

Able to read music

Student can read music, Student cannot read music

Lesson length

45 minutes, 60 minutes

Student's age

Under 5 years old, 5 – 10 years old, 11 – 13 years old, 14 – 18 years old, 19 – 25 years old, 26 – 45 years old, 46 – 65 years old, Over 65 years old

Reviews

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DF

david F.

she knows my needs and works with me very well
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July 09, 2023

SG

Steve G.

Cathy is a pleasure to work with. I came to Cathy with no singing experience. She always takes the time to answer my questions and to develop a lesson plan specific to my needs. During my time with her she has helped me to expand my vocal range and boost my confidence to perform in public. She even provided me with some CDs with vocal exercises and warmups. I’d definitely recommend Cathy!
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August 22, 2021
Hired on Lessons

RW

Ronson W.

Cathy Riso is first of an incredible person and pleasant to learn from. She has the experience to pin point personal characteristics of your voice and is able hone in on what adjustments need to be made for any level of singer.
Ronson Webster
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August 12, 2019
Hired on Lessons

C

Cristin

My daughter has been a vocal student of Cathys for three years, and in that time, her singing and performing techniques have improved dramatically. Cathy truly works one-on-one with each student and tailors every lesson to their needs at that time. Whether we are prepping for an audition, working on show material, or just singing for fun, my daughter gets valuable advice and attention at each visit. We are so pleased with her progress, but more importantly, we always feel that she is in good hands with Cathy, who truly loves, supports and encourages each and every one of her students.
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August 08, 2017

LM

Lucy M.

I am a 26 year-old female with very little experience with performing. I go to Cathy for voice lessons--and have for about a year now--and I referred a friend of mine to her for introductory piano lessons a while back as well, and we both adore her!
She carefully analyzes the basic abilities you have as a performer over the first few weeks you work with her, and then makes customized vocal exercise CDs for you to work with. She pinpoints your weaknesses and works tirelessly to transform them into strengths, while further perfecting your natural strengths. Over the year Ive been going to her approximately once a week, shes managed to extend my range from just over one octave to just over two octaves.
I honestly cannot sing her praises enough, and I am extremely quick to recommend her to anyone who might even think theyre interested!!!
Cathy is THE BEST!!!
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August 08, 2017

LR

Linda R.

Cathy was highly instrumental in preparing me vocally for my new CD. She helped me get back my three octave range and work through the difficult musical segments so vocally I would shine. I most assuredly recommend this lady!
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August 07, 2017

Frequently asked questions

Each student is different, so I use the first lesson to gather as much information about the student, musically, and goal-wise as possible. For Voice Students, I provide readable resources on Breathing Techniques for Intermediate or Advanced students, and for Beginning Students, I teach the student 1 - 3 NEW Breathing Exercises to do for "Homework" between lessons. These are described and enumerated on a "Notes and Homework" form I provide. I also take an "Initial" Vocal Range, note weaknesses and strengths, as well as goals from and for the student. As we talk and sing, I ask questions to "Tweak" my information, and to determine better the best sstrategy to pursue for future lessons. Throughout the time, students and/or parents are encouraged to ask questions or text, email, or call me later with questions. Students who ask questions will tend to advance more quickly, and NO question or comment is considered "dumb".

For Piano Students, PRIOR to the first lesson, I will attempt to ascertain through communications the BEST Piano Book for the student or parents to purchase. I also recommend Music Flash Cards, and depending upon the student's level of previous knowledge, I may also suggest "Keyboard Note Stickers" to make learning the note names easier. At the first lesson, we talk about and practice Hand Strengthening Exercises and Playing Poster; we talk about the Layout of a Piano Keyboard and the Musical Alphabet; and we discuss how and when to practice to maximize learning potential. I give each student a folder to hold Theory Worsheets, Music Games, Sheet Music not contained with their Piano Book; and any other resources I think will be helpful. Students will also choose a "Popular" song they like and want to learn, such as a Disney song, a song by a pop star they enjoy, or a simpler Classical song. I find that a student tends to practice more if they are working on a song they really want to play.

For DETAILED Education background, Training, and my Experience singing and playing piano, please check out my Resume on my Website at www.SingitForward.net

Generally speaking, I have a Minor in Music from Georgia State University, and a Masters in Special Education with emphasis on Early Childhood Education, as well. My experience, however, is quite broad and lengthy. I appeared on Broadway in the Musical "Annie" as Grace Farrell; toured the world with Julio Iglesias, Placido Domingo, and Charles Aznavour. I've recorded MANY different album projects, sung on films such as "Mulan" and "Jungle to Jungle", and I've taught Piano and Singing for many, many years as well.

I DO have standard pricing BUT I have so many different types of lessons, it's really impossible to say that a lesson is --- this much money. For detailed pricing and lesson length and type, please send me your email address, and I will gladly send you my New Student Email, which includes pretty much every question you might have about HOW I teach, WHAT I teach, HOW LONG, HOW OFTEN, and WHAT EACH LESSON COSTS. My email address is [email protected].

I started teaching "coaching" fellow performers, especially those who primarily danced but needed to sing in certain songs or productions numbers. Many thought they COULDN'T sing at all before they began studying but were soon surprised to hear that with a small time investment and a little, consistent practice, they had a new, powerful tool for their resume.

The youngest students I've ever taught were 3 and 4. These were Piano students but often, I would incorporate songs they could also sing into their curriculum, as this gave the more incentive to listen and practice.

This summer, one of my students made it all the way to the FINALS on "The Voice Teens" in The Philippines. He was very nervous and intimidated to begin with, so that his voice shook, and he would "crack" on top notes. However, with practice and some concentrated work on building and establishing his Self Confidence, he became VERY successful. I was a VERY proud teacher!

Interview SEVERAL teachers, if at all possible. Try to find a person with, not only, great qualifications, but whose personality messes well with yours. I think I am a pretty likeable person but not everybody agrees. Personality is not AS important for a Piano teacher, I don't think but, at least, be certain that the teacher's Methodology is what you are most comfortable with. I am an encourager; I always LOOK FOR qualities to support and applaud. Some people may not WANT a teach like this because they may feel they need someone who is more of a disciplinarian. For teaching Voice, I feel singing is such a personal skill, tied very specifically to the student's emotions and self-image, it is PENULTILATE to find a teacher you can TRUST. You need to be comfortable making mistakes in front of your teacher, as you LEARN from your mistakes; you need to trust the teacher's TECHNIQUE and KNOWLEDGE; and you need to be able to BE HONEST, LAUGH, and maybe even CRY with your teacher. Therefore, I really recommend interviewing several until you find one that "Fits" your needs, your personality, and your goals.

They should consider HOW SERIOUS they are about wanting to learn. Are they WILLING to PRACTICE CONSISTENTLY? What are their "Personal" Music GOALS? How comfortable are they TALKING WITH ANOTHER PERSON ABOUT WHAT THEY WANT, WHAT THEY DREAM OF? Are there PRIORITIES each student should be aware of when learning their particular lesson subject? For example, if a student is a Cheer Leader, I feel it is almost like shooting yourself in the foot to want to be a singer, too. Unless you can learn to ALWAYS "Scream" CORRECTLY, you will do damage to your Vocal Mechanism when you scream, making it impossible to learn to sing CORRECTLY. It would also be important for you to ask a prospective teacher about THEIR priorities regarding the subject. What do THEY feel are the most important things to DO in order to sing or play well, AND what do they feel should be AVOIDED in order to sing or play well. As far as I'm concerned, NO question or comment is STUPID! EVERY TIME YOU ASK A QUESTION, YOU LEARN SOMETHING, SO ASK AS MANY AS YOU CAN THINK OF!!!!


Services offered

Synthesizer