Rachel Counihan - Voice And Viola Lessons
About
My name is Rachel Counihan, and I have a B.A. in Music with an emphasis in Music Education and Music Performance from California Lutheran University. I have been singing and playing viola/violin for 10 years. I recently began teaching musicianship class with the Los Robles Children's Choir in Thousand Oaks.
I have experience teaching in group and private lesson settings, and experience in teaching beginning-intermediate levels. I can arrange virtual lessons via Skype, Facetime, Zoom, whichever platform students are most comfortable using. If students are comfortable having in-person lessons, I am happy to arrange in-person meetings as well. I am passionate about providing students of all ages the technical foundations needed to be strong and expressive musicians, and believe that all students should have access to music education.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
When working with new viola/violin students, I like to start with scales as a warm-up, and to work on basic technique. I also like to start with etudes from the Suzuki, Kreutzer, and other string pedagogy books to introduce new bowing techniques.
With new voice students, I like to start with vocalises to hear the student's range, and alter the vocalises according to the style of singing the student would like to focus on. I encourage students to bring in songs they have worked on in the past, so I can better understand their voice, and can help in choosing new songs for the student. I like to start beginner voice students with folk songs in English to help establish proper vowel formation and effective breathing technique. For students wanting to sing classical, I also like to start with Italian art songs to reinforce proper vowel formation.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
California Lutheran University: B.A. in Music with an emphasis in Music Education and Music Performance, graduated in May 2020
-completed various vocal pedagogy and music education courses during undergrad
Los Robles Children's Choir: Musicianship Intern 2019-2020
-taught beginner-intermediate musicianship classes focusing on music theory, audiation and sight-singing skills
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My rates are as follows:
$30 - half hour lesson
$60 - one hour lesson