Voice Teacher, Vocal Coach, & Audition Preparation

WHO AM I?

I am a dedicated, knowledgeable, loving, and understanding person who has accumulated over 20 years of vocal study. I received my BA in musical theatre with a private emphasis in vocal instruction from University of California, Irvine. I have given professional quality private lessons for over 10 years now, and have been the music director and vocal coach for Corona Del Mar High School in Newport Beach, as well as the music director for many shows at UC Irvine. I have also studied as a voice student with: Victoria Clark, Kyle Gonyea, Michael Lavine, Lisa Popeil, Paul Berkolds, Gary Busby, Myrona DeLaney, and Dennis Castellano amongst others.

I specialize in musical theatre style voice, including required skills such as breath control and vocal placement. I'm also available to teach basic opera and pop. I am comfortable teaching all ages, though most of my students are between 15-30.

MY TEACHING PHILOSOPHY:

I believe that everyone is a natural born singer. Throughout history, many cultures have used music and sound to enhance their way of life. Anyone who has the desire to sing can be taught, and as a vocal instructor, I make it my goal to find every student's own voice instead of just forming them into a preconceived mold. Each voice is like a unique diamond; it just has some dirt on it. It is my job to help each student wipe off that dirt to reveal the beautiful gem beneath.

I say I teach people but not "singers," because singing should be an enhanced part of your life, not a separated activity. Every day, because of life, we sing slightly differently according to our mood and personal experiences. It is important to work with these shifts to sound the best we can at any given moment. Some days you'll find one approach will work, while others will require different methods.

I believe in teaching safe and sustainable methods of singing. The voice is the instrument of the human being and it is important to treat it with such respect and safety so it will always be available to you as a lifelong skill. I also teach specific, clear vocal technique based on placement, breath, support, phrasing, and word enunciation, and help each student apply this technique in a performance-based way so that they can utilize it outside of lessons. It is important for each student to understand how all of these points work together so that they have the skills and knowledge to adjust themselves for any auditions, performances, class work, etc. which will always require specific adjustments "on the go."

Finally, singing is a musical form of expression and I believe it can impact a person's life beyond the obvious skill-based applications. I encourage my students to be creative and express themselves through music in a way that enhances their personal relationships with themselves and others. In today's society, much of what we learn is based in logic and structure. My teaching method applies that structure, but also encourages creativity and natural instincts to become the primary focus. I find that this is particularly fulfilling for the creative minded person. And most importantly, I believe that singing should always be fun and fulfilling even while the student is growing and learning.