About
Our Teachers
DIRK DONAHUE(owner)
Dirk is a veteran in the world of a cappella and choral singing. He has performed, vocal coached, and directed his way through this lengthy career. He enjoyed 23 years of singing and directing in the world-renowned group “Voices of Liberty” at Disney’s EPCOT. For the past 10 years, you can find him leading the Dapper Dans of Main Street USA at the most magical place on earth. Besides performing, Dirk enjoys bringing others into the world of singing through education and community choirs. He has been a teaching artist for Disney Sings Workshops, as well as director of mass choirs such as the Candlelight Processional Cast Choir seasonally at EPCOT. He has been an associate adjunct professor at Johnson University Florida for over a decade as private voice instructor, co-director of New Creation touring choir, and director of Campus Choir and Choral Society.
Laurie Brooks
Laurie Brooks M. M. Ed. graduated with a degree in Musical Arts from Johnson University.
She completed her Master’s in Music Education from Liberty University and is currently completing her Ph.D. in Music and Worship Studies. She is certified through the Northwest Institute of Voice.
She has previously taught voice and piano in her own studio and at The First Academy in Orlando. Currently, she teaches Music Appreciation for Liberty University Online. She also teaches Vocal Pedagogy and Private Voice for Johnson University Florida.
LAURAN BROOKS
Lauran Brooks is a senior at Liberty University, graduating in May 2021. She has majored in Fine Arts and Music.
Lauran plays the guitar, the bass, the mandolin, ukulele, and the drums.
Lauran has taught these instruments for the past four years.
She and her sister are signed with“Little Bird Big Sound Recording Studio.” Their music can be found on iTunes and all music platforms.
Details
Musical styles
Guitar style
Has instrument
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Photos and videos
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
With a new student, We like to find out the goals of the student, what they want to accomplish, what they've done in the past, and the type of music they want to perform. We also will work with a new student to test their vocal range, for singers, or ability on the instrument of choice.
We structure the lessons around warm ups and excercises that work very well to shape musical abiltiy and get a student to understand their voice and or instrument.
We proceed through a series of lessons and will continue with those excersises. Then we will add actual songs to put in practice what we have learned through working together.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have degrees and experience from the following:
Music Degree AA from Seminole State College
Radio and TV Degree BA from The University of Central Florida
25 years of performing with the Voices of Liberty at EPCOT and The Dapper Dans Babershop Quartet at the Magic Kingdom
Choral Director for 30 years with experience at the middle school level as well as teaching the Candlelight Processional Cast Choir at EPCOT.
I've been teaching Voice and Choir at Johnson University Florida for over 12 years and am the Creative Arts Director for the Florida Campus in Kissimmee.
My instructors are well seasoned teachers with a passion for working with students and families while striving to emphasize the fun of making great music.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I charge $35 per one half hour a week.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with vocal students at every level from very experienced to very little experience. I also work with all age groups and currently have singers as young as 14 and as old as 70 singing with me.
My piano, voice, and guitar teachers will also work with younger students at any level of performance ability.