About
Singing is such an essential and natural part of life-- everyone sings, everyone CAN sing and anyone can learn to sing well which is tremendously satisfying whether you're a professional or someone who just enjoys singing for their own pleasure and benefit. It's tremendously satisfying to me when a student makes a new sound that they either thought they couldn't make or discover a quality of sound they didn't know they possessed. I love teaching people to connect with their whole body (the body is the full instrument) and experience the full power of their voice whether they are pop, rock, gospel, jazz, Broadway or opera singers.
As a professional opera singer with more than 40 years of career (including major roles at major opera houses around the world- Metropolitan Opera, Rome Opera, Covent Garden, Chicago Lyric Opera, San Francisco Opera), I know what good singing is. I have shared the stage with Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Renee Fleming, Joan Sutherland to name but a few. Having learned from the best, it's both fun and gratifying to lead students into deep discovery of their talent and abilities. Helping a student master a difficult phrase, expand their range, deepen their tone and increase their volume through proper breathing and use of the breath, proper support and freedom of expression. It's just fun to connect people with their true voice and watch them take off!!!
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Erik H.
Matthew G.
Rebecca
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
When I first work with a new student, not matter what their level or experience, I always start with their understanding of what singing actually is and what it isn't. Even experienced singers can have odd or false ideas about what singing is and isn't. The next step is to understand the students goals and adapt technical steps to achieve those goals. I teach the same basic steps no matter the genre or style of singing the student wishes to master- and the student will come away with a full grasp of all parts of the vocal mechanisms- proper breathing, proper support, position of the larynx, connection to chest (speaking) voice and the proper use of chest, head and facial resonance.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Besides making a living as a successful, international opera singer for over 40 years, I have been teaching for nearly 15 years. Though I have a bachelors degree in music and studied music theory, vocall pedagogy, etc., the best instructors have been the great singers with whom I've been privileged to share the stage and listen to on a daily basis. Watching and listening to fine singers of every vocal range (sopranos, mezzos, tenors, baritones and basses) has helped me understand the right way to sing as well as the particular nuances and particulars of each voice type.