About
I will teach you how to sing, match pitch, project, use dynamics and range. I will teach you music theory so you understand how to sing, or even compose music if interested, and how to self accompany with piano.
I enjoy sharing the gift of music with people, because it is a skill that will last a lifetime. We never stop becoming better musicians. We can always improve, but even with a basic level of music skills, we can make a difference in the world by sharing music.
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Shana R.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
First I will find out what you or the client already knows. Then we will review them together. From there I can pick up with what is next in technique, theory, practice, and application.
In late 2019 I was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos syndrome, which explained a lot of my weird health issues. It's not contagious but it does make me more prone to severe illness when I get sick, such as immune system overreaction, and chronic pain, so unfortunately due to COVID-19 I am no longer teaching in person lessons. I do offer lessons via Zoom so please feel free to reach out if you think learning remotely is right for you.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a Musical Theater degree from Florida School of the Arts. I have been trained classically for voice. I can play piano and guitar up to the pre-advanced levels. I am a registered performer/composer/publisher with ASCAP, and have my own publishing entity. I have taken classes in vocal recording techniques, as well as music production from Berklee college through Coursera as well.
I use these to get clients ready to perform! It's more than just learning notes and words. I focus on stage readiness as well as publishing if requested. *Publishing and recording services are a separate service with separate costs than lessons.*
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I am only charging $25/lesson lasting 30 minutes. Or just a flat $100 for the month.
If you would like "combo" lessons meaning voice and piano then we will do a minimum 45 minute lesson each week and the rate goes up to $150/month. This is a good deal for when you are preparing to sing and play at the same time.
Younger students are encouraged to be at least 6 years old with 45 minute combo lessons, and preferably be through level 1 and 2 piano curriculum.
Older students that are above 10 years, are encouraged to get the full hour long lesson for the combo, and preferably be through level 1 and 2 piano curriculum.
In either case beginners are welcome to do combo lessons, but are not guaranteed a live performance in any recital or streaming event, for at least 9 months. Only rare cases will be considered to perform in a recital before that.
How did you get started teaching?
I started teaching as an assistant to my drama teacher in high school. Then I assisted in the office in college and learned administrative tasks. Later I taught my own children home school. I produced, wrote, and directed a musical for my home school group in Texas, in which we sang, danced, and acted onstage in a semester long class project. They rehearsed for four months and performed in front of a public audience.
Then I began my public school teaching certification in Texas, and taught at a middle school there as a permanent floating substitute. I got the hang of public teaching, but I decided that one on one teaching is my favorite, and began working at a local school of music here in Jacksonville. I taught there for a year, and helped dozens of students sing and play piano. I helped them get ready for 2 different recitals, and had huge success.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with students as young as 4 and as old as 60. I have taught beginner piano, beginning readers, those who learn more by ear, or those who prefer sheet music. I have taught those who love to sing along, and we can go over lead sheets. I have taught those who want to perform live, and those who want to record. I have taught those who simply want to improve their music skills so that they can have a better mathematical or business mind in the future. I have taught those who want to be serious musicians and learn the ins and outs of music theory.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I love the idea of musicals and variety shows. These are the types of shows I learned my art from. Musicals represent the love of theater, writing, directing, teamwork, music, set design, and a goal of entertaining others. Variety shows are just as much fun, with quick moving song and dance numbers, and synchronized singing and dancing.
If I get enough talented students I would love to put on another show one day here in Jacksonville, that includes singing, acting, dancing, and musical compositions.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
What is important is finding a teacher that has similar experience to your goals.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Be honest with yourself about what you really want. If you want to sing and act, but not play piano, be honest about that. You can still take a music theory class without the piano and get the most out of your lessons.
Maybe you want to perform live, but hate recording. Maybe you want to record but hate performing live. Maybe you want to focus on live streaming remotely. All of these have different skills associated with them, that you can choose to focus on with your teacher. (I like all of those things btw, but tend to prefer playing remotely, or live streaming due to the current climate).