About
Voice Lessons include: Classical technique (open throat, support, proper breathing, voice placement, Bel Canto technique), Broadway, Opera, and Standard repertoire,
For pop technique I can also provide "Speech Level Singing (SLS)", a revolutionary vocal training technique that maximizes your vocal abilities in any style of singing, created by Hollywood vocal coach Seth Riggs.
I like to combine the techniques that I have developed through the years. Seems to be the best way to help singers develop their chest voice (belt) and even out the registers (passing the bridges smoothly).
Piano Lessons include: Basic training for beginners with easy and pleasant repertoire, reading development through a gradual process. I like to teach beginners by position instead of teaching all the notes at once. This makes it smooth to develop muscle memory and it is much easier to absorb. I have a series of books of very pleasant music that are built by positions and have a duet part for the teacher. It sounds really good!
I also teach the chords as soon as possible and make the students recognize them in their songs. It really helps the kids that have a hard time reading and also help memorize the music.
As soon as the students are comfortable reading the first & second positions, I like to introduce finger technique with several exercises. Fingers have to remain curved when playing the keys and independent from each other. The wrist has to remain flexible. More advanced students will learn scales, arpeggio, and theory. Beginner and advanced students are welcome.
I am very careful of not letting the students read finger numbers instead of the notes and I don’t write the name/letter of the note instead of developing the real reading of space/line on the staff. This might seem like a good solution to help the process but students don’t really read the music. They might be able to play the song but they won’t be able to read the next one!
Piano lessons are taught on a grand piano.
I hold a Master's Degree from the University of Montreal and have 40 years of teaching experience.
Specialties
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Student has instrument
Interested musical styles
Photos and videos
Reviews
Chris K.
Karli C.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
For piano lessons, I have to see if I have to start from scratch or figure out where they are in their knowledge.
For voice lessons, I have to hear the student first to see what technic and exercise would be the best choice to start with.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
As a pianist, Solange holds a D.E.C. and Laureate Degrees from Montreal’s Vincent-d’Indy Music School.
A graduate with Bachelor and Masters’ degrees in Vocal Performance from the University of Montreal and a former apprentice with Lyric Opera Center for American Artists (Chicago), Miss Sior has performed with many organizations in the Midwest and in Canada. She is a former winner of the Canadian Music Competition and winner of the National Bel Canto Competition, as well as finalist of The Metropolitan Opera National Council.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
A starting package of 4 lessons for the price of 2 is available for new students. Lessons are set at $24 (half hour lesson)
How did you get started teaching?
I started teaching piano when I was 16 years old. I have always been a free-lance musician.
What types of students have you worked with?
I work with all type of students from beginners to young professionals. The majority of my voice students participate in the school musicals. After only a year or two of training they end up getting all the lead parts!
Some students are great achievers! Several of them have won competitions including the annual Granquist Music Competition held in Geneva, the Kane County Talent Show, the IAAF talent competition, and Elgin Opera Vocal Competition. They have been cast as lead singers with Children’s Theatre of Elgin, Fox Valley Rep, Christian Theater of Elgin and of Crystal Lake, Cirque du Soleil, Goodman Theater, Chamber Opera Theater and Elgin Opera.
Students pursuing college educations in opera or musical theater have received $30,000 - $45,000 in scholarships due to the quality of their training.