Ur Voice, Urself

FOR VOICE

Each student is different, but generally speaking, we sit down and talk about what the student's goals are.  Then we talk about what singers the student gravitates towards, because that tells me a lot about what their voice will probaby want to do.  Then we do some exercises, and this is where it becomes very subjective.  I am a vocal technician, so whatever I hear will determine what we do next.  Over the course of about three to four weeks, we'll work together to find what you want to sing and what fits your voice the best, and then we'll choose songs to sing!  I like to do a 70-15-15 ratio in which we focus 70% of the time on your preferred genre, and then we work 15% of the time on another genre of your choice and 15% on classical music (which will help to build your voice even more!).

FOR PIANO

I have a variety of different methods for learning piano- it depends on what you want to learn. Generally speaking, I use the graded Keith Snell books and add exercises and concepts according to what genre of music you want to learn.   

VOICE

I was a classical voice major in college, but had to change majors because my teachers didn't know how to train a coloratura contralto.  This sent me on an eight to ten year quest to find the right voice teacher.  I finally found a few really great teachers!  I studied with the bass Jared Schwartz in Dallas, and I currently study with his teacher David Jones and David's associate Janet Steele.  

I also attend David's teacher training sessions in New York once a year, in which I learn how to teach singers of all voice types!

PIANO

I have played piano for over 25 years.  I studied piano in college, and my most recent teachers include Doug Johnson (Jazz and Classical) in Boston, and Robbie Ellis and Stephanie McCullough (various genres, ear training) in Chicago.

I completed the music director training program at Second City, and I also trained as a music director at ImprovBoston

I play and teach all genres of music!  :-)

My rate is 100/hr, although sliding scale is available.  

REALLY RANDOMLY!  I NEVER thought I would become a teacher.

I was working a data entry job, of all things, and I got laid off and I met my former writing partner who told me I should teach!  I thought that was a ridiculous idea, but I tried it anyway, and I fell in love with teaching.  I started out working for Magic Music in Dallas, then I got a teaching position at Parish Episcopal School.  When I moved to Boston, I started my own studio, which I have transferred to Chicago!

ALL TYPES!

I love working with students who have been told they can't sing (because everyone can), students who are professionals or semi-professional, and students who simply want to better their voices.  I also LOVE working w neurodivergent n trans folx!

I love finding creative ways to help students overcome the stress and anxiety of singing.  During a recent lesson, I had a student write one page about something she was scared of (I made it very clear she didn't have to share it with me, and she didn't), and it led to a major breakthrough in her voice.  :-D

1. What are your goals?

2.  What has been your experience with past teachers?  What did you like?  What did you dislike?

3.  Make sure to find a teacher that is kind and respectful.

4.  For semi and full professionals:  make sure to find a teacher you admire and whose artistry you want to emulate.

Learning to play music (learning any art form, really) is a process of learning to unearth the true self.  Go into your lessons with every question you've ever had about music, because you already know the questions you want to ask. Don't be afraid to ask them.  If a teacher is mean or condescending or distant, then they're not the right teacher for you.