About
A seasoned performer and educator in the performing arts, with an emphasis on singing, acting, and flute, as well as public speaking and creative writing, my greatest joy is to contribute to another's creative, personal and professional growth. With a BA degree from SFSU in theater Arts /music, throughout my career, I have taught all ages and levels in San Francisco, Seattle, Minnesota, Arizona and throughout Europe. I've also studied privately with several great classical and jazz artist/educators of our time, including Bobby McFerrin, Mark Murphy, Eve Roberts, Broadway's Adrian West, Seattle Opera - Davida Kagan, jazz flautist Paul Horn, Seattle and Minneapolis symphony flautist Adele Zeitlin, and the vocal coach of the Manhattan Transfer/former head of NYC Academy of Performing Arts - Roland Wyatt.
Having performed in and directed many jazz ensembles, musicals, legit theater Productions, independent film and recording projects, I have also taught/coached several professional performers, including my 2 daughters, Daavia van Spronsen and Shena van Spronsen (Mejia), as well as recording artists/writers in the Netherlands such as Marle Thomas and Eric Nijhof. Other than performing, nothing gives me more pleasure than to help others achieve their goals.
With an MS degree in mental health ministry from GCU (2019), I am working toward biblical counseling certification, I love to help my students share their God given talents without imposing my own style or beliefs on them. Currently living in Mesa , Arizona, I am continuing my work here, using my effective eight-part teaching method, developed over many years, includes a variety of enlivening exercises taylored to each individual student's level and ability.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I tell new students that the first " getting acquainted" lesson will either be 1/2 hour longer than the rest, or if preferred, they can answer some background and goal oriented questions by phone before starting. Depending on the age, experience, level, and goals of the student, lessons run from 45 to 90 minutes, with a minimum of once per week. Though professional coaching sessions can also be biweekly, monthly, or when needed to be arranged (TBA), regular weekly lessons are usually needed to experience any tangible progress.
The first 2 to 6 lessons are to explain, demonstrate, and experience the basic techniques and theories needed, varying according to the student's level, goals, and/or abilities to grasp the new or reviewed material. This includes a combination of physical, emotional, and creative/imaginative exercises designed to achieve the particular goal for each lesson. Then lessons could include developing vocal range, tone, power, musicality, stage movement, analyzing a dramatic/comedic song, script, character development, or preparing for an audition. My lessons are tailored to each individual's goals which works best.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
-MS. in Mental Health and Wellness with an emphasis on Christian Ministry from GCU- Grand Canyon University- 12/18/2019.
- B.A. in theater Arts/music from San Francisco State University
- Private study with jazz/classical artists Sidney and Adele Zeitlin (Minneapolis/St. Paul SO flutists),world renowned jazz singer/director St. Paul Symphony Orch. - Bobby McFerrin, jazz vocalist Mark Murphy, and flutist Paul Horn, Broadway and SF/Seattle opera stars- Davida Kagan, David Tigner, NYC Academy of Dramatic Arts voice dept. chairman/coach of Manhattan Transfer- Roland Wyatt, and many more.
For multi-cultural or national students -Bridge TEFL- certified, Harmony Road Toddler music teaching certified, College level Dutch as Second Language - Diploma, Phase I completed (Propodeuse) secondary English Teaching Certificate.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My average price per lesson (1hr.+) is $45 to $50 depending on location, ($40 - 3/4 hr.), for beginning students under 12 ($30 - 1/2 hr.) plus transportation fee if traveling up to 25 miles to students.
How did you get started teaching?
Born into a vaudevillian family, after singing all my life, after playing flute from ages 13 to 17 in the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras/summer camps under Maestro Vilem Sokol, I began teaching flute privately. By then, I had sung chorus and leads in 5 community theater musicals. After UW major, secondary and chorus roles, I earned my Theater Arts BA degree from SFSU, including 3 musicals summer stock at PCPA, ACT, and private vocal study from top artists in San Francisco. I taught popular and jazz voice/flute at Blue Bear School of Music from 1976 to 1981 and joined "The Distractions" hit musical review while continually performing in pop, jazz and classical ensembles independently. Besides teaching and directing performers, since the year 2000, I began giving lessons in English, ESL, math, public speaking, and creative writing, in Seattle, for 15 years in the Netherlands, Minnesota, and now in Arizona.
What types of students have you worked with?
During my long teaching career, I have proudly coached several professional singers, song writers, and young musical theater performers into winning contests and major roles as well as recording their original music. I also enjoy helping people of all ages and levels to gain confidence in other areas of their lives through honing their personal creative expression.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
During 2018-19, in the Minneapolis, Mn. area, I helped 4 students, ages 12-18, with their auditions and/or building confidence in playing leading roles in musical productions of "Chicago", "High School Musical", "The Little Mermaid", "James and the Giant Peach", and "Willie Wonka's Chocolate Factory". It has always been energizing and uplifting to contribute to building confidence which these projects surely gave me ample chance to do.
In the Netherlands, 2 of 4 public speaking students won regional contests.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Make sure that they listen to your goals and needs more than promote their own, have enough teaching and performing experience to contribute substantially to your necessary knowlege and skills, and love to teach at least as much as they love to perform or direct.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Besides long term goals, each student should be clear about their short term challenges such as building vocal strength, acting and character development, audition repertoire, and/or general presentation confidence. If the teacher seems certain of their ability to contribute significantly to all these goals and their communication style clicks with the student, theirs should be a fruitful association.