Brian McQueen, Classical Singer, Voice Instructor, Performance Artist

Brian McQueen, Classical Singer, Voice Instructor, Performance Artist

5.0Exceptional(6 reviews)
Offers online services
Offers online services

About

I meet each singer where they are in their vocal development without judgement but rather honor of this space and humility in assessing how I can be of service for whatever goal is desired. Through vocal exercises, complementary repertoire, and detailed explanation, my pedagogy centers around the production of a free, healthy, and sustainable singing. Rooted in the bel canto school of singing, my desire is to help each singer achiever greater facility, vocal alignment, organized vowel spectrum, and evenness through each vocal register.

I enjoy witnessing the confidence my students find along their vocal journey as they discover their true, authentic, and free sound. Learning to relinquish "control" in an effort free up the voice and, ultimately, gain greater control through well produced, free, and healthy singing permeates every fiber of the fabric of their being. What a joy to see how this translates in other areas of their lives! Some begin to walk or dress differently. It's truly magical what this journey of finding voice can do.

I pride myself on my earnest desire to connect with each singer, assessing how each person processes information and finding language for explaining technique that best translates for the individual. Teaching is the best instructor, and I find mutual benefit in lessons with my students. My students make me a better singer. In essence, this is collaborative work. I seek to provide a space for my singers to find safety in discovery and respect in this vulnerable process; freedom to crack and fail in service of progress. Nothing is gained in hiding. Our lessons are a place of transparency. This is a place of rediscovery and returning to ourselves.


Highlights

17 years in business
Serves New York , NY
Offers online services

Payment methods

Cash, Venmo, Apple Pay, Zelle

Social media


Specialties

Musical styles

I can make recommendations, Classical, Jazz, Pop, R&B, Rap, Country, Opera, Musical theater, Gospel

Years experience

Student has no formal training, Student has no formal training; some self-taught experience, 0 – 2 years experience, 2 – 4 years experience, 4+ years of experience

Able to read music

Student can read music, Student cannot read music

Lesson length

30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes

Student's age

5 – 10 years old, 11 – 13 years old, 14 – 18 years old, 19 – 25 years old, 26 – 45 years old, 46 – 65 years old, Over 65 years old

Photos and videos


  • Reviews

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    SA

    Sarah A.

    Brian was an absolute DREAM to work with. They’ve known about my struggles as a vocalist and took into consideration my past, present, AND future when working with me, which is surprisingly hard to find when searching for a voice teacher.
    Brian knew exactly when, where, and how to push me to achieve the most beautiful, pure tone possible. I was making sounds that I was PROUD of and was so excited to continue trying something new during our lessons.
    They made sure I not only was pleased with my sound, but that I was excited about what I was doing. I walked away from our lesson happier and more fulfilled with my vocal progress than I had in a long time, and that is something I simply cannot put a price on.
    Thank you, Brian!
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    August 31, 2021

    MG

    Malik G.

    Brian is so knowledgable and has really helped me understand the apparatus. Brian is so excellent at listening and responding and offering strategies for moving through the complex operation of singing. A great voice teacher!
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    August 29, 2021

    C

    CJ

    Brian was my voice coach when I was in undergrad and he was a graduate student, so when I heard he was giving lessons I jumped at the chance to work with him again! Though Im not planning on using my voice professionally, Brian does not treat my lessons like amateur hour, and continuously challenges me to produce my best sound. He helps me understand the theory and the physicality of singing, and working with him has greatly improved my breath control and overall tone. His lessons are worth every single penny, and Im so grateful that he has me singing like myself again (but better)!
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    June 22, 2021

    AS

    Alexandro S.

    Brians teaching has greatly improved my vocal control, and even pleasure in singing, in a really short time. I appreciate Brians precision and patience, really helping me understand what I am doing with my voice. Brians enlightening approach to technique is both physical and intellectual – Ive never had a better experience in a voice class.
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    April 14, 2021

    S

    Sasha

    Brian is great to work with! Very patient. I’ve been working with him for about a year and have made great vocal improvements!
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    January 11, 2021

    MM

    Mike M.

    Brian is very patient and knowledgeable as an instructor. He clearly enjoys teaching and makes me feel very at ease as a student eager to learn.
    ... Show more
    June 07, 2020

    Frequently asked questions

    My initial lessons with students generally begin with a 20 minute consultation in which I discuss the singer's vocal background & training as well as what they are hoping to accomplish through their lessons. We also work through a series of scales and warm-up exercises. During this time I ask questions to gather a sense of how the singer thinking about they are producing sound. These questions often pertain to their ideas about breath support, direction of sound, and what they might be feeling in their body while singing. Singing is a process requiring intentionality as well as fundamental knowledge of the vocal anatomy. A request to sing the "Happy Birthday" is often more than sufficient to provide a clear assessment of each person's technical strengths as well as an idea of their sound. From here, I am to discover how I believe we might, from this space, find greater facility and freedom in the use of their unique gift. This is a collaborative effort and I am ever learning from my students. I work to provide a space in which each person feels safe to be vulnerable and the freedom to question, discover, and achieve exactly what they desire.

    Brian is an operatic bass and voice instructor residing in New York City. As a recitalist, Brian was Artist in Residence with the Tono International Arts Association, ChaShaMa, Manchester Literary Festival, and Poetry International in London. They recently made their Canadian operatic debut in Ian Cusson’s Of the Sea with Tapestry Opera and have also appeared with On Site Opera, Janiec Opera, Trilogy Opera, Ardea Arts, the Metropolitan Opera Guild, and The New York Opera Festival. In Theatre, Brian has been seen in Xandro Segade’s Future St. at the We’re Watching series (Bard College) and the Tip of Her Tongue series (Broad Museum). They also played the role of Cleopatra in Here, Serpent (Dixon Place, NYC), a trans-gender liminal experimental piece devised by both Brian and performance artist, C. Bain. They will soon perform the lead role in The Swann, a new work by renowned composer/artist Tamar-kali Brown based on the life of William Dorsey Swann, the self-proclaimed “First Drag Queen” with Harlem Stage in May 2024. As an educator, Brian maintains a vibrant private voice studio in NYC in addition to serving on faculty at The Harlem School for the Arts as well as being a Teaching Artist through both Lincoln Center Education and The Bronx Arts Ensemble. Brian currently serves as Senior Ambassador for Hearts of Gold, a charity supporting unhoused mothers and their children to transition into permanent housing in New York City. They also have the privilege of serving as an instructor for Culture For One, an organization transforming the lives of children within the New York City foster care system by providing them access to arts education.
    My standard rate per hour is $110. However, I do provide a sliding scale and often offer 20min consultations gratis.
    I began teaching as a graduate student.
    All students from all ages and levels interested in all genres of music.
    One of Brian's students through Culture for One was recently accepted to Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. Proof that children in the foster care system are not only just as valuable as all children but are also, with the great support, capable of enjoying bright futures and full lives.
    Be courageous! Discovering your voice opens up your life! Simply the journey of vocal discovery is empowering and uplifting, and this inevitably permeates every fiber of your entire life. There is only joy and positivity in this work.

    Services offered

    Singing