About
I've been a NYC-based singer/pianist/actor since 2008, and I've taught hundreds of students both privately and in classrooms over the past decade. Because of the variety of hats I wear, I can tailor my lessons to meet your goals, whether it is to become a concert pianist, Broadway star, or living room diva (or divo!). My lessons are fun, high-energy, and you're guaranteed to have a great time!
When I'm not teaching, I enjoy performing (especially if I get to travel). I toured the world with the Broadway show Avenue Q, and I've been in dozens of musicals, plays, and Shakespeare productions all over the U.S., Japan, and even in Russia.
I have an MFA in Acting from Harvard University, a Certificate of Vocal Pedagogy from the Boston Conservatory at Berkelee's Professional Workshop, and BAs in Music (piano performance) and Dramatic Art from the University of California, Davis.
www.LauraYumiSnell.com
I LOVE to teach! I've had many wonderful teachers in my life who have shaped me into who I am today, and I believe that it's my duty and privilege to pass along that knowledge to the next generation of artists. I will provide tools for you to build a strong foundation of technique so that you can freely express your creativity.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
First, I'll get to know you a bit better by asking you a few questions about your previous experience, future goals, and any other fun facts you'd like to share. From that information, I'll develop a lesson plan for the day (or month or semester) to help you achieve your goals.
We always begin with a warm-up to get connected to the body and for me to get to know your instrument and range better. For pianists, you can expect to do finger exercises, scales, arppeggios, and chord progression/theory work. For singers and actors, you can expect to do a lot of breathing exercises and vocalising in fun and interesting ways.
After the warm-ups, we will check in with any pieces you've been working on previously, and we will explore new repertoire that will be both fun and challenging to guide you to the next level.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have an MFA in Acting from Harvard University and a Certificate of Vocal Pedagogy from the Boston Conservatory at Berkeless's Professional Workshop. I also earned my BAs in Music (piano performance) and Dramatic Arts from the Univeristy of California, Davis.
I LOVE to teach, and I have over ten years of experience teaching privately, at theatre companies, and in classrooms in New York, and I've trained hundreds of students to become accomplished pianists, singers, and actors (and sometimes all three!).
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
For weekly piano or voice lessons, I charge monthly, and the tuition depends on the number of weeks/lessons in that month.
$110 / 60-min
$85 / 45-min
$60 / 30-min
For one-time vocal coaching, my rates are
$120 / 60 min
$95 / 45 min
$65 / 30 min
How did you get started teaching?
I started teaching when I was in college, at which point I was music directing a bunch of shows. I was asked to teach the cast how to sing each song and how to do it with healthy technique. I really enjoyed it (and it turns out I was pretty great at it), and from the first show came other shows, and eventually the cast members would ask me for individual voice, piano, and acting lessons. Over a decade and hundreds of students later, I'm still enjoying doing this every day!
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with students of all ages and all levels. My youngest was 4, and she loved to sing and play at the same time. I've taught adult singers and pianists who could play and sing very sophisticated materials. Most of my singing students are adults who are actively performing in and auditioning for musicals on and off Broadway, in tours, and in regional or international productions.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I think it's very important to find a good fit when it comes to teachers, and you should take your time and never settle! I recommend doing trial lessons with various teachers, and your instinct will tell you whether you're with the right teacher or not.
A student-teacher relationship is a very special bond, since you're sharing a vulnerable side of you as you stumble and crack your way into learning a new piece or technique. Performing can be scary! A good teacher will be there to provide the tools and support you need to be the best artist that you can be.
These relationships can last for many decades, so I would recommend finding a teacher who you know you can trust and enjoy working with for a very long time.