About
Whether you're 15 or 75, I'm here for you. My teaching encompasses everything I've learned and experienced over the past 30 years. I teach holistically and treat each student uniquely and I have an excellent track record. I have a performance mic and Bose PA System in my home where I teach AND a recording studio with a recording mic. For my songwriting students, I produce and can introduce them to platforms like Logic. I've performed original songs at iconic clubs like The Bitter End & Birdland. I recently sang at The Sugar Bar and The Shrine. I won first prize at an International Music Festival prior to Covid and two of my songs were selected for the Women with Substance, Music With A Conscience radio/podcast series. I've been nominated twice for an Amercian Society of Composers, Authors & Publisher's award, once for an IMA and had a #11 hit EDM song. I know what it's like to have stage fright, I know what it's like to be told I'm not good enough, I know what it's like to be stuck creatively and I know what it's like to have great teachers and awful teachers because I've had both! I've been trained by a man who trained Opera singers, I've been trained by the man who trained Alicea Keys, Katy Perry, HER et al. Over the past several years I found out that one of my greatest passions is giving singing and songwriting lessons. I love helping people find their voice, their style, their talent. I helped a woman who has multiple sclerosis strengthen her voice and sing an important solo performance in Temple . I helped a fireman who was a "star" in a Gospel choir 15 years ago find and regain his voice after going through a traumatic experience. I helped a young woman prepare for and slay her audition. I helped a physical fitness trainer who almost lost her voice, could not sing in pitch, not only strengthen her voice but has now become an amazing singer. I help budding songwriters tweek their lyrics, find different and creative ways to express themselves, add nuances, bridges, and melodies that they might not have thought of. My singing lessons encompass breathing exercises, de-stressercises, warming up the vocal cords in a fun, unusual way and working on songs and performance. My songwriting lessons encompass learning how to paint the canvass with your words, the tone, the structure, and the music. I will give you tools you never thought of to take your singing and/or songwriting to the next level.
I absolutely love helping people find their voice, improve their singing, expand their range, develop their style. Find new ways to express themselves whether it be vocally or lyrically and musically. And it's so much fun! My students consistently improve and they always walk out with smiles on their faces, unless we're working on something sad :). I am passionate about every aspect of music that I am involved with. Giving singing and songwriting lessons is so gratifying!
Feel free to check out my YouTube channell under Gayle Sommers and my instagram under GutsyGirl9...
Specialties
Musical styles
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Photos and videos
Reviews
Stafford D.
KARISSA D.
Laura D.
Shenisha M.
Haley T.
Jordan C.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Being a singing teacher/vocal coach and songwriting teacher is almost like being a doctor. I always like to know why the person wants to take lessons, what kind of experiences they've had singing/songwriting and/or taking lessons. What artists they like. What styles they like and what songs they want to sing or kinds of songs they want to write. Each person is different and must be treated as unique individuals. After getting this information, for singers I do breathing and vocal excercises with the student and can, almost, instantly, see where they excel and where they need improvement. For songwriters, there's a different process. Examining their lyrics to see if they are communicating what it is they want to communicate in an approachable, interesting and relatable way. Understanding song structure, the hook, verse, chorus, pre chorus and bridge. Thinking about harmony and changing keys. I listen, I observe and I teach. To me, listening and observing is key to being a good, let alone, great teacher.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am under the tutledge of Craig Derry who trained Alicea Keys, Katy Perry and HER and also worked with Michael Jackson, Etta James, James Brown et. al.so I have combined his techniques with mine. It is always important to move forward and be the best you can be so for him to take me to the next level I can take my students to the next level.
Recently, I performed my songs at the iconic Birdland to rave reviews and standing ovations and at The Bitter End to rave reviews as well. So I know what it takes to be a great performer, singer and songwriter.
My songs have been featured in the WOS (Women of Substance) Music With A Conscience podcast/radio series and have been nominated for several awards.
I have taken lessons with some of the best teachers in Opera and other genres ie. Jim Carson who worked with Opera singers and Sting among many other great artists and Richard Fredericks, who was an outstanding Opera singer himself.
I took songwriting/arranging lessons with Carl Thompson known for his custom Carl Thompson guitars and am a writer and publisher member of ASCAP and part of the New York Songwriter's Collective.
There's more but this is what comes to mind :)