CB Vocal Studio

Each student is different, so while I inherently avoid “method” teaching, I know that there are certain exercises and techniques that work on a deep level with every voice. I will employ these in as much as they facilitate vocal growth, but I am always poised to try something different if it better serves the unique instrument I’m working with.

I always start with an initial consultation wherein I get a sense of what the singer’s default tendencies, levels of function, voice type, and habits are. I also always start by asking what the singer hopes to gain from their time working with me. With this information gathered, I curate a regimen that serves to expand range, maximize resonance in a healthy way, establish ease of air flow, and create freedom for expression (to name a few). 

I will assign/encourage exploration of repertoire based off of the students’ individual tastes and goals, while always being mindful of assigning rep that facilitates growth rather than hinders it.

I’m a graduate of the NYU Steinhardt Master’s of Music Program of Vocal Performance (Music Theatre) and Vocal Pedagogy (Teaching) with hundreds of hours of being employed by NYU as a teacher under my belt. I also hold two Bachelor’s degrees from Northern Arizona University: A Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology, and a Bachelor’s of Music in Vocal Performance (Classical/Opera). 

I am grateful for the extensive training that I have received, and am qualified to teach all genres and styles of singing as a result. For more specific information about my credentials, feel free to consult my website and/or resume!

When pricing my lessons, I take several things into account: the distance I, or the student has to travel for us to meet, whether there are additional costs such as rehearsal space booking fees, as well the duration of the lesson.

Please NOTE: when I send you a quote, this initial amount serves as an estimate for how much I think the lessons will cost; it is not a price that is set-in-stone, and I am willing to operate on a sliding scale for those that are unable to afford my standard rate. Please contact me directly for a specific quote! 

For me, teaching really stemmed from a fascination with the human voice, and as a byproduct of my own vocal training. After college I moved to New York to attend grad school at NYU, and I enrolled in the pedagogy program in addition to pursuing my training as a performer. I am fully of the belief that the best way to further your craft is to teach it, so I started teaching at the university and found that it has brought me so much joy. Barring a couple of gaps in time wherein I’ve taken professional shows/gigs that have taken me away from the city, I haven’t stopped teaching since!

The types of students that I have worked with really run the gamut. I’ve worked with students anywhere between the ages of 6 and 46, and with each and every voice type (soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, bass/baritone). As a male singer, I have an inherent understanding of the male voice that facilitates my teaching, however I love working with the higher voice types as well. 

I spent about 10 months with the national tour of The Sound of Music in 2017-2018, wherein I was both a cast member, as well as a voice teacher for the children in the show. The kids were expected to do 8 shows a week just as the adults were, so it often fell to me to ensure that their voices were in good shape for the duration of the run.

It was from this experience that I learned I really love teaching kids. I’ve found that they often bring a positively-unbridled joy and openness to singing that is infectious, and that adults tend to lose touch with over time. Children’s voices are uniquely malleable and yet require a certain understanding to navigate, and I really enjoyed my time with the show wherein I was able to hone that skill.

My main piece of advice is to communicate with a prospective instructor before hiring them to get a sense with whether the instructor will be a good fit. Beyond that however, I say simply try it out! Finding a good instructor that aligns with your goals is a bit like any other relationship: you won’t know if the collaboration is beneficial until you spend time with the person. 

I usually offer a complimentary initial consultation when working with new students because I understand that if for whatever reason I am unable to best serve you, you won’t have wasted too much time or money. 

I recommend every student think about what they hope to gain out of working with me (or any music teacher). I love it when students come in to my studio already having an idea of what they hope to achieve, with an understanding of what aspects of their voices they hope to improve upon, or with a collection of music they love to sing, or would love to explore. By having already done a bit of research before working with me, you only help me better help you! Additionally, I really try to foster an open dialogue in my studio; so if something isn't working, or you don’t feel comfortable with a song or exercise. Please tell me.