Mizell School Of Music

First we discuss what your goals for lessons are.

Second we explore your vocal range.

Third we begin figuring out if there are any underlying technical issue that need to be addressed.

Fourth we apply the things we have learned though your chosen song repertoire.

BM and MM in Vocal Performance

I was apprenticed to the music director, Randy Craig, of the theater program I grew up in, the Young Actors Workshop.  I began coaching musical theater as a repetiteur at the age of 16.

After I finished my Bachelors degree I began teachign privately.  Shortly after that I was asked to take over the Opera Workshop at my alma mater.

I have worked with students of all ages all levels of education from elementary through graudate level singers.

I have experience working with singers who are diagnosed with vocal injury or pathology and am willing to work with your care team to help ensure you recieve the best care.

I have worked with instrumentalists who experience techincal difficulty singing.  I call it singing through an established emboucher.

I love performing for children.  There is nothing more rewarding than exposing people to new musical/thearical experiences.  This year, prior to Covid-19 quaratine, I was priviledged to sing the Queen of the Night in NOISE's, Northwest Opera In Schools Etc., touring production of Mozart's the Magic Flute, sung in English.

A piece of advice I wish my mother had been given for me as a young singer, is to question any teacher allowing teenagers or young children to study opera.  While classical music is perfetly acceptable, opera is generally not appropriate repertoire for the young as the voice has not developed fully and the subject matter tends to be extremely mature.  You might be thinking this is really uncommon, but I had a friend who sang Carmen's Habenera at the are of 10 while I was all over anything with flashy coloratura in talent competitions as a teenager and we had the same teacher...While certain voice types can execute the music, the habits created will not serve the student in the long run.  Plus there is pleanty of great classical music to cut your teeth on!

This also applies to musical theater.  Age appropriate repertoire matters in a theatrical context as well as vocal developement.  It is extremely weird to hear a child singing something like Memory from Cats or Send in the Clowns from a Little Night Music.

It is important to think about your goals and find a teacher who has experience that will help you achieve them.