Kate S
5.0
(3)
Instruments: Piano, Voice
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Country, R&B, Musical Theater, Opera, Showtunes
Kate S
5.0
(3)
Instruments: Piano, Voice
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Country, R&B, Musical Theater, Opera, Showtunes
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 5-80
BM in Vocal Perfirmabce, Eastman School of Music
MM in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy, Penn State University
Joan Boytim Award for Independent Voice Teachers
President of Southern AZ NATS
I am a passionate teacher who enjoys working with students of all abilities and ages. I have extensive experience working with special needs students, and I also specialize in musical theater and operatic training. I work in a general music classroom setting and in a private lesson the setting, so my experience and qualifications are wide and varied. I also am a music director for local theater groups, including the Arizona Rose theater company. I teach beginning and intermediate piano and all levels of voice.
I have been a performer and teacher in the greater Tucson area for the past 10 years. I currently teach voice and piano lessons from my home studio on the northwest side of town, and perform/music directs with the Arizona Rose Theatre Company. I am happy to teach students of all ages and abilities, especially students with special needs. I am a fully certified music teacher in the state of Arizona, and have an up-to-date fingerprint clearance card. I also teach at the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind, and I have extensive experience working with students who are blind or visually impaired. I am a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, and I completed my master’s degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy at Penn State University. Favorite roles include Gretel in Humperdinck's "Hansel and Gretel," Lucy in "The Telephone," Luisa in “The Fantasticks,” Rona Lisa Peretti in "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," Marian in “Robin Hood the Musical,” Susanna in “The Marriage of Figaro,” and Poppea in “The Coronation of Poppea.”
For piano students, I start with the Alfred or Bastien method series depending on age, and add lead sheet reading and Hanon exercises as well. I tailor lessons to the student, so if the student is interested in playing contemporary music, we work mainly on that. For voice, I assess the student’s range, current ability, and goals, and then we focus on vocal exercises that will help them improve their technique and on repertoire that interests them. For example, in a 45 minute lesson we normally will spend about 15-20 minutes on vocal and breathing exercises, and then 20-25 minutes on repertoire.
I believe that a good teacher helps students teach themselves. Most of a student’s learning will be done on his or her own at home or in a practice room, so a teacher must give them the necessary tools to succeed, as well as constant support and encouragement. My goal is to teach healthy, grounded singing, no matter what musical style my students are interested in pursuing. I focus on balanced and centered body alignment, accurate body mapping, an easy breathing technique, and vibrancy/flexibility in sound. If there is unnecessary tension or problems in these areas, this can hold students back from truly enjoying singing. I always listen to my students and tailor my teaching to fit their needs.
Gabrielle Rubin
Kate is a highly trained teacher who in just a few lessons has pinpointed what my vocal issues are. She is kind, patient, and encouraging.
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