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Nicole R In Studio
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Instruments: Piano, Voice
Styles: Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, Musical Theater, Showtunes

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Nicole R   In Studio
Instruments: Piano, Voice
Styles: Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, Musical Theater, Showtunes

Where I Teach:
My Studio
Ages Taught: 5-25
Levels Taught:

EMAIL US OR CALL 877-687-4524

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ABOUT
Degrees / Training / Special Info:
Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA Graduation: May 2013 Cumulative GPA in Songwriting: 3.97* Pelham Memorial High School, Pelham, NY Graduation: June 2009
Awards:

* SESAC Award Recipient, '13

* Winner of Berklee's Songwriting Competition, '13

* 3rd Place Winner for "Best Song" in Berklee's Perfect Pitch Competition, '12

* 2 time Winner of Berkee's Singer-Songwriter Competition, '12, '11

* 3 Time Winning Songwriter of Berklee's "Curtain Up" Musical Theater Contest, '13, '12, '11

* Berklee's Perfect Pitch Competition Songwriting Finalist, '10

* Berklee Singer Songwriter Scholarship '09-'13

* youngARTS Scholarship Winner, ‘09

*Vocal and piano soloist at Berklee Commencement Concert featuring Willie Nelson, Annie Lennox, and Carol King, '13

*Sang with Annie Clements of Sugarland with Berklee Country Ensemble, '12

* “BITR Tuesday Songwriter in the Round” with Hit Songwriter Joe Doyle, '12

* Pop/Rock Showcase soloist at Berklee Performance Center, '13

* Background Singer for Livingston Taylor at American Songbook Concert, '12

* Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Singer/Pianist/Songwriter, '06-'09

*Performed solo at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall and Lincoln Center's Bruno Walter Recital Hall before the age of fifteen

*performed solo with Rhythm of the Universe at Symphony Hall

*sang the National Anthem at Fenway Park in 2013

*vocal soloist in Rhythm of the Universe's "One for All, All for Van" music video (received over 70 million views in Turkey)


Overview:
I was raised in a musical home in New York City suburbia. Therefore, I was constantly surrounded by the sound of music. My parents were classical violinists and my older brother and I quickly developed a love for making music. I want my students to love it as much as I did when I started studying it. When I was five, I began classical piano studies with Elena Belli at Manhattan School of Music.  In 2013, I graduated from Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor of Music degree in songwriting. I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to perform at some of the world's most prestigious concert halls alongside Grammy award recipients on several occasions. When I was fourteen, I performed solo at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. While I was in college, I had the opportunity to share my voice at Symphony Hall, Fenway Park, and Berklee Performance Center. The crowning moment of my Berklee career was when I shared the stage with Berklee's honorary doctorates, Willie Nelson, Carole King, and Annie Lennox, and of course, my unbelievably talented graduating class at Agganis Arena. I hope to continue on this musical journey and share my knowledge with the dreamers of dreams like myself. 
EXPERIENCE
I began teaching private tutoring sessions to underclassmen while I was studying songwriting at Berklee College of Music. I tutored my friends in ear training, harmony, and performance/audition technique. I found the process came quite naturally to me because I brought the knowledge I had of teaching piano and voice to children in high school to the table. It is so gratifying to see the look on a student's face when they start to comprehend what it is you're teaching them! When they start to grasp the concept, and you can hear it in their performance, that truly is a glorious feeling.   
METHODS USED
Students under my instruction get a grasp of more than the usual elements taught in a music lesson. I push my students to the next level. There's so much more to it than memorizing the piece and being able to play or sing it on a technical level. I want my students to be conscious of how to behave on stage, what it means to perform and not just sing the song, how to connect with their audience with eye contact, and how to deliver music while not losing sight of their breathing, diaphragm, and control. I will pass on the warmup methods that I was trained to do from my professors at Berklee and Manhattan School of Music. We will also go over the difference between practicing and jamming and how to do both in between lessons for I believe they are both important for vocal development for different reasons. I will keep an astute eye and ear on elements such as breath management, intonation, tone quality, phrasing, diction, expression, interpretation, stage presence, preparation, musicianship, and last but not least, attitude.    Another technique I specialize in that I share with students who are interested is self-accompaniment skills. Singing and playing piano is an essential part of my artistry so I believe I can share some of the tricks I've picked up over the years. Students who want to learn how to accompany themselves on piano while they sing will learn how to view the piano and voice one instrument and balance their attention to both. Singing and playing is such a unique skill and will definitely make you stand out at the audition or concert. 
LESSON STYLE
I'm all about getting a good laugh in here and there. MUSIC IS FUN, FOLKS! If it's taken too seriously, it can cause stress and stress leads to tensing the muscles. You can't get much work done with tense muscles or by overthinking now can you? I once heard a brilliant professor put it like this: "Good voice technique combines an understanding of what's going on in your body and also being really aware of your mental process." I think this is very important. I will push my singers to stand on their own two feet as musicians. Under my instruction, they will obtain the musical foundation necessary to make their lives easier when the gig comes along. They will have the sight reading, transcription, and ear training skills necessary to move foreward into professional settings. I want them to be confident in leading a band, counting off, reading the music in front of them, and picking up harmony on the spot. I am also looking to work with beginners on the instrument of voice and/or piano. I remember distinctly being facsinated with my vocal chords at a very early age. What am I doing? How can I sing that one low note? Why does it sound weird when I sing this way? Or at this time of day? Will I ever be able to belt that Eb!? I love discovering these new things with beginners and showing them the steps to exercise their curiosity in an effective way.  I believe, with my experience in music, I can give students a unique look into the life of a professional musician that will hopefully not only mold them into the artist they can be, but inspire them to come back week after week ready to sharpen their creative minds and grow as individuals.
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