Rachel S
5.0
(2)
Instruments: Voice
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Showtunes, Spirituals, New Age
5.0
(2)
Rachel S
5.0
(2)
Instruments: Voice
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Showtunes, Spirituals, New Age
Where I Teach:
My Studio
Ages Taught: 8-80
ABOUT
Degrees / Training / Special Info:
MM, Rice University, Voice Performance BM, Mannes the New School for Music, Vocal Performance
Awards:
Richard and Deborah Felder Voice Scholarship 2014
Atkinson Memorial Tuition Award 2013
Schissler Foundation Endowed Scholarship 2012
Shepherd School of Music Tuition Scholarship 2012-2014
Mannes College the New School for Music Merit Scholarship 2008-2012
Overview:
I have been singing since before I could speak. My first gig was with a Jewish Choir when I was around ten years old, and the act of singing ignited a passion within me that has lasted a life time. During my grade-school years, Ithought that I wanted to go into Musical Theater, and that I was going to be the next Audra Mcdonald. At camp and community theater, sI pursued this passion for music and acting through musicals. However, I tended to play everyone’s mom and grandmother because my voice sounded too mature and operatic. In my Freshman year of high school, I began voice lessons with my teacher and mentor, Paula Brown, who happened to be an Operatic Lyric Coloratura. Slowly, she began to introduce me to the fascinating, challenging and rewarding world of Classical Music and Opera and I was hooked. Through high school, I studied with Paula until I was ready to continue my music in higher education. I completed my Bachelor’s of Music at Mannes College in 2012. I have also completed my Master’s of Music at Rice University under the instruction of acclaimed voice teacher, Dr. Stephen King. In April of 2014, I performed the role of Lady Billows in their 2014 production of Britten’s Albert Herring. Over the summer, I also performed extensively with Aspen Music Festival, singing Pamina, Despina and La Contessa in Opera Scenes Master Classes and understudying Sybil Vane in The Picture of Dorian Grey. In the Summer of 2013, I performed the role of Suor Osmina in their production of Suor Angelica, and covered the roles of Fortuna and Venere in their production of L’coronazione di Poppea. Rachel made my operatic debut with Rice University in their fall of 2012 production of Volpone as Celia. With Rice University, I was also featured in their scenes programs as Mimi from La Bohème, Ilia from Idomeneo, Rosalba from Florencia en el Amazonas, and Mrs. Fiorentino from Street Scene. A Philadelphia native, I'm glad to be home again. In Philadelphia, as well as teaching, I am auditioning for Opera companies around the United States and I'm freelancing within the tri-state area. I just completed a contract in December where I worked with Utah Opera as a Resident Artist.
EXPERIENCE
I have been teaching for two years now. It's been extremely fun to work with my students. 90% of my students so far have been Musical Theater singers. I adapt my teaching to their styles. What I teach for everyone is healthy singing. I have a wealth of pedagogical knowlege, and I know how the voice psyiologically works. I also love to help students learn how to read music themselves and I help them with their musicianship skills. One of my biggest loves is to help my students to learn interpertation. You cannot know how happy it makes me when I see a student use the music to express who they really are. I try to make my lessons as fun and carefree as possible. I know the only wau my students will have any fun is if they trust me and themselves. I try to gain that trust and to respect it.
METHODS USED
When I first start working with students, I strictly work on warmups for a few lessons. The first lesson is usually when students get their jitters out about singing in front of someone and learn that I'm really not a scary person. I also get to know where their voice sits, what is beautiful about their voice and what we could work on. Once there is comfort between myself and the student, I will start teaching them technique to create more comfort and ease in their production of tone. I teach breath, posture, resonance, placement and help students get over their mental hurdles to sing their best. When they are getting the basics, I will introduce music of their favorite styles into lessons and we will work on technique seperately and through these repertoire selections. At the end of each lesson, I will give students homework and three to five goals for the week. I give them a very clear idea of what they need to do at home to keep progress moving forward.
LESSON STYLE
One of my greatest pleasures is imparting the knowledge that I have gained through my ten plus years of study onto others. I personalize my teaching style to the needs and temperaments of my students. When instructing, I explain concepts in multiple ways, ensuring that no matter what learning style you are, that you will able to progress and achieve. My students find me to be energetic, warm and passionate, and one of my biggest goals is to make my students feel more empowered when they leave than when they arrived. Music is a transformative art form and I hope to enrich my student’s lives and help them grow through its power.
PHOTOS & VIDEOS
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RATING & REVIEW
Anna
Very nice, professional. Engages our shy son well, he enjoys lessons with Rachel.
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