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University Of Illinois - Vocal Performance - University of North Carolina School of the Arts-Drama Program Davidson University- Vocal Performance Queens University- Vocal Performance
Awards Scholarships and Recordings 1994-2005
NATS Continuing Education 1st place
MTNA / Collegiate Voice 1st place state
Opera Guild Of North Carolina Scholarship UNCC
Ofício de Trevas Volumes 1 and 2
Maestro Marcelo Ramos,Orchestra Sinfónico of Belo Horizonte
Blake has spent most of his life on stage, in the studio or behind the scenes assisting singers to experience performance. He got his start as a stage actor and then worked his way to Music Theatre and performing locally in original bands. At 17 years old he found his first singing teacher and began his training in Art songs, Arias, and Classical Music Theatre. His fascination for singing in different languages led him to Germany where he worked in Cabaret, Singspiel and Operetta with the Theaterhof Humbach. In between performances he started an original Country Western band in Seattle Wa. In Brazil Blake appeared regularly with the Symphonic Orchestra of Belo Horizonte and the Orchestra of UFMG in Ouro Preto as a soloist in Operas, Symphony’s, and recordings of Sacred Music. It was in Brazil where he first started teaching contemporary singing at the suggestion of his former vocal coach Marconi Araújo. Blake came back to California in 2008 where he has been active as a vocal coach, hobbyist songwriter, student and singer. He has coached thousands of singers in the styles of Rock, Pop, Southern Soul, Country Music and Musical Theatre. It is his passion to assist singers in learning the art of songwriting and gaining their full expression through their own music. Blake is a trained Actor and Classically trained Singer. He studied Acting at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and studied singing with Nicholas Di Virgilio at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana.
Hello & Welcome! To me musical variety has been essential in becoming a vocal artist. I find it important to question any and all fixed ideas that concern music . I have developed my vocal techniques over the past several decades with the knowledge and experience of dozens of singing teachers and a montage of coach accompanists. I started teaching to become a better student and performer. With teaching was born my understanding that the way I learned to sing may not be the way others learn. This interesting difference has challenged me to invite a more tailored approach to each voice I am involved in shaping. Switching between styles isn't impossible it's easy, but it takes concentration and mobility.
For beginners I generally start with solfejo, rhythm exercises, basic songs and alignment exercises. I like to build a solid base in technique and then work on expression and connecting to the audience. I am a student centered teacher I tailor my lessons to the individual that is in front of me. I want my students to have a unique experience in a lesson along side of learning the cutting edge science behind vocal production. I look at the singing voice as any other instrument. When learning an instrument it’s important to practice.
Whether you want to sing rock, soul, the blues, jazz or opera, posture, relaxation and coordination are essential, and above all things, an openness to learn a new dialogue encompassing music as a language with many dialects. I suit the style of my lesson to the student I am teaching. When learning an instrument it’s important to practice in a way that is conducive to learn the mechanics. We can introduce method and advancement to the brain but I think the way to actually develop the voice is action.
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