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BM, Rhode Island College, Classical Vocal Performance, Summa Cum Laude. 2010
BA, Rhode Island College, Theatre Arts 1991
Having received degrees in both Music and Theatre, I am a cross-over artist, performing and teaching in both fields. In 1991, I received my BA in Theatre Arts from Rhode Island College. I returned to Rhode Island College later in life and completed my BM in Classical Vocal Performance in 2010, graduating Summa Cum Laude. I make my living by juggling three part time jobs. I am a private voice and music theory teacher, a professional church musician, and I work as a musical theatre actor at professional regional theatres in New England. Above all, I LOVE sharing my passion for the arts. Being on stage is a wonderful thing - but there is nothing more rewarding than teaching!
I have over 10 years experience working as a private voice and music theory teacher. I have had numerous professional theatre contracts in equity theatres in MA and RI such as North Shore Music Theatre, Theatre by the Sea, New Bedford Festival Theatre and Ocean State Theatre Company. I have served as guest director for Providence College's Opera and Musical Theatre Workshop Class, and as guest lecturer for PC's Musical Theatre Audition class. I have been a classical soloist for the Fall River Symphony Orchestra, The RI Philharmonic Educational Concert Series, and the West Bay Choral. I have served as guest adjudicator for the New England Show Choir Classic competition, and have been a professional church cantor and soloist for the past 12 years.
In a typical one hour lesson, I spend the first half hour doing vocal exercises using classical training methods. These exercises emphasize development of proper support, usage of air, proper vowel formation and placement and improvement of tone and pitch accuracy. Within the first half hour of lesson, some time is spent on developing basic sight singing skills. Upon request, lesson time can be added if a student desires more intensive training in music theory and sight singing.
The second half of lesson applies the techniques developed during exercises to a song selection. I am capable of coaching in any musical style, but specialize in coaching musical theatre material. Students will use classical training to approach legit MT material, and will also learn how to safely and healthfully approach music requiring a head/chest voice mix. I do not condone or teach "belting". Students choosing to study Music theatre repertoire will be asked to also learn classical material from time to time. Audition preparation is also covered within lesson at the student's request.
I've had a total of six different voice teachers in my lifetime. For most of the teachers at college level, lessons were focused on acquiring repertoire. We were required to learn a dictated number of pieces in preparation for jury performances. I found that during those years, there simply wasn't enough time for the teacher to really instill strong technique in me, because we needed to fulfill the repertoire requirements. The best years of vocal study came after I had received my degree, under the guidance of my last vocal coach. He stopped me to correct everything little thing, even on what seemed to be the most basic of exercises. I learned more about vocal technique in one year of study with him, than I did with all of the other teachers combined. I model my teaching style after his. That being said, I gauge the intensity of my coaching, and the difficulty level of music selections, dependent upon the student's experience and level of training. Beginners need not fear, but more experienced singers can expect a workout during vocal exercises, and a detailed application of technique to their music selections. I LOVE to teach, and I LOVE to watch and hear my students develop into confident singers and performers!
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