Susan M
Instruments: Voice
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Folk, Country, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Spirituals, Soul
Susan M
Instruments: Voice
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Folk, Country, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Spirituals, Soul
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
Full Scholarship/Job at University of Connecticut for Doctorate
Research Scholarship about Barbara Strozzi in Italy from Hartt School
2nd Research Scholarship about Barbara Strozzi in Italy from Hartt School
3rd Research Scholarship about Barbara Strozzi in Italy from Hartt School
Scholarship for Research of Fanny Mendelssohn in Germany
After winning the National Association of Teachers of Singing Artist Award I enjoyed operatic roles: Gingerbread Witch/Hansel and Gretel(Connecticut Opera and Opera Theatre of Connecticut) Rosina /Barber of Seville; Susanna/Marriage of Figaro; Pappagena/Magic Flute; Dido/Dido and Aeneas; Estella/La Perichole; Senta(Scena/Duet/Flying Dutchman) opposite David Rae Smith of New York City Opera. Oratorio roles include opposite Jennifer Larmore and Jacques Trussel in Judas Maccabeus; Faure’s Requiem, Haydn's Missa Brevis, Vivaldi's Gloria; Handel's Messiah, and the premiere of Fanny Mendelssohn's Faust. A soloist on Public radio and TV in Boston, San Francisco, in Connecticut, in Carnegie Hall, and as a Connecticut Commission on the Arts Touring Artist, I’ve sung jazz, broadway, and on concert series throughout the Northeast and has an AGMA chorister/soloist at Connecticut Opera for 6 seasons and Stage hand for the Met Boston and Boston Opera. I Directed/coached musical theatre, winning Best Musical Director for “Into The Woods” with my high school students. My 30+ years as Church Soloist and Music Director/organist included King’s Chapel and Arlington St. Church/Boston, St Anthony of Padua (Litchfield), Our Lady of Sorrows(Hartford), Church of the Good Shepherd, (Hartford) St. John the Evangelist (Watertown), St Anthony (Prospect). I was very fortunate to receive 5 grants to research Fanny Mendelssohn, Amy Beach, and Barbara Strozzi, resulting in feature journal articles, publication of 60 scores, and lecture/recitals throughout the world including Venice, Boston, and New York. Elected to Pi Kappa Lambda, Who's Who in America, Women the World and Lifetime Achievement Award, I hold a B.Music degree from New England Conservatory, M.M from The Hartt School, and a Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut.
I have been teaching voice for 30+ years, from classical to broadway, and all forms of contemporary. I began teaching traveling to people's homes, and was so fortunate to have many requests and so created a home studio. I was asked to also teach in several towns. I loved and still love teaching and the students themselves. I want the lessons to be a fun and exciting process. I want them to learn. I have taught at University of Connecticut, Hartford Conservatory, Hartt Community Division and several other places.
First, it is important to have the students feel that you care and want to open their talents. Next, doing exercises together to learn diaphragm breathing and see the joy as they realize they can make a lovely vocal sound. Watching them Find their true voice through an open throat is almost like magic. Discovering how the cheeks and bones move and open producing a radiant sound adds much more to learning to sing. Finally, feeling the entire body resonating as a singer-actor opens a world of music.
I want the lessons to be a fun and exciting process. I love working with ages 11-85 and try to accommodate and feel how their singing becomes more and more joyful. Singing scales, breathing at times against a wall, moving arms and singing with joy, all help students enjoy and create the sound and rhythms they are comfortable with. I always encourage students to believe in their talents and choose repertoire they love! Feeling the sound of the voice in their face and learning to sing words naturally creates a studio full of fun. Discovering that memorizing is fun and finding places and people to sing for brings in growth and more self-esteem. All of this progress is so much fun for me too!
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