Violin Lessons in Virginia Beach, VA

Instruments: Voice

Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
* Nick Fargo opened for Sebastian Bach at 19 years old. About ten years later, VH1.com praised his band "MoTHER" in an online article. The band's original cut "Medicine" was audio produced by Grammy-winner David Ivory. The song was chosen for an FDC (Fire Department Coffee) ad that now has 100,000+ YouTube views. * JaQuita May performed on national TV with "Oprah's Pop Star Challenge," which helped launch her professional career. Recently she has done two national TV ads: Diana Ross' hit "I'm Coming Out" for Bloomingdales, and Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" for Arm and Hammer - with 1.5 mil views on YouTube. * Dan Purcell sang the solo with "Ithacappella" (his college a cappella group,) opening for Rockapella. As a result, both Dan and I were asked to teach at the Highlands A Cappella Festival - featuring Deke Sharon (the Father of Contemporary A Cappella). See Deke and I in our matching red staff T-shirts above. Now a singer/songwriter in the "indie-pop" genre, Dan has released his first original EP on Spotify, with 100,000+ plays for the title song "Serendipity." It includes "Marathon," with Grammy-winning Ivan Jackson on percussion. * Anthony Tamburro gathered his 13 original songs, and released his CD "Alaska" and was praised by Christine Santelli (Grammy Nominated songwriter). His songs received radio airplay on CKCU Ontario Canada, WFDU Teaneck NJ, WCWP, Brookville NY. A chef by profession, his musical success inspired him to fulfill the dream of opening his own restaurant, "Krewe" in Jersey City, NJ. Sometimes he serenades his customers with his guitar while still wearing his apron. Taking singing lessons can help you find your true voice, call out for what you really want, and follow your dreams.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
Usually, when the student is 10 or 11, you can hear their speaking voice start to change to an adolescent sound. A few students are ready to start earlier, if they have already been performing, they seem drawn to it, and want to continue. But I make that decision on a student-by-student basis.

When will I start to see results?
It’s different for each student. Some students take to the lessons quickly, and I can hear improvements in a month. Others take longer. But a parent may not hear the subtle changes I do as quickly as the changes happen. I usually recommend that if students like the first few lessons, they commit to six months of weekly lessons to really know if this is the right activity for them.

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
Joseph Scott, the teacher to whom I dedicated my textbook (“Singing: Body and Soul” available on Amazon.com). He was the first one to talk with me about how the brain works during singing. Right brain vs. left brain thinking – he recommended the book “The Right Brain: A New Understanding of the Unconscious Mind and Its Creative Powers.” The first year I studied with Joseph Scott, three of his students received Tony nominations.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I sang all the time. And was the only one in my high school class of 660 students to be accepted into New Jersey All-State Chorus in both my Junior and Senior year. I performed with the chorus both times.

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
The success of my singing students. Their college acceptances, their original recordings that receive radio airplay. And having the opportunity to work with Deke Sharon (The Father of Contemporary A Cappella). You can see us in the photo above at the Highlands A Cappella Festival in our matching red staff T-shirts. One of my students (Dan Purcell) won several awards during his college a cappella days and became president of his Ithaca College Men's A Cappella group his senior year. His success brought both he and I to attention of the national a cappella world. Deke Sharon has since praised my book "Singing: Body and Soul" on GoodReads.

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