Voice Lessons in Grafton, OH

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Banjo Ukulele Double Bass Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I emphasize the importance of developing good technique and a fundamental understanding of the basic components of music: major and minor scales, arpeggios, chords, modes and chord progressions. I believe that technical facility makes it easier to accomplish musical goals while developing musicianship. I like to tailor my lessons to each student using music that the student brings to me to create lessons and exercises. For students that like to uses books I like to use the Hal Leonard Method books for Guitar, Bass, Banjo, and Ukulele and the Alfred Method books for Piano and Drums. Read More

Instruments: Voice Music

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. By trying to find out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute

I am a very kinesthetic teacher. We move around the room a lot during lessons because piano, flute, and voice should be an extension of music that is first heard in the mind (inner hearing/audiation), so note playing/singing is not merely a muscle memory. We sing, tap, or clap 90% of music we learn before we attempt to play it on an instrument or sing it resonantly. Thinking through a vocal line and anticipating the high notes and the openness needed in the body/throat and the breath support needed will help the student discover an unknown freedom and give them tools to help transfer this into other songs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Euphonium French Horn

As a teacher in public and charter schools, I have directed choruses, small chamber ensembles, orchestras, and musical theater. I started teaching music lessons during college, where I excelled as a trombonist. Although I remain a brass teacher, I "made the switch" to singing in 2005. In 2006 I was accepted to graduate school for singing and historical musicology. I have had the opportunity to perform with some of the finest conductors and ensembles in the nation, and I bring my professional experiences into the classroom and the studio. Read More

Instruments: Voice

All good singing is the same. Whether you are belting out Celine Dion or delicately exploring the passion and beauty of a Schubert Art Song, 99% of the technique remains the same--the fundaments of breath support, posture, vowel shape, formants, laryngeal posture, etc. As an instructor I reinforce those fundamentals very hard from the beginning because establishing a solid technical base is paramount to healthful singing in any style. Within that technical framework, I always make sure that I am finding my students' passions and working to make their own musicianship and musicality come to life as effectively and rewardingly as possible. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Ukulele Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

Positive reinforcement is everything! While there will always be room for improvement and growth, it is crucial to acknowledge successes throughout each lesson. Learning a new instrument requires patience, practice, and determination, and reinforcers can be a huge motivator (I know they were for me when I was learning). Realistic goals should be set for the individual at each lesson. Most importantly, it is not a race. Adaptations will be made accordingly based on the learning pace of each student. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I am currently a graduate student studying Musicology at Rutgers University. My musical journey has been continuous ever since singing for the first time in my home church's youth choir. Studying piano and viola, performing on stage in musicals, and participating in choir invariably throughout grade school, I was finally lead to study classical music at Susquehanna University. Both in high school and at college, I was an active participant in many vocal genres, including jazz, a capella groups, barbershop quartets, musical theater, classical art song, and a touch of popular music. Read More