Voice Lessons in La Canada, CA

Instruments: Voice

I have been teaching private voice since high school, where I took on my first 8 year old student. I continued teaching lessons all through college, giving private instruction and theory tutoring to my classmates and fellow vocal performance students. It was there that I found my knack for repertoire and audition preparation; as a board member for the Berklee Musical Theater club, club members would often seek me out to select appropriate repertoire and rehears for their auditions. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Ukulele

I am a charismatic, fun, sensitive, and super-knowledgeable instructor ready to help you achieve your musical dreams! I left my Ph.D. in 2013 so I could perform and teach more on my own terms, and I am thrilled to be a working performer in New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. My earliest musical training was in voice, and I have been an accompanist for many years, so I enjoy collaborating on helping vocal students express their highest potential. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Ukulele Music

My teaching experience dates back to college, as I was the Vice President of the collegiate choir, and small group leader for international tours. After that point, I had the privilege of working at the elementary, high school, and collegiate levels teaching voice, piano and acting. I have over ten years of experience as an orchestal conductor and music director for Azusa Pacific University, Cal Baptist University and Life Pacific College. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

My Methods: Fundamentals of breath work - incorporating several physical exercises and methods of showing the coordination until it is ingrained Focus on the use of the resonators - projecting the sound to the different cavities where sound resonates before leaving your body and into the room (i.e. 'the mask', mouth resonance, chest resonance, etc) Reducing tongue tension - a common issue is root of the tongue tension and I have several exercises to address this Improving range - most of my students gain notes in their belt range and their head range, and often in their low range as well Increasing the legato vocal line - here we focus on linking the vowels properly supported by the breath Jaw tension - similar to tongue we have evercises for this Style - different approaches such as riffing, back phrasing, using a glottal attack, using a breathy attack - creating colorful expressive phrases that link to the emotion of the song and the style desired Musicality - learning to read music, counting tempo, sustaining pitch, syncopation, dynamics, etc Diction - correct vowel shapes and enunciation + awareness of when tension closes down the vocal line if diction is carried over from speaking habits Performance - using tools from acting training to perform a song effectively and believably Career consultation - when appropriate, also offered Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Bass Guitar Double Bass Music Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

While enjoying all school music activities I was selected to join in honor county and state orchestras and choirs. In junior high and high school I was selected to play for the Junior Pacific Symphony Orchestra, received scholarships to music summer camps, and was selected musician of the year. In college my quest continued with the Orange Coast College Orchestra, Praise Symphony Orchestra, Vanguard University Orchestra as well as guitar ensembles and college choir groups. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I know I'm doing my job when my student is growing not only in their abilities, but in their love of music! Ensuring that each student is learning repertoire that they enjoy at a pace that suits them is central to my teaching style. I love to find each student's strengths and celebrate them, as well as targeting goals for improvement in a warm, safe setting. I believe that music is meant to bring joy and healing to people, whether you are listening to it or making it. Read More