Voice Lessons in Northbridge, MA

Instruments: Voice Drums

I have been teaching vocalists and instrumentalists around the world for over 40 years. During my 27-year tenure as Assistant Chair of the Voice Department at Berklee College of Music in Boston, I instituted courses for teaching singers all styles of jazz and contemporary music. I teach technique and style interpretation to all ages and levels of proficiency. I have a positive attitude and encourage my students to practice hard to reach their goals. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Ukulele

For young beginners of piano, I start with Edna Mae Burnam's Step By Step Book 1, as it begins right away with basic reading of notes and music. From there, I progress into the Faber Piano Adventures Series. Adults will start with the Alfred Adult Piano Course. Voice students are welcome to choose one song each cycle, while I choose two. It's important to me that they get to express themselves and what they like, while also learning new pieces for their repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Voice

For beginning students, who especially are children, I normally start from the fundamentals of voice technique in a very informal and fun way, so the students can enjoy the process of learning with ease and stress-free. When the student has a grasp of the basics, we start building a repertoire and working more specifically on performance skills. With adults, I generally try to understand first their goals, their specific needs, and guide my instruction accordingly to maintain the lesson engaging, interesting and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For my jazz students, I always start them off singing simple standard tunes that many people are familiar with. I have access to every jazz real book, and have many different lead sheets to tunes that aren't even included in them. I also have access to many different musical theatre books for all different voice types. I'm working on getting more piano books in my library, but I am a friend to many professional pianist that are able to provide a variety of texts to me which helps me more than I know. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I also believe that singing is highly physical and I help all of my students with physical exercises to help them become more aware of their bodies and build strength in certain places while releasing others, especially in the belly and abdomen (a place singers often hold so much tension). These exercises are based mostly on Qi-Gong moves which also facilitate smooth, even breathing. My overall goal, of course, is for my students to have fun and be able to express themselves without any limits from unhealthy technique, and be able to share their gift with the world. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

My aim is to guide students to be independent musicians, therefore lessons include vocal technique, breathing and vocal production, reading music, music theory, how to learn a piece of music effectively and efficiently. I suggest repertoire based on a student's previous experience, if any, or relate repertoire to their life experience, if appropriate. Young children often start with folk songs or rhymes, more experienced students move on to more complicated repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Flute Clarinet Organ Synthesizer Recorder Piccolo Keyboard

If you wish to educate, you must inspire first. Each student is encouraged to proceed at a pace that is suited to their aptitude, goals, schedule and drive. Positive acknowlegement of achievements, clear communication and demonstration of techniques, opportunities to play with others at a similar level of growth and an atmosphere of musical community are key to the progress of my students. To inspire, instruct, and enjoy music is the mesaage the teacher should be imparting to the student. Read More