Alex-Renee D
Instruments: Voice
Styles: Jazz, Pop, Folk, Gospel, Musical Theater
Alex-Renee D
Instruments: Voice
Styles:
Jazz, Pop, Folk, Gospel, Musical Theater
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 5-80
The King's College, Media, Culture, and the Arts
2018- Music-directed a music and video project with 30 Broadway kids for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
2017- Recorded original EP with legendary producer/engineer Bill Scheniman
2015- Directed original project with 10 Broadway kids for The PTSD Foundation of America
2013- Attended the Shine Convention and the Objective Sessions in Nashville
2010- Began recording music to raise funds/awareness for human trafficking victims
I didn't enter this industry as a teacher, but as an artist and activist. At 11 years old, I learned about the human trafficking epidemic and was determined to do something to help. I gathered up my keyboard and my little sister Iris (then 4 years old), and began writing and performing music to raise funds and awareness for victims. Over the next six years, we performed at conventions, opened for artists in concert, and produced charity projects with young people from the Broadway community. When Iris was ten, she booked the role of Brigitta Von Trapp in the Broadway National Tour of The Sound of Music. When her manager found out that I was her vocal coach, she asked me to begin teaching her other clients, and I immediately fell in love. While I had been teaching voice casually up until that point, the community I found in working with Broadway kids was unique. It is so fulfilling to see my students succeed, whether its booking a roles on Broadway, getting their first callbacks, or simply becoming more confident in their abilities. Meanwhile, I have not stopped writing music, and I recently recorded an original EP under the direction of the incredible Bill Scheniman. It's been so neat to see my career blossom into something I never expected, and my kids make it all colorful.
I began teaching during the Summer in high school, mostly for kids I babysat. However, when my sister booked the national tour of The Sound of Music, my clientele expanded to include mostly Broadway kids. In the past couple years, my students have been seen on Broadway/tour in shows such as A Bronx Tale, School of Rock, and Anastasia. Now that I have relocated from NYC back to CT (where I grew up) I am excited to be teaching back where I started! I still commute in and out of the city to work with my clients there, but it's neat to be in a place where now where I also get to work with young singers who may have the potential to flourish in the professional world and need a boost. I also love working with students who sing as a fun, confidence-building hobby! Music has a difference place for everyone, and my goal is to help students excel in whatever artistic path they take.
A typical lesson begins with breathing exercises and a comprehensive vocal warmup. This is usually where we focus on the "mechanics" of singing to make sure the voice stays healthy. Next, we will typically do some ear-training and harmony work, followed by songs! I try to help students develop a diverse repertoire of music that fits their goals. Most students have 3 songs that they are working on at a time: 1) a challenge song: something that's a bit difficult and has significant room for growth, 2) a fun song: a current favorite that the student picks for herself/himself, and 3) a teacher's choice song: one that I choose for the student. For advanced and professional students, we also spend time learning material for upcoming auditions and performances.
As a child, I was endlessly inspired by my piano teacher. She was quirky and unconventional, never wanting music to feel like a "chore." When I would get frustrated with myself, she'd throw up her hands and exclaim, "let's take a break and jam!" She would then pull out a chord progression and we'd improvise together until I was ready to go back to my sheet music. She sparked an excitement in me that I try to pass on to my students. While singing has a lot to do with technique, so much of it is more intuitive than we make it. My goal is to teach students tools to help discover and utilize their natural gifts, developing a voice that is uniquely their own.
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