Anitra B
Instruments: Piano, Voice
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Flamenco, Salsa, Showtunes, Spirituals, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul
Anitra B
Instruments: Piano, Voice
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Flamenco, Salsa, Showtunes, Spirituals, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 5-80
BM, University of Texas at Austin First-Year Masters Student
University of Texas at Austin Certified Kindermusik Instructor
University Cooperative of Fine Arts Scholarship Recipient
University of Texas Dean’s List and University of Texas Honor Roll
University of Texas College Scholar
Queen of the Night - The Magic Flute, W.A Mozart
Madame Goldnertrill - The Impresario, W.A. Mozart
Lucy - The Telephone, Menotti
Cinderella’s Mother, Rapunzel - Into the Woods, Stephen Sondheim
Angel, Chorus - Hansel and Gretel, Engelbert Humperdinck
I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor's degree on Vocal Performance, and am currently a second-year master's student pursuing a degree in Vocal Pedagagy. I am aspiring to be an educator in the realm of community outreach, to be on the opera stage, and to produce and record classical, children’s, Christian, jazz and ethno-cultural sacred music. Along with pursuing a career in teaching, I am pursuing positions in the fields of acting and voice-over work, including character voices, commercial singing, and advertising, I enjoy acting, storytelling, inspiring audiences of all ages, and artful expression by medium of the written word. My future endeavors include, authoring books for children and families, and books focused on total-wellness. As a mother of children with special needs, I also desire to be an advocate for children with special needs, orphans, and low-income families by offering affordable arts and literary enrichment, giving recitals that raise funds for those families and individuals, and launching programs that care for and empower them.
I specialize in the performance and instruction of classical, operatic music, and Kindermusik, but also teach the genres of jazz, spiritual, cultural/ethnic music, and children’s music. My musical expertise encompasses performance, vocal technique, musical analysis, theory, and principle applications of classical music. After graduation, I began teaching and performing for organizations and schools throughout Austin. I have been teaching privately for over ten years, and have had the delightful privilege of teaching privately for Leander ISD for four wonderful years, and classroom music for grades K-12 at Victory Christian Center School. I was afforded the opportunity to build the ground floor as a Vocal Arts Director and Kindermusik © Director, and helped launch the Kindermusik © program Steiner Ranch. In 2004 I became certified as a Kindermusik © Educator. Development of the young child and learning tools for the child with special needs have been areas of deep interest for several years.
I always begin with an assessment lesson during which the student and I can become acquainted and I can learn the student’s ambitions, levels of development, and personal style. For voice students I begin with basic vocal technique, including the study of breathing, posture, voice placement, diction, and English and Italian pronunciation for singing. After assessment, I will parallel technical study with the study of period repertoire, genre styles, and stage presence. We will also incorporate the study of fundamental music theory and sight reading I give each student material to read on technique and terms, along with sheet music and recordings. Every voice student will take home a recording of vocal exercises with which to practice at home, and later, when sight-singing is mastered, the student will begin reading from the Vaccai vocalise book. Students will be able to choose any genre or style of music on which to work, but will also be given assigned pieces to study for the purpose of fundamental technical studies. Every week (or every lesson) the student will receive a sheet called “Lesson Notes,” which will account for the concepts and music covered in our lesson. I recommend that each student record lessons if possible for retention of technical tools covered. Listening to the lesson afterward will help the student better understand the concepts he/she is learning. I recommend practicing a minimum of 30 minutes each day. This is very important for our learning time to be effective and comprehensive. For piano students I use the Alfred curricula, starting with the very engaging "Music for Little Mozarts" for the very young, and moving to the Afred Basic Piano Library and the Alfred's Premier Piano Course for older students. After tailoring a program for the student's individual learning style, I begin using a variety of tools, including flashcards, rhythm sticks, and recordings, to reinforce learning.
Although my expertise is in performance, vocal technique, musical analysis, theory, and principle applications of classical music, 10 years of experience has taught me that the arts encompass every aspect of our lives. Through music, literature, and the arts, I endeavor to inspire children and adults alike to learn at play, to give and grow, explore and discover. I believe that every moment of a young person’s life is an opportunity for growth and enrichment. As they learn about themselves and the world around them, we can guide their footsteps with tender care, wisdom, insight, encouragement and love. I believe that students need to be surrounded with opportunities to express from their hearts and minds, know themselves, embrace the arts, and enjoy the nurturing of their tender, ripening intellect. It is also my most sincere belief that music is one of the most poignant mediums by which we can offer these opportunities. It touches the deepest and most inexplicable parts of us all, yet it can be simple enough for anyone to understand---even an unborn child. The principles of music have been proven to literally train a young brain to be receptive to complex learning, high levels of thinking and reasoning, and the mastery of numeration, sequencing, and calculation. Although every teaching experience is unique, my constant goal is to excellently open the door for the mastery of musical understanding and technique, as it brings about self-confidence, broadens self-awareness, fosters the development of intellect and nurtures a love of learning.
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