Danielle C
Instruments: Piano, Voice
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Musical Theater, Opera, Hip Hop, Showtunes, Bossa Nova
Danielle C
Instruments: Piano, Voice
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Musical Theater, Opera, Hip Hop, Showtunes, Bossa Nova
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 6-80
MA, San Jose State University, Voice Performance
BA, UCLA, Musicology
2017 Performed world premiere of National Geographic's Symphony For Our World at Davies Hall, San Francisco
2014-2016 Zelda in Concert, City National Civic, San Jose
2010 Concerto Competition Award, San Jose State
2006 UCLA Musicology Dept Nominee for College of Letters and Science Research Award
2006 Beethoven's 9th, Disney Hall, LA
I am a working performer and singer in multiple genres, including fully-staged professional musical theatre productions, choral concerts, choir directing, event solos, and gigging with bands. I recently played Morticia in the Addams Family Musical, produced a full-length classical music concert with a concert pianist, violinist and guitarist; performed at Davies Hall in San Francisco for a National Geographic symphony world premiere, and appeared as a musician on an Old Navy commercial. I also have over a decade of private voice teaching experience and two decades of formal music education. I believe it is essential that teachers keep their “head in the game” by continuing to put themselves out there as performers, so they never lose touch with the industry or the perspectives and demands of being a performer. I bring this professional knowledge of auditioning, performing, and the business of showbiz to benefit my students at whatever stage they are on in their musical journey.
I have worked as an educator in a variety of settings, as well as been the recipient of countless voice lessons, vocal coachings, workshops, and masterclasses. In my experience, it is the teacher that carefully balances warm support and nurturance with clearly communicated expectations that yields the best results. Singing is a vulnerable thing, and opening yourself up to feedback about your voice for the purpose of improvement can be even scarier. It is important to me to instill a sense of confidence in all my singers so that they can improve while being proud of their natural talent, and are aware of their strong points to continue to highlight them and shine.
I began teaching private voice lessons in college, and never stopped. I have also taught classroom choral music to junior high and high schoolers, as well as directed choirs of adults, taught music appreciation for adults with courses I designed, and taught after-school music to grade school children. I also worked as a summer school teacher and English Language Teacher in Spain with K-5. As a student myself of language and accents for the theater, I have an excellent ear and provide diction coaching far beyond the typical set of languages. As a former ESL teacher and tutor in Spain, I also help ESL singers with English. I read and teach IPA (international phonetic alphabet). A student of yoga and dance (ballet, musical theatre, latin) since 2004, my teaching of posture, breathwork, and movement is uniquely informed by these kinesthetic arts. My lessons contain an emphasis on mindfulness, body awareness, and physical fluidity in training students. I am also experienced in and happy to work with students with physical and developmental disabilities.
Lessons are custom depending on student goals and desired musical styles. Lessons begin at the piano with vocal warm-ups and vocalises for proper singing technique, followed by vocal exercises focusing on areas in need of strengthening. Time is also spent on breath work, posture, acting, language pronunciation and choreography, depending on the song/project. This is followed by working on pieces of music selected by both the student and I, tailored to the students needs and goals. Songs (repertoire) should include a mix of difficulty levels for strengthening multiple aspects of the voice/performance. Option for beginning piano instruction, music theory and ear training as well.
My teaching style is two part. Many teachers approach each student with the same routine and technique, and don't really listen to the issues the student has or wants to discuss. I listen to students' thoughts and observations, and address their issues and concerns specifically; as well as coming in with my own plan for what can be improved and how to go about achieving the students' goals and what needs to occur for improvement in my professional opinion. I provide a lot of positive feedback because I understand how crucial it is to be aware of what you are doing right, but I am also always honest.
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