Eliza-Jane M
Instruments: Piano, Voice, Viola, Saxophone
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Country
Eliza-Jane M
Instruments: Piano, Voice, Viola, Saxophone
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Country
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 5-80
2014 - Accepted into the Bloom School of Jazz
2013 - Accepted into the Second City Music Conservatory
2013 - Wrote and performed the original cabaret, "Little Black Book: Bring on the Men" at Davenport's Piano Bar, and was given a six month extension
2012 - Accepted into a four-month vocal study with Scott Flaherty in New York City
BA, Illinois State University, Vocal Performance and Music Theory
BA, Illinois State University, Classical Acting
Thank you so much for checking out my profile! I have been having a love affair with music and the arts for over twenty years. Beginning piano lessons at the age of five, it still continues to be one of the biggest joys in my life, second only to singing. I grew up in a very small town in central Illinois, and was always very active in community choirs and theatre. I always knew I wanted to study music, and chose Illinois State to do so. While there, I participated in musicals, as well as concert choir and the women's elite chorus "Belle Voix." Since college, I have been writing original cabarets and performing live around the city of Chicago. It's my philosophy that one should never stop learning, so I study regularly with my voice teacher of eight years, Sandra DeAthos, take class at the Bloom School of Jazz (vocal performance and jazz piano), and with the Second City Music Conservatory.
My experience with teaching began in high school, when I taught piano and choir at the pre-k level with a local community group. It was there that I fell in love with helping students learn. Since then, I have privately coached voice and piano, and helped students prepare for auditions or solos. Nothing is more amazing than watching someone achieve their goals and loving every step of the process!
For beginning voice students, I focus on opening and relaxing the throat by way of diaphragm support and healthy, strong breathing. These are the fundamentals of good singing, regardless of the style. We work on these techiniques with both vocal exercises and repertoire. From there, I focus on the student's quality of tone and helping them find their "natural voice." The best singers use their authentic sound, and are not a second-rate imitation of someone else. Once a student is ready, I work on overall musicality and polishing, i.e. phrasing, diction, emotion of a piece, etc.
For beginning piano students, I use Alfred's Basic Piano Library for both children and adults. One of the most challenging steps of learning to play the piano is the coordination of muscles in the fingers and hands. To ease this struggle, I use Hanon's Piano Virtuoso method drills.
Every student is unique. Therefore, a student's learning process should complement that uniqueness. I like to take time to figure out exactly what "speaks" to a student. What really works for some is completely lost on others. I tailor my instruction to their wants and needs, and take close note of the activities to which they respond well. In doing so, the student meets their goals in a quicker and more enjoyable way.
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