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MM, Temple University, Vocal Performance BM, Eastman School of Music, Vocal Performance
2009, Howard Hanson Scholarship 2012, Burton Fellowship for study in Berlin, 2012, Friends of Eastman Opera Travel Grant
I am a performing instructor who loves teaching students of all ages piano and voice. I am also a recent graduate of Temple University and the Eastman School of Music in Voice Performance. My passion is German opera and art song, but my roots are in choral music. When I am not gigging or teaching, I am singing beautiful choral music at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. This summer, I will have the opportunity to sing choral music at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in London as well as study opera in Germany.
I have taught students on and off since 2013. Since then, my studio has grown. I now teach over a half dozen students of all ages piano and voice. I personalize each lesson to suit a student's desires and needs. One of my favorite things to do is to try to figure out what type of learner a student is. (Auditory, visual, kinesics, etc.) I tailor the lessons to suit their style and allow them to learn a song easier. This method is especially helpful when I am teaching very young beginning students. I thrive teaching children between 6-9. I emphasize consistent good practice for a short period of time. I encourage my students to fit their practice in transitional times. Practice after dinner, practice before your homework, etc. for 5-10 minutes. It is consistent good practice that allows you to progress faster rather than long unfocused work. I find my students love this idea and it gives them proper freedom in their practice.
My teaching style, particularly with my younger students, is to combine yoga-like breathing and proper posture to develop their voice naturally. I find that it does not matter which style of singing you would like to learn or how you would like to use your voice, breathing and breath work are an essential foundation to wonderful music making. I like to teach voice in a free, forgiving environment where mistakes are encouraged. I am open to new repertoire and choices. I never have my students work on songs they hate because there are a million more songs that they may love which will teach the same lesson. I do not teach out of a method book, but through various personally chosen songs.
I teach a relaxed, free style. I want my students to feel comfortable to move around the room. Our work in the studio is experimental. I am happy with whatever progress we make each week, as long as there is some progression. I particularly emphasize this point with my youngest voice students. All progression is a victory. I am passionate about what I teach because music teaches you a lot about yourself. It teaches you to conquer fears and express your feelings. Music is also grounding to those who need it. It is my deepest joy to watch students grow as artists and as people through their work.