Lee G  
Instruments: Voice
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Latin, Showtunes, Spirituals, New Age, Soul, Mariachi, Avant-garde

In my private vocal studio, I am proud to have had a current student awarded a position in the prestigious Merola Opera Program at the San Francisco Opera and to have performed the lead in the premiere of Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer’s new opera If I Were You. Another student celebrates a return as a leading tenor to the ensemble at Oper Frankfurt and return international engagements at the Metropolitan Opera, the San Francisco Opera, and others. Other students have successfully retained positions in the Houston Grand Opera chorus, and another is to begin his Master of Music in Vocal Performance at the Boston Conservatory in the fall. I teach all styles. I was fortunate to have a past student appear as a finalist in Season 11 of The Voice on NBC. I hold as much pride for my amateur students who have less apparent achievements to aspire to, and yet who work with as much focus and dedication as the professionals and pre-professionals. They come from a variety of backgrounds, sing a host of different music, and are individual in their goals for singing. It is inspiring to share the desire for good vocalism with such a diversity of people. My professional singing career continues as well. I enjoy a varied performing repertoire, singing many recitals and much contemporary music, but also Mozart and nineteenth-century French and Italian opera. This diversity allows me to keep my voice flexible and fresh while expanding my vocal and expressive capabilities. I believe this experience as a working professional singer for the last twenty-five years is my most valuable asset and has certainly been my best teacher. I therefore encourage all of my students to seek performing opportunities wherever they are led. Teaching Philosophy My role as instructor is rooted in strength and stability, and I attempt to create an environment in which the student feels safe to explore the depth and breadth of their capabilities. This is true whether in the classroom or the studio. I solidify my position with an in-depth knowledge of the material to be presented and with the expertise to demonstrate and cultivate certain aspects of vocal technique. I meet the student where they are, intuiting their desires, fears, and needs. I believe the process of learning involves a step-by-step building of knowledge and skill, reinforcing previous accomplishments in order to be prepared for new developments. Therefore I create a plan for each lesson with specific goals of student achievement. At times however, even the most carefully prepared lesson can evolve into unexpected pathways. In that case I remain flexible and attuned to the present situation, providing guidance and encouragement to explore that which opens before us. Adapting, innovating, and dealing with what is there to work with, I listen for what the student needs from me and anticipate where they are going next. My expectations for my students remain consistently high. I believe it is a moral imperative as an instructor to expect the best from each and every pupil. Not only does this affect the process of learning for the individual but also influences the community at large, challenging others to strive toward their best. I believe my main objective is to endow the student with the security of technique and self whereby they may reveal their own unique creativity and expression.