Nilusha D  
Instruments: Voice
Styles: Jazz, Pop, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Funk, Showtunes, Spirituals, Latin Jazz, Swing, New Age, Bossa Nova, Soul, Avant-garde

I began teaching voice just prior to commencing my Bachelor of Music. I contacted a local singing school and asked them if I could start teaching for them, this was in 2001. From the very first lesson, I felt an immense satisfaction from helping other people achieve their musical goals and I knew this was part of my journey as a musician- to pass on the knowledge I had acquired through my education and performance experience. Shortly after I graduated from University, I was asked to start lecturing. I began with a few principal studies students, and soon I was asked to conduct and direct the Jazz Department's Vocal Ensemble. My student list grew, as did my contribution to one of the top Universities for contemporary music in Australia. I developed curriculum for voice students, became an examiner, directed small jazz ensembles, world music ensembles, vocal masterclasses and once I had graduated with a Master of Philosophy, I began thesis supervision for Honours and Masters students. I encourage my voice students to be well rounded musicians and help them with their piano and accompanying skills, aural studies, composition and sight reading in addition to assist them their vocal technique and overcoming any vocal issues they may be experiencing. I have studied many contemporary vocal styles and techniques and assist students with reaching their full potential. I am always researching into new techniques and practices to stay on top of my instrument and also because I am passionate about voice and teaching others!

I vary my teaching methods according to the level and needs of each student. Each and every lesson is tailored toward the musical goals and dreams of the students. I believe in creating engaging lessons that students will enjoy but also learn a great deal from. For beginner students, I show them some fun ways of working on their breathing techniques, then I sing short melodies to them and ask them to sing them back to me, then I let them sing a little melody to me and I sing it back to them. Following this, we'll engage in some singing with scale degrees (numbers) i.e. 1, 1-2-1, 1-2-3-2-1 etc. It's another fun way to work on aural skills. I'll then proceed to take them through some basic foundation building technical scales and repertoire. For Intermediate students, the breathing and technical work is more advanced, I include aural studies like intervals signing and recognition and perhaps modes of major scale then we'll sing through their chosen repertoire. For Advanced students, the breathing and technical work becomes even more advanced. Depending on the goals of the student, I will include technical scales and they have the choice to work on aural skills, jazz theory, composition, improvisation techniques, transcribing exercises, sight reading and repertoire.