Stephen D
Instruments: Voice
Styles: Classical, Pop, Rock, Musical Theater, Opera, Showtunes
Stephen D
Instruments: Voice
Styles:
Classical, Pop, Rock, Musical Theater, Opera, Showtunes
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
Bachelor Degree: Rutgers University
I am a current music teacher within central New Jersey public schools. I graduated from Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education in 2019. I have two decades of experience in choral singing, and am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel with professional choir on various tours throughout the United States and Europe performing competitively. I continue to perform with choirs and music direct and perform in musical theater productions in NJ and NY whenever I can.
I began teaching private lessons in 2014, and continue to teach voice lessons online. I believe practice is imperative in order to improve, so I always encourage my students to take the opportunity to sing whenever possible whether it be in choir, theatre, vocal competitions, or even in the car! I know from my own personal experience in having done exactly this, practice makes perfect. The word “practice” gets a bad reputation for being “boring”, so I try to instill a love for singing and intrinsic motivation within each student to practice. Being consistent and intentional in practicing is the only true guarantee for success.
I always take my students interests into account that is appropriate for their voice while solidifying good technique. However, it is equally important to be a good listener. I put a major emphasis on aural skill improvement because sight-reading using solfège syllables and rhythm exercises will bring students to the next step in their musicianship and make them more independent learners. When possible, and depending on the learner and their interests, I also encourage singers to sing in other languages to expand their knowledge.
Above all else, I want my students to love singing. Singing in front of a crowd can be anxiety inducing. Instrumentalists have it a little easier since they can hide behind a piano, guitar, or another instrument. It goes without saying that it can be scary to beginning singers who have no where to hide and takes courage to put oneself into a vulnerable position like that! I always take that into account and try to make students as comfortable as possible, and always give encouragement when possible.
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