Voice Lessons in Philadelphia, PA

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute

If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
I have a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, Bachelor of Arts in Music Theory & History, and Master of Music in Vocal Performance.

What is your dream piece to perform and why?
I would love to performance the role of Anne in "The Rake's Progress" by Stravinsky. It is one of the most beautiful 20th century operas I know.

Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
I have a long lost uncle who is a renowned violist. I didn't discover him until a few years ago and was overjoyed to have him in my life as he is the only other professional musician in my family!

If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
I would be a veterinarian. I love animals and, strangely, always planned on being a veterinarian in spite of my studying music as a child. It wasn't until my senior year of high school that I realized I could pursue music for a living and I haven't looked back.

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
I've been playing music since I was a small child, but one teacher in particular that inspired me to pursue collegiate and graduate education in music was my high school band and choral director. He was so committed to his students and always gave 100% no matter what he did. It was so fun and beneficial working with him during those years and he really expanded my love for music.

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
I believe the hardest thing to master on any instrument is an awareness of how far one has come and allowing oneself to celebrate that! Sometimes, we get caught up in always trying to improve and we lose sight of how much we've already learned. I think it is so important to celebrate tiny victories and be kind to oneself at all stages of musicianship. We're never done learning so enjoy the process!

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
Knowing whether a child is ready for lessons depends on many things, not least of all physical development (I.e. can they hold the flute upright?). Has your child expressed a desire to learn an instrument? Do they seem excited about it? Do they understand that practice is vital to learning new skills? If so, I encourage jumping in! Even if your child has some questions or hesitations, I recommend trying lessons out and keeping an open dialogue with them as lessons progress to make sure they are still invested emotionally and mentally and are not only continuing to learn but are having fun!

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
When learning a new skill or a new song, I highly recommend approaching it in short and frequent sessions. Consistency has proven more valuable than, say, practicing once or twice for a long time and not reviewing the new skills for 4-5 days at a time. Most especially with younger students, I encourage parents to start with shorter times of 10-15 minute sessions, once or twice a day, and move up from there.

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