Allison S. voice, singing, Opera, music, children's music Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Allison is a versatile performer who has performed a variety of genres including Classical, Jazz, Musical Theatre and Popular. Allison has performed the operatic roles of Lauretta in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi at the University of Arizona and Mother in Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors. Allison has also performed jazz in venues such as the Reno Hilton. In May 2007, she was the featured performer at the University of Arizona's commencement ceremonies. Allison co-composed an original work and improvised music for Rick Wamer’s MYTHOS performance (which featured mime, film, trapeze, circus silks, stilt walkers, and walking globes). This summer Allison co-composed three pieces for Jaguar Luna a multi-arts play that will be previewed this summer in Columbus OH, Washington DC, and New York City.

Allison holds a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from the University of Arizona. She has won a number of awards from the National Association of Teachers of Singing, as well as being chosen to participate in Ann Baltz's 4 week program of OperaWorks.

Along with performing and composing, Allison taught as an Opera Teaching Artist for three years in an outreach program sponsored by the Tucson Unified School District in Tucson, Arizona. As an Opera Teaching Artist for the program Opening Minds through the Arts (OMA), it was her job to sing opera and teach core curriculum especially Reading, Writing, and Language Arts by basing the lessons around opera. By teaching this way it encouraged the students cognitive development, improved test scores, encouraged self-expression, ignited love and understanding of the arts, narrowed the gap between less-privileged and more privileged students and helped build up the community while supporting the arts.

I am an encouraging teacher who is dedicated to inspiring my students to reach their full potential. As your vocal teacher, I will be prepared and ready to begin at the time scheduled for your lesson. I will aid you in developing a more healthy vocal technique and musicianship skills. I teach by using visual, kinesthetic, and verbal examples. Together, we will select repertoire appropriate for your specific voice. Pieces are chosen on the basis of what challenges they present and how they will help the student integrate better vocal technique. The decision to study voice is a commitment to self-discipline. Your lesson time represents a small portion of your study and is to serve as a weekly guide for your daily practice. It is expected that you will apply the techniques and ideas stressed during your lesson time on a daily basis and independently strive for vocal excellence and artistry. Regular practice is required. Students who are serious about their craft and who work hard and practice intelligently on a consistent basis will gain incredible results. A CD recording of each lesson will be presented to you to aid you in your practice between lessons. It will include exercises, technical instruction and any vocal repertoire you are working on in that lesson. Lessons are structured based on your specific needs and goals. All lessons begin with warming up the voice and vocal exercises. During the rest of the lesson, the student will work on a specific selection or selections. Students are required to bring these materials to each lesson: a binder, including your music, a pencil with an eraser, and an open mind and a willing spirit.  Objectives: *Proper posture *Proper breathing techniques *Free tonal resonance *Good articulation *Proper vowel placement *Control of dynamic level and phrases *Correct pronunciation of English and foreign languages *Musical sensitivity and expression in vocal performance *Proper warm-up techniques *How the vocal cords work *Performance skills *Musical skills (aural skills, note-reading, and rhythm) *Healthy and consistent vocal technique

Classical, Musical Theater and Popular

voice, singing, Opera, music, children's music