Anne G. TakeLessons Instructor Voice, Beginning Piano N. York, Sterling Heights, MI

My name is Anne and I recently received my Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education with a Vocal Emphasis from Oakland University in Rochester, MI.  I am currently teaching private voice lessons at Maniaci MusicSchool in Sterling Heights MI.  I have taught privately for almost two years.  I am currently accepting new students. 

I hope to use my ample experience with performing solos, singing in a variety of ensembles, music theory, ear training, music history, and piano to best aid my studnets in improving their voices or beginning their piano study.  I also hope to use my experience as a voice coach and my understanding of learning theories to best teach each individual.

I have trained with some of the most prominent names in the metro-Detroit area, many of whom have performed around the world in opera and musical theatre productions.  I have also performed in productions throughout the metro-Detroit area.  I use many of the same methods that my voice teachers used on me, and that have allowed me to grow into a professional singer.

I teach a classical method of vocal technique.   The classical method is the foundation.  It is up to the individual just how he or she would like to build on it.  However, I have experience with a wide variety of genres, besides classical, and would be happy to impart this knowledge to my students.

My goal is to provide high quality instruction to students of all ages in order to help them express themselves musically to the best of their ability.

Voice:

I am a kind and welcoming teacher!  I understand that everyone's voice is personal and unique.  I do not expect anyone's voice to fall into a mold. I strive to bring out the best that your voice has to offer. I like to create a comfortable, but on task environment for my students.  This is so that they will free to share their most precious instrument with me: their voice.  I understand that students of voice need continued support to develop the vocal mechanism.  I work to ignite in my students a love for a variety of vocal art.

 The first lesson is not an audition, but a 'getting to know you' session.  After completing some paperwork, we will get you started with what you came to me for- singing.  On this first lesson we simply do a few vocal warm up exercises.  This is so that I can get a feel for your voice and so that I will be able to create a personalized program tailored to your vocal needs.  I may also ask you to sing a song that you already know- such as Jingle Bells- in both high and low keys so that I can get a sense of what songs would best suit your voice.  Following this, if there is a song that you have worked on in your past singing experience, I would encourage you to bring it to this first lesson so that I can get even more of an understanding of where you are at vocally. 

Aside from the first day, the usual curriculum consists of warm-ups, sight-reading, and repertoire. 

Warm-ups are simple voice exercises that serve multiple purposes.  The first is what the name implies: to warm up your voice.  Much like when you warm up your muscles before exercising, your voice also needs to be warmed up.  Second, this is a perfect opportunity to work on breathing, posture, tone and resonance, some of the many things that you will be working on in your voice lessons. 

Sight-reading is learning how to read music through the vocal instrument.  With my help, I will teach you to sing music on a page just by looking at and understanding the musical notes.  This is essential for singing.  This helps to develop the ear and also allows you to understand the notes that are above the words that you are singing.  My goal with this is that you will come to not need me at all- that you will be able to look at a piece of music and be able to sing it, with out any professional having to play or sing it for you. 

That being said, the majority of your lesson will be spent on learning actual music!  The genre is is tailored to the specific student.  I will most likely start you out with what you're most familiar with.  This could be a song from a variety of genres, such as pop, jazz, rock, musical theatre, religious, etc.  If the student has no personal preference,  I will start them out with a folk song or an art song, depending on their experience level. As you progress we will move to more chalenging or unfamiliar repertoire.  It is through new, interesting repertoire, that you will not only improve your voice, but also expand your horizons as you explore and perform new genres that you may not be familiar with. 

I will also give you ample opportunities to perform through contests and community events, if you chose to do so.

I hope that you will consider voice lessons for yourself or for a family member or friend.  I tailor lessons to individual students and will make them fun and worthwhile.

I teach a classical method of singing which gives a wonderful foundation for vocal technique. However, it is up to the student how they would like to build on this foundation. After classical, I am most qualified in musical theater, though I also have experience in pop, jazz, rock, country, and R & B.

I also am available to teach beginning piano as I have experience accompanying my voice students.

Voice, Beginning Piano

"Anne has a good sense of humor and a kind disposition. She is well-groomed and trustworthy with a lovely singing voice and excellent musicianship."

"She is organized and holds reasonable expectations of her students earning their confidence and respect. Anne gives clear directions and selects appropriate activities and assessments giving  feedback and using appropoate language."

"She is liked and respected by students. Anne's friendly demeanor and calm temperment are great strengths. Her expectations are fair and challenging as she communicates these to students. She presents information in a logical sequential mannor."

Nina Flanigan, Oakland University Supervisor, Summerative Evaluation of Anne April 16, 2008