Piano with Barbara W.

I graduated with my Bachelors in Music and Psychology with a focus on opera voice in 2009. In my performance program I really grew as a vocalist and learned how to overcome my own obstacles and improve my vocal technique for myself. I feel confident now in sharing my experience and my education with my students so they are able to really grow and improve as well. I started professionally and privately studying vocal technique when I was 17 and prior to that I was performing musical theater in school and in community performance groups. I really found my passion in classical repertoire and studied with numerous private teachers who were professional opera singers such as, Carol Yahr, Maria Fattore, and Annelise Von Georken. Wanting to share my passion for music and help others reach their full potential as a singer I went back for my masters program in music education at Hofstra University where I am currently finishing up my degree. Hofstra has really broadened my knowledge of teaching styles and pedagogies. I am also currently student teaching in public schools as well so I am teaching young adults and young children everyday and I know how to accommodate for different learning styles and help all children. *** Lesson Details *** I really want my students to enjoy singing and find a passion in performing. I truly believe that singing should be a combination of passion and also technique. My lessons will focus on the fundamentals of singing in order to provide healthy vocal technique and a beautiful tone. It is extremely important in all genres for singing to have support, be able to use breath properly and have an understanding how of use the voice as an instrument properly to achieve a beautiful tone. After a few I would like students to not only have improved their sound and have songs they are confident in performing, but an understanding of how to read music and sight singing at the level of the student. I also focus on performance and making sure that my students not only sound beautiful and gain the proper vocal technique but that they perform to the public and have great stage presence. Being able to convey meaning and emotion to a song while performing is equally as important as singing properly. I also love to help students be creative and write and create their owns songs. *** Studio Equipment *** Living room w/ piano seating for parents. I also recommend students bring their own recording device to record their vocal lessons. An iPhone or smart phone works just fine. *** Specialties *** I really enjoy and teaching classical music and opera voice. Although I teach all different styles and genres, from broadway to pop, to classical, and jazz. It is extremely important to have great breathe support and ability to create resonance in order to have a beautiful legato tone. With piano I teach beginners how to read music, play in tempo and basic right hand and left hand coordination.