Singing with Brennan B.

Hello and welcome to my profile! My name is Brennan, and singing is my life. I am an opera singer (a soprano to be precise) that has performed all across the country and overseas, and now teaches voice in the Houston area. Because I have been studying classical voice for 15 years and music in general for 21 years, I know what it takes to improve singing technique and musical skills necessary to be a great musician. As a regular performer, I also know what it takes to get over stage fright and performance anxiety, how to really capture an audience, and how to improvise on the spot when something goes wrong. While I was earning my Bachelor's Degree in Music at Pepperdine University, I also worked as a Music Theory tutor, so I have no problem teaching the basics to even the most beginner adult students. If you want to sing in styles other than opera, that's great! While I specialize in classical singing, I can always help you improve your personal style through good technique. For children under 18, I prefer my students to have at least one year experience with a musical instrument or have been involved in a choir at school for 2 years. It may not seem like it sometimes, but singing is still making music, and my younger students will learn how to sing more quickly if they already know how to read music. If you are here for speaking voice or public speaking lessons, have no fear, I can help you as well. As a performer, I often have to speak and sing in front of large crowds in many different settings. I can help you overcome stage fright, teach you how to project your voice, give helpful tips and tricks for public speaking, and teach you how to write and give an effective presentation. For those who need help with Tonal Music Theory, look no further. I was one of two Music Theory tutors for two years at Pepperdine University. It was my job to help fellow students with homework, hold tutoring lessons, and teach aural skills. In case you wanted to know, here are some of the roles I have played: The Fox in "The Cunning Little Vixen" by Janacek, Rosina in "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" by Rossini, Hermia in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by Britten, Margaret Page in "Falstaff" by Verdi, Jo March in "Little Women" by Adamo, Second Woman in "Dido and Aeneas" by Purcell, Third Spirit in "The Magic Flute" by Mozart, Gloria in "Thoroughly Modern Mille" by Tesori and the Stepmother in "Into the Woods" by Sondheim. I have also been a chorus member in many other shows, including "Otello" by Verdi, "Madame Butterfly" by Puccini, "Sweeny Todd" by Sondheim and "La Boheme" by Puccini.  *** Lesson Details *** I believe in helping the student be the best musician they can be by helping them find their inner voice and working toward a conceivable goal. I am a generally very happy and out-going person, but I am also very driven and hard-working. I love to have fun and joke around with the student while we work hard together to reach their goal. This goal is very important- every student needs to come into their first lesson with a goal in mind so that we have something to work toward together. While I expect hard work and focus during lesson times, it is important to remember that our lesson time is learning time. It is OK to make a mistake, crack, make strange sounds, dance around the room and generally do things that most people do not do in public. In order to find your voice and reach your goal, we might make the strangest sounds and the oddest metaphors you have ever heard, but it will get you the results you want. Singing is the most organic way to create music, and like all things in this world, it is not perfect. I hope that after taking lessons with me, a student will have gotten closer to or attained their goal and will be able to use their singing voice without fear, shame, or embarrassment, and embrace it for what it is- their own, unique instrument. *** Travel Equipment *** If I travel to your home, we would need private space in which to practice. I can bring my own keyboard if you do not have a piano or keyboard. *** Specialties *** I specialize in Classical Singing, especially Operatic singing.