JoAnn R.

General Info

• Certified Music Teacher

  Certified Music Teacher

  Our rigorous hiring process requires a completed application; an interview with our professional recruiting specialists; personal and professional reference checks; and annual criminal background checks for the duration of each teacher's employment with us.

  
• Background Check Complete

  Criminal Background Check

  In order to ensure the safety of our students, all teachers undergo a thorough criminal background check, which includes: Social Security number trace, multi-state criminal search and a nationwide sex offender registry search.

  
• Levels: Beginner to Advanced

• In-Home Lessons: Yes
• In-Studio Lessons: Yes
• Ages: 5 & up

Subjects Taught

Singing, Opera Voice, Cello

Education

Cal Poly Univ Pomona - Landscape Architecture - 9/91-6/96 (Bachelor's degree received)
California College of Podiatric Medicine - Podiatry - 9/76-6/80 (Degree received)
Cal State Univ Los Angeles - Music - 36 units - 12/70-8/72 Cal State Univ Los Angeles - Music - 9/64-12/70 (Bachelor's degree received)

Specialties

My main specialty is teaching you to teach yourself the art of singing or cello playing, so that you can fully enjoy your unique musical gifts for the rest of your life.

I do that by:

-Working with you to develop a technique that is safe and comfortable.

-Exploring with you how to perform beautifully and musically so that you can touch the hearts of your audience.

-Encouraging you to explore and enjoy a wide range of music.

-Helping you ... discover the art of loving to practice.

-Working with you in setting goals for your musical development.

-Helping you develop ongoing friendships with other musicians.

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Lesson Details

To ensure your success, we will be developing a partnership.

My goal is to make the work of learning to perform music fun. I provide positive feedback about your progress and clear instruction about how to develop the new skills and knowledge.

To get the most out of your learning experience, I will encourage you to incorporate a regular practice session of no less than 30 minutes into your day.

What to Expect:
First lesson:
Together we will:
• Review you or your ... child’s prior musical experience and discuss your goals.
• Listen to you sing or play a few simple songs and exercises.
• Review equipment and materials needed to get started.
• Discuss conditions for a suitable and comfortable practice space and establish a suitable practice schedule
• Learn a few simple exercises and a simple song to practice at home.
• I will provide you with a CD containing an MP3 recording of your lesson and written instructions.

My Teaching Style:
To help you develop a clear understanding:
• I demonstrate how to perform a new technique, encourage you to try it, and provide lots of positive feedback and encouragement.
• When you get the hang of it (and you will), I'l ask you to describe it to me.
• We will discuss specific ways to practice what you have learned at home.

Expectations:
At 3 to 6 months, at minimum, you can expect to:

Beginning singing:
• Understand basics of good posture, breathing, phonation and pronunciation,
• Sing simple English songs in tune and with with good rhythm, in the middle range of your voice.
• Read easy music with simple key signatures and rhythms.
• Listen to examples of artistic singing in your preferred style.

Intermediate singing:
• Understand basics of good posture, breathing, phonation, resonance and pronunciation.
• Sing more complex songs in English and Italian (if desired) with good rhythm and intonation, in all ranges of your voice.
• Develop an increased knowledge of musical phrasing.
• Read moderately complex music.
• Listen to examples of artistic singing in several styles.

Beginning cello:
• Know how to hold the cello and the bow and to produce a good tone,
• Know how to play by ear, simple familiar songs on open strings and in first position, in tune and with good rhythm.
• Read simple music in bass clef with simple key signatures and rhythms.
• Listen to recordings of well known cellists.

When you are ready, I will arrange for you to participate in local public performances in a nurturing environment, help you prepare to perform in local choirs and orchestras, and be successful in auditions and competitions.

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About

Because music speaks directly to the emotions, I have developed a learning environment that integrates both the emotional and thinking centers of your brain.

My large sunlit studio and teaching style are designed to make you or your child comfortable and lessons are designed to be supportive and helpful.

Through a wide variety of activities, I will provide you with the instruction and positive feedback you need to master the skills necessary for singing or playing the cello. ... However, I also believe I can be most helpful, if from the beginning, I show you how these skills work together to create a moving performance.

Learning requires repeated rehearsal. However, despite its bad reputation, practicing can be something you or your child looks forward to. During our lessons I will help you develop skills useful for assessing your at-home progress and giving yourself positive feedback. This will minimize your frustration by leading to immediate improvement.

I believe that every person has the ability to enjoy the profound experience of expressing themselves through music and I would take great joy in helping you learn the art of musical performance.

Biography

I fell in love with music as a child, playing great music in the cello section of the youth symphony. Throughout high school I delighted in singing with the choir and madrigal singers and in performances of Broadway plays.

While earning a bachelors degree and over 30 graduate units in music at California State University, Los Angeles, I enjoyed performing in the choirs, orchestra, and chamber music groups, and starring in opera productions. I was awarded “singer of the year and “madrigal singer of the year." For 20 years I served as a section leader and soloist for large churches in the Los Angeles area, performing great choral works and solo cantatas with professional orchestras.

Currently I continue to study singing and cello and am a leader and soloist in a large church choir, play in the American River College Orchestra and play and sing chamber music with other local musicians, performing locally several times a year (please see photos and audio clips of recent performances below).

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JoAnn's Photos

JoAnn's Audio Clips

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