Top Singing & Voice Lessons in Surprise, AZ

Karen has had training in many instruments, she has had the most training in voice.

As an adult, Karen has sung extensively in church choirs, women's ensembles, and has been a featured vocal soloist at church services, Christian retreats, and women's ministry events. She was extensively involved in vocal music at Grace Community Christian Church, where she was the singer and guitarist leading and teaching songs to women Bible study groups, preschoolers at vacation Bible school, and Kids Praise Club for elementary aged children. For Kids Praise Club, she also taught the children the choreography for the performances. Presently, Karen is a Choir Director for the K-6 Choristers group at First Presbyterian Church (FPC) in Mesa, AZ., and also taught singing and choreography to the children at VBS at FPC. Karen also had a main roles as Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man in April of 2013, and Mrs. Bucket in Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in April, 2014, The Jailer's Daughter in Wind in the Willows, and Mrs. Brill in Mary Poppins, Mrs. Darling and a Pirate in Peter Pan, performed by the First Players at FPC. Additionally. Karen is presently a substitute elementary school and music teacher at Grace Christian Academy, Bethany Christian School, and teaches General Music K-12 at Young Disciples Christian Academy part-time.

During Karen's college career, she was a voice major at Mesa Community College (MCC) and Grand Canyon University (GCU). At MCC, she performed in the Sun Valley Chorale (SVC) and Cadence women vocal jazz ensemble. SVC performed classical songs at the Mesa Arts Center, and Cadence performed jazz songs for MCC events. Karen was also involved in musical theater at MCC. Karen was an opera singer at Night at the Opera, and a Broadway singer at Broadway Bound, both at MCC. At GCU, Karen has been in the President Singers, Canyon Singers, Canyon Chorale, and Union Choirs. Canyon Singers were the honor students and ambassadors for GCU who traveled locally and out of state to recruit students for GCU. As a voice major, Karen has had 9 semesters (4 ½ years) of private voice instruction under the tuteladge of Dr. Cathy Hauan at MCC, and Dr. Sheila Corley at GCU. Karen has three degrees from GCU: A Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a Minor in Music, a Master's of Education in Reading and Curriculum, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. Music is Karens passion and she desires to teach it to all ages and stages of people. Music is the universal language and creates joy and healing in the soul.

Presently, Karen owns her own home music studio called Starshine School of Music in which she teaches piano, voice, and guitar. Karen also teaches Take Lessons music students (an online music student placement company) piano, voice, and guitar in her home. Karen is also an active Mary Kay Consultant.

*** Lesson Details ***
Karen's teaching style is very patient, nurturing, encouraging, and fun-loving. Karen is a teacher who sets loving but firm boundaries and guidelines. She implements structure and organization, but is not overly strict and harsh. She believes in encouraging, loving, and imparting knowledge with her students so that they will maximize their potentiality and their inner musical stars will shine.
Karen teaches piano, voice, guitar, and music theory for beginning through intermediate (for voice she teaches beginning through advanced). The curriculum that Karen uses is varied according to the student's personality and learning level. She uses her vast knowledge and information from her education and past experiences, and also Alfred Essentials of Music Theory, Alfred's Instructional books, Hal Leonard Pro-vocal Series, Faber Piano Adventures for all levels, and other resources. She also uses an assignment lesson plan book so that each student will know her clear objectives, what is expected of them and so that communication is established with the student's parents if the student is under 18. Additionally, Karen uses incentives, a point system, and rewards for self-discipline, consistent practicing, musical accomplishment and growth, and a good attitude.
Karen's students learn and perform remarkably well because of her very loving, organized, and comprehensive teaching style. They progress in amazing ways on a weekly and monthly basis. They look forward to coming to their lessons because they are treated with such respect and care. They know that Karen has such a passion and love for music, which is so contagious and is passed on to them. Therefore, these music lessons are enjoyable and enriching for the teacher and student alike.

*** I have a current Fingerprint Clearance Card

*** Studio Equipment ***
Guitar, Kimball piano, CD and cassette players, extensive music literature, Demo and Karaoke CD's.

*** Specialties ***
I have been classically trained as a voice major at college level. However, I have had so much musical experience (singing, and playing guitar and piano) in varied genres including rock and roll, Broadway and theatrical music, country western, Christian contemporary, folk songs, and children's music. I am very familiar with all kinds of music.

mputers with recording software.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Keyboard, practice amp, and/or instrument cords. I expect the student to provide his/her own instrument, and prefer they have an amplifier for electric instruments.

*** Specialties ***
I teach in all genres, but have experience in rock, alternative, pop, jazz, and even music theater.

y expertise and passion for music with private voice and piano students. My approach is that music should be fun and satisfying. I want students to have the enjoyment of accomplishing great things, and build on their natural abilities and love of music. I look forward to meeting you, and seeing where your musical talents can take you!

*** Lesson Details ***
Each voice lesson begins with a warm up: movement:, stretches, breathing, and relaxation while focusing on good posture. Following that we continue warming up the voice with appropriate vocal exercises. If desired, we can spend time sight singing (reading music). Then we will turn to your chosen piece(s) of music. You could bring in a song or aria of your interest, or I could suggest pieces that I feel suit your voice. Some areas that I like to focus on in are relaxation, posture, breathing, support, use of registers, placement, growing your voice in size and range, intonation (pitch), tone color, clarity and consistency. My ultimate goal is to help students sing with musicality and expressiveness.

For piano, we may begin by working on things like hand position, posture, relaxation of the body and then exercises, including scales and chords. We may also incorporate music theory.
After a warm-up, we will focus on chosen music. I like to use music literature that is appropriate to the student's level, which gives enjoyment, and also increases breadth of knowledge and expertise. For beginning students, there are many good series available that I like to use, such as Bastian or Alfred.

Its very important that students feel comfortable in their lessons. I am sensitive, flexible and open to individual likes and dislikes, and any thoughts or concerns you have. These are your lessons and I am committed to helping you get the most out of them!

*** Studio Equipment ***
lessons in large living room with upright piano, mirrors; space for parents to sit/wait; repertoire

*** Specialties ***
Opera, classical, musical theater

d perform with ease.

Performance anxiety can be overcome. Using the tools that Ginni has developed, students relax, focus and enjoy their performing experience.

Reading music is important for pianists and singers. Ginni helps beginning through advanced students to more fully understand written music and quickly sight read it.

It’s important to perform songs that you enjoy. Students help choose supplemental songs that they love whether that be contemporary pop, traditional classical, Broadway, jazz, country or any other genre that they would like to learn.

Ginni’s piano and singing students increase their range, power, agility, control, confidence and expressiveness through technical exercises, scales, arpeggios, applying technique and lots of encouragement! Students grow the more that they share their talents. Students of Ginni’s are invited to participate in recitals, the Arizona Study Program and are guided through auditions, solo and ensemble performances.

Ginni uses the latest technology to help her students, whether by finding a song online for a student to listen to and learn from, transposing a piece on keyboard, improving the sound of an iphone song by plugging it into a speaker system or by using a mic to learn microphone technique.

A century old stand up piano may not be cutting edge technology but, Ginni’s sounds beautiful and her students enjoy playing it. Music is such a gift. So is participating in and watching the growth and progression of others.

Ginni asks her students to remember three things:
Try, Relax and Have Fun!

the voice through proper, healthy technique will be challenging but should also be enjoyable.

I am also now offering private piano lessons which I've taught off and on since 2004. My own lessons spanned the four years between eight and twelve and then a year at Belmont University, where I passed piano proficiency as an entering freshman and was able to take privately with a professor trained at Julliard. My theory work from both my undergrad and graduate schooling will allow me to more adequately teach that side of piano performance and I am excited to add piano lessons to what I offer.