Waddell, AZ Classical Voice Lessons

nd performance art and improvisational acting at East Carolina University in North Carolina, and appearing in shows and pageants across the east coast, I found my life's work in 2003 when I began teaching music.

I've taught hundreds of different students since 2003 with great success, from 5-year-olds with special needs to middle-aged professional opera singers, from a professor in Saudi Arabia to a 65-year-old doctor of music, from kids of Radio Disney to students of the famed Actors Studio in New York, from busy stay-at-home parents to retirees with bucket lists, from CEOs to touring singer-songwriters.

I've created and led a workshop about singing called, "The Whole Body Singer". I've written dozens of articles about music and music education for the blog at TakeLessons.com.

My extensive knowledge of the voice has encouraged and empowered hundreds of singers and prepared many of them to win competitions, pageants and auditions, as well as roles in operas and musicals, including lead roles in Limelight Theater and Curtis Camp productions. When a student comes to me in need of voice coaching, my job is to get to the root of mental blocks, to reveal why and how she's not singing at her optimum.

Before I received formal training at a conservatory, I learned piano on my own, and both have prepared me to teach almost anyone, with any experience, how to play.

The intensive training and education that I received at Westminster Choir College in songwriting, music theory and sight reading has benefited my students at every level.

My current work as singer and keyboardist in the acoustic folk rock duo, Timberwood, has strengthened my knowledge of a broad range of styles and genres. As a lifelong learner, I have a strong commitment to continuing my education. That's why I studied songwriting online with the Berklee College of Music in Boston in 2014.

In the lessons that I teach, I'm flexible, positive and encouraging. While I want my students to have fun and love music, not dread it, I expect hard work and persistence. I am caring, patient, nurturing, and compassionate.
In piano lessons, I usually allow the student to choose a piece with which to warm up and then move on to technique and repertoire.
In voice lessons, I usually warm up the singer and discuss technique and sight singing before focusing on song choices. Joan Frey Boytim wrote a book for voice that I like to use, and I like the Estelle Liebling exercises for the more advanced singer. Hanon exercises are a big part of my piano curriculum, and I enjoy the Bastien and Alfred books for young and old. I have used completely random songs pulled out of a piano bench and a karaoke CD for kids. I will use almost anything I can get my hands on if it means effectively teaching music.

Acting lessons consist of exercises and games that apply learned concepts, with an emphasis on stage acting and Meisner technique, as well as monologue and audition coaching.

Currently, I have only online availability for guitar students.
Students under the age of twelve will use the Alfred Guitar Book for Kids. All other students will start with the Hal Leonard Guitar Method.

Parents, siblings and spouses are always welcome to observe lessons quietly.

r creativity.

Backed by an extensive musical background debuting with the Philadelphia Orchestra and continuing her career singing with Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic, Jan L. went on to receive a Bachelor’s of Education in Opera at Temple University and two Master’s Degrees from Combs College of Music in Theatre Arts and Composition.

Jan is the author of the performance book called "Once More With Feeling."

There is exciting news with Jan. Jan has been teaching online on Zoom.us. It's like Skype but better because you can record the whole lesson. For those of you who want a world class teacher, you can learn from Jan who has 20 Grammy winners. No driving, Just sit yourself in front of your computer screen. You will love the intimacy without leaving your home. Give it a try.

Jan teaches vocal technique that connects the chest middle head voice with a gospel belt. Jan covers proper breathing, vocal technique, performance coaching and recording in her protools studio.

"Jan L. is an award winning songwriter, producer, actress, and artist developer. Her studio, Angel Diva Music, is designed to improve artist abilities on and off the stage as well as giving the clientele first-hand knowledge of the industry while increasing their creativity."

Writer of performance book called "Once More With Feeling:

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 or grand 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!

and have performed with many of the area’s opera companies, such as Pocket Opera and Island City Opera.

Education is important to me, and although I have my Master of Music in voice teaching and performance, I often attend workshops, trainings, and other continuing education programs so that my students can receive the best training I can offer.

I am a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).

help with that,too. Are you feeling more confident, and want to focus more on song polishing and getting into the heart of your songs? Let's do it! Confidence an issue? I am a pro with very shy people. I'll get you out of your shell, relaxed, and having fun right away so we can free that voice of yours! I have worked with many singers who have been diagnosed with anxiety: you're in good hands and you can trust me with your voice.

I am also a drama teacher who has worked with groups as well as individuals. I love working with beginning acting students! I'll assist with monologue prep, improvisation, voice for the stage, body awareness, and more. I love being on stage and want you to see how fun it is to jump in and let go,too!

I am a constant student in the world of theatre. I am currently taking many courses with the Drama Teacher Academy, and just received a certificate for monologue work ! Currently studying more improv and musical theatre techniques. I want my students to have as many skills as possible, no matter where their love for theatre or music takes them.

If you're interested in beginner ear training or music theory, I'd love to help you with that as well. I present it in a no-nonsense and fun manner! I'll provide you with simple worksheets to increase your confidence in learning the language of music, as well as run you through increasingly challenging patterns and sight reading for the ear training. Don't be afraid: I make it easy and customize it all. I used to be scared of theory,too- so I know what works!

I have been singing for over 20 years. Performances with the Lira Ensemble and Opera on Tap Chicago, and in master classes with international opera stars Alan Held and Lorna Haywood. Coaching with Collaborative Works Chicago and Rossini Opera Festival. Additional studies in Rock Vocals, Voice Care, Improvisational Comedy, Holistic Voice, Acting, Foreign languages, Dalcroze, Speaking Voice for Singers, , Commercial Vocal Styles/Belting with Lisa Popeil, teacher mentoring workshop with Maestro David Jones. Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. Additional workshops in Vocal Pedagogy with David Sabella-Mills, Dr. Karen Prokop, Melissa Cross (the queen of healthy scream technique!), Sheri Sanders Rock the Audition training), and Chicago Cabaret Professionals.

Certified CoreSinging Instructor- one of only a few in the U.S. trained by Meribeth Dayme, PhD, respected clinician and authority in vocal pedagogy and author of "The Singing Book".

Completed John Henny's New Science of Singing course as well as Nate Plummer's Musical Theater Coaching course. Currently taking Dr. Shannon Coates' "Vocal Instrument 101". I'm a student, too, and want to better serve my students by constant study.

My students do a variety of great things! One was a top 12 "American Idol" finalist. Current students perform in musicals, top rated choirs, and professional rock , jazz,and blues bands. Many have won awards for their singing at competitions such as NATS. Students of mine have also been accepted to prestigious performing arts high schools for both drama and music, as well as undergraduate music programs in the US and Europe.

Proud member of NATS and the Speakeasy Cooperative, a professional group of independent voice teachers.

I think if you can speak, you can sing. Everyone can and should sing! Don't let anything hold you back. I am a people person that is very passionate about music and singing, and want to be the teacher you'll trust with your voice. Come laugh and learn with me!

*** Lesson Details ***
I teach in person (Northwest Suburbs of Chicago) and online via Zoom, FaceTime or TakeLessons Classroom, of course!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Sing and See Software. Additional materials I use: Funky n' Fun Vocal Exercises, Estelle Liebling Vocal Methods, Bona and Dannhauser for sight-reading, Full Voice workbooks for young and serious singers!

*** Specialties ***
Beginner vocalists! Very shy singers. Children, teens. Lapsed singers, and seniors. Experience in working with those with learning disabilities , special needs, and victims of abuse. Have also worked with the LGBTQ community and studied with experts in transgender voice .I also love to give workshops!

orida, as well as toured Europe with the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp Youth Choir. He is an active member in the National Association of Teachers of Singing(NATS), and a regular adjudicator in the Great Lakes Region.

I believe that all people are singers; singing and music are the most natural human forms. Every student is unique, and every voice is as unique as a fingerprint; that is why every student and lesson is approached with the individual needs and goals in mind.

lessons my most favorite part is when the student finally understands and their gift is what it was meant to be. I love people and will always do my best to encourage positively. I look forward to meeting with you and discussing your goals.