Learn Opera voice with the
Best Teachers in LA

Southern California, Thornton School of Music and I have a Bachelors degree from Northern Arizona University. I also completed a teaching internship at the California Lutheran University.

My style of teaching is tailor made for each student because everyone has different goals and needs. I focus on making singing fun and painless while setting a strong technical foundation. My goal for the student is to take away technical issues so they can be musically expressive and show the world who they are.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am a laid back teacher. My hope is that students will feel improvement in their lessons and it will motivate them to practice. In my opinion, the lessons should be fun, educational, and safe.

My curriculum is based on the needs of the student. In general, I always begin with breathing techniques. Breathing is the foundation of singing and so I tend to spend some time trying to show the student the most efficient and most effortless technique. Then I move on to what I have learned from my own voice teacher, and I will teach the students what are called "vocal function exercises." These are a series of gentle warm ups that teach the student a combination of breath pressure, resonance, and eliminating physical tensions within the neck, chest, and back. Then I move on to incorporating these ideas into repertoire. I like to decide repertoire with the student based on their preferences and their skill level. Generally I like to give the student one classical piece in a foreign language and one musical theater piece, but this is not set in stone.
I hope that after a few months the student will have an understanding of breathing, beginning vocal technique, and some repertoire we have been working on.

All of this said, ultimately I do not hold students to my own expectations. I want them to learn at their own pace and not feel they need to be at a certain point after a certain amount of time.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Living Room. Keyboard. Seating for parents. Cats.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can provide sheet music and I expect the student to provide a keyboard or piano.

*** Specialties ***
I teach a method that is very simple and allows the student to express themselves musically and to have fun.

My expertise is Opera but I can teach all styles of singing.

Graff, and Maxayn Lewis (who has worked with Celine Dion and Britney Spears).

I am also currently the lead singer (also playing guitar & piano) for the band Hello Human. I've worked with amazing musicians including Michael Thompson (guitarist for Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera), and John Robinson (drummer for Quincy Jones, Elton John). I've also had the honor of working with Wyn Davis (producer of No Doubt, Sublime).

My vocal recordings/original songs are on television show The Young & The Restless (“Dreamers” June 11th episode 11449, “High Tops” June 6th episode 11447).

My vocal recordings/original songs are currently on KWAVE 107.9 and have been on Alcoa Tennessee'™s Love 89.1, Refuge, CSN, WCTL, and on hundreds of other radio stations.

*** Lesson Details ***
I divide my class into 4 parts: 1.Scales/Chords/Arpeggios/Warm-ups 2.Sight-Reading 3.Theory 4.Improvisation. Depending on the instrument of your choice, and also what your specific goals are, each of these parts are customized. You will learn quickly.

*** Studio Equipment ***
A weighted 88 keyboard is used. Free parking on street and lot.

*** Specialties ***
My emphasis was voice (Tenor) at Vanguard University. I am classically trained and trained in Rock/Pop. Violin was my first instrument, then I learned guitar and piano in college. I've done many professional recordings and performances throughout my career.

the lesson, we start with simple warm ups and vocalizes and then apply techniques to the songs you want to sing. I realize each student is different and I customize the lesson to the student's particular needs. I specialize in classical and music theater, however the basics of singing apply to all styles of music. In addition to working on breathing and technique for singing, we'll also focus on interpretation of the songs you are working on as well as how to overcome performance nervousness. Most students find that they are able to sing with more freedom, less tension and will have more confidence as they progress.

I also teach beginning piano, using the John W. Schaum series.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons in the main room, upright piano

*** Travel Equipment ***
They need to provide a piano or keyboard if I am going to their home.
I have a piano in my home.

*** Specialties ***
I work on using the breath as a fundamental technique for singing. Singing should never hurt. I use a lot of imagery to achieve freedom in singing.

ssons, you will learn how to expand your range, perform on stage, and how to take care of your voice. If you are taking piano lessons, you will learn how to read notes, learn basic music theory, and learn how to read chord charts. You will advance quickly and I expect to see you performing in less than six months. If you work hard and apply yourself to practice, there is no end to what you can accomplish!

*** Travel Equipment ***
Music for singing, and piano. They must have a piano or keyboard to practice.

and eager to learn more.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Living room with an upright piano and seating for parents or companions

*** Travel Equipment ***

*** Specialties ***
Pop Music, Broadway, Classical, Rock, Jazz, Gospel, Contemporary to World Music

ons with a great warm up. Fun vocal exercises and technique. I love working on new songs with students.

Piano begins with finger warm ups and games. We work fast! Get ready :)

Acting and reading and english has lots of reading aloud in addition to body warm ups and tongue twisters.

*** Studio Equipment ***
portable keyboard and player. I also bring my computer

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide a keyboard and player for tracks. I expect my students to provide music books and cd's to work with. Also, if possible a recording device to record lessons for practicing reasons.

*** Specialties ***
As a teacher, I specialize in musical theater and classical voice. The method that I use as a vocal instructor is the bel canto method. As an acting teacher I primarily work with the Meisner technique and focus on action, reaction and imagination!

ren's lives in all areas and seeks to cultivate that within the child.

Adults also find it easy to learn from Carmen's teaching approach. Her ability to approach a students challenges with a multitude of learning techniques has been useful in helping students succeed. She teaches skills and techniques for practicing that are useful for musicians through out their lifetime. Carmen also knows exactly what it takes to make a student a professional who is ready for studio session work, live band performances, live improvisations, auditions or creating their own music. She understands the desire and drive behind wanting to create with music and emphasizes certain key aspects that can make musicians proficient in any genre when practiced

Education

Carmen comes from a long family lineage of musicians and artists. Always being exposed to classical music and opera since birth, Carmen was in awe of the power of the human voice through opera. At 8 she began to study the art form and teach herself music. She started studying with teachers at age 11. After learning voice, piano and cello followed. While studying classical techniques, she also taught herself other genres of music which enabled her to play, record and perform with musicians of almost every genre by 19.

Carmen has been taught and trained by many professional working musicians of impressive musical carrer heights Her former opera/ vocal coach Shonie Lebie attended The Julliard School on a full scholarship before going on to The Metropolitan Opera House. Piano teacher Shoshana Ben Horin, a graduate of Prague Conservatory of Music and concert pianist, toured all of Europe before instructing Carmen in piano. Carmen has learned cello and other string instruments from professional working musicians here in Los Angeles.

Experience

Carmen is a current working session musician, songwriter and performer in Los Angeles. She has performed and recorded with musicians from The Gap Band, Guns n' Roses, Whitney Houston, Vanessa Hudgens, Hayden Panettiere, etc. She was born and raised in Los Angeles.

*** Lesson Details ***
I customize EVERY lesson for EVERY student (Beginner or Advanced) whether playing in for fun, preparing for a show or wanting to become a professional musician, I can help you reach it.

For piano I can teach you the classical method, Suzuki or methods toward the genre you enjoy playing. You'll learn Ear Training, Rhythm, Theory/ Chords, Sight Reading, Improvisation, Repertoire and a little songwriting.

For strings I focus mostly using the Suzuki Method/ Classical Repertoire or Hal Leonard curriculum. If you seek to learn rock, jazz or blues I have customized learning technique depending on your level. You'll learn bowing techniques, Ear training, Sigh Reading for multiple Clefs, Orchestration, and of course theory and repertoire

For singing I customize the lesson toward Genre Performance preference of the student to maximize your time and productivity. Covering Breath/Phrasing, Projection, Tone Improvement, Diction, Microphone technique, Sight Reading, Proper vocal warm-ups/ Maintenance and Repertoire

*** Specialties ***
Opera, pop, rock, r&b, blue, jazz, alternative rock, string instrument improvisation, free form, variations of short hand lead sheets (how to play along with a band at gig nights), piano chord structures & progressions, singing with band accompaniment, children's music

ults, we use Adult Piano Adventures. I also recommend purchasing a scale/technique book and a theory book.

For singers, please bring a recording device (phone is ok) so that you may later practice the exercises which we learn in the lesson.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a Baldwin grand piano as well as an electronic piano in my studio. For budding pianists, I offer instruction with Piano Marvel software.

ng a singers genetic abilities, I teach my students how to get a beautiful balance between air and muscle to create a resonance that a singer can grow a wide range and build strength on without having any breaks in their voice.

wide variety of contexts ranging from opera, choral, musical theater, jazz, and R&B/pop. I have over 15 years of experience performing, and over 5 years of experience teaching voice. My diverse array of artistic experiences allows me to be flexible and sensitive to the specific needs of my students.

Singing is ultimately a form of artistic expression and release. The end goal of all the technical training is to create an artistic moment for both you and the audience. When you begin the journey of discovering your own unique voice, you will also begin a deeper journey with yourself. Singing has brought me so much joy in my own life and I look forward to sharing that joy with you!