Private lessons with top Singing instructors near Avon, CT

I have sung and taught gospel for over 20 years. My parents are pastors and I have worked with several pastors on improving their music departments so I am intimately aware on how to increase your stage presence, awareness and proficiency.

As a professional teaching artist and vocal coach, I have been helping students of all ages and abilities find their voice for over 20 years. My goal is simple: to give you singing lessons that will change your life forever. You can uncover your voice, build unshakable confidence and have fun while learning techniques professional singers take onto the stage and into the studio. And, you can have a great time doing it!

Develop Technique & Creativity

Learning or perfecting skills can often feel intimidating and challenging at times. In each personalized lesson, it is my goal that you feel encouraged and appreciated for the unique singer or learner you are. I will give you the tools you need to become a confident and composed performer and to reach your goals as a student. I will provide fun and interactive exercises that help you master the basics of breath, posture, tone, diction, and the foundations of musicianship. Students will learn how to prepare a song and how to present a song in dramatic and interpretive form. Students will learn how to prepare for auditions and competitions (choral, solo, theatre role, etc.), and how to overcome stage fright and other challenges that are unique to live performance. I use a variety of teaching tools such as physical movement, imagery, and visual aids. I specialize in classical singing, musical theatre, and the jazz/blues sound. My goal is for you to enjoy singing and to meet your goals, whether you want to just sing at home for your family or land a leading role in a musical!

Kindness and understanding are the foundations of a successful student-teacher relationship. I believe in building students up so they can see how innately gifted they truly are; there is no such thing as a person who “can't sing.” I teach students of all ages and with all kinds of musical backgrounds. My studio is a place for patient, supportive growth: you should expect to work hard and have fun at the same time. If you choose to take voice lessons with me, we will spend your first lesson exploring your skill level as a singer, determining your musical interests, and reviewing or learning the basics of vocal technique. My goal is to help you grow as a musician by giving you the tools you need to sing music from any genre with confidence. As we continue our work together, you will develop or refine excellent breath control, consistent, beautiful sound production throughout registers, and an understanding of what healthy vocal technique is and why it matters. We will also spend lesson time practicing ear-training, sight-reading and music theory as they apply to the songs we are working on together. In addition to regular voice lessons, I offer coaching for singers who have upcoming competitions, auditions or other performances. Vocalists who work with me as they prepare for these events often go on to land their preferred roles and win their competitions. Whether you need guidance in repertoire selection, diction, or help with a few tricky passages, I am available to assist you as you prepare for your singing event. *2022 Update*: In order to give students/performers the best chance of success, I require a minimum of three booked sessions over a period of at least three weeks before the audition or competition is set to take place. My open-communication policy as an educator enables me to answer questions and provide additional resources, including customized warm-ups, outside of regular lesson time. I also maintain flexible scheduling for all of my students: studying singing is a fun challenge, but lessons should never be a source of stress. I am always happy to work with you to accommodate your schedule. Background: I am a classically-trained lyric soprano with over seventeen years of vocal education. I studied with PhD and MA professors of voice at universities in Kansas and Washington State. I also have many years of experience as a performer at a variety of venues across the country: my background includes solo concert work, lead and supporting roles in opera and theater productions, and event performances and competitions. I taught voice and beginning piano lessons, often on a volunteer basis, to students part-time from 2006 to 2012. I now teach voice lessons and provide coaching full-time. Students can study with me online or in-person at my studio.

Choose a schedule that works for you and learn how to find YOUR voice today! Whether you're a casual beginner or an aspiring professional, I can help you strengthen, control, and maintain your voice. Each private singing lesson will be comprised of both technique as well as application in order to help you better understand vocal concepts.

"My main goal for you is to help you strengthen and protect your voice while giving you the confidence to take your singing to the next level - and from there? - consistently progress. I will help you achieve control and artistry and give you the tools to reach your particular vocal goals. I can help you with all your vocal and music needs, from beginner through professional levels and cover a wide range of technique and performance coaching : vocal technique, performance coaching, warm-ups, sight-reading, solfege, ear training, music theory, pitch control, breath control, phrasing, dynamics, active listening, diaphragm support, tone creation, sound placement, blending registers, break elimination, song interpretation, vocal performance, repertoire, medleys & mash-ups, harmonizing, back-up singing, improv & scat, scales & runs, falsetto & head voice, range expansion, stamina & agility, stage presence, vocal health, acting for singers, songwriting, arranging, recording, production, overdubs & tracking, all genres - all ages " A highly sort-after vocal coach, many of Nina’s current & former students have attained professional & academic success -NYSSMA & NAfME All County / All State Choirs, University Degrees, Professional auditions. They range from a Portugul pop star, to Bollywood singers, a Metropolitan Opera singer, multiple Broadway cast members, Metropolitan Opera Children’s Choir singers, and many professional performing & recording jazz, rock, pop, country, blues, gospel, classical & variety, even a few rap, artists. An Associate Coach & protégé of legendary multi-Grammy & Tony winners’ vocal coach, Katie Agresta, Nina holds a BFA in Jazz & Contemporary Music & Voice from The New School University. Nina is a Billboard Award and multiple Song of the Year Awards winner. Nina studied Opera with Prof. Kathleen Blix and Jazz with Dr. Dave LaLama at Hofstra University as well as all classical and contemporary genres, songwriting & production with Billboard award winner Elisa Hale, & Grammy winners Harry Whitaker & Bob Stander.

Vocal or Voice Training focuses on finding the sound (vocal timbre) and learning how to navigate more efficiently through the vocal passaggio (bridge). I am a vocal sound technician, helping singers and speakers learn easier, more accurate pitch placement. Vocal training builds the foundations of more relaxed breath support, deepens your understanding of your vocal instrument and provides tools to help optimize your vocal sound production. I use multifaceted exercises to help you find and feel the difference in sound immediately, and we follow-up by with learning daily exercise protocols that help develop the muscular structure to create an easily sustainable vocal resonance. * Broaden vocal tone tone * Cultivate calm energy * Feel better about your voice My teaching style is infused with the knowledge that students of voice must be treated with great care and encouragement. My training includes 12 years of one-on-one training in apprenticeship for the field. Let me help you release your authentic voice!