Crystal Beach, FL Opera Voice Lessons

d orchestras in the public schools. I also have experience playing and teaching saxophone. As for method books, I use "The Sight Singer" to help vocalists with learning to read music. On saxophone, I have my students use the "Standard of Excellence" and "Rubank" method books. For violinists, I use "Essential Elements for Strings." For all students, vocalists, saxophonists, pianists, and violinists, I specialize in helping students prepare for solo and ensemble competitions as well as any other type of formal performance or assessment. I also specialize in music theory coaching whether it's for the A.P. Music Theory Exam, All State Exam, or just a need for general music knowledge.

tion of "Figaro90210!", and Musetta in Wichita Grand Opera's "La Boheme". Previous seasons have seen Julia as Berenice in Little Opera Theatre of NY's "L'occasione fa il ladro", Lydia Larkspur in the NY Premiere of "The Rivals" with Bronx Opera, Violetta in "La Traviata" with the Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra and Helena in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" with Opera Naples. Other recent performances include Lauretta (Gianni Schicch) with Opera Experience Southeast, Tormentilla (The Poisoned Kiss) with Bronx Opera, Magnolia Hawks (Showboat) with Opera Naples, Donna Anna (Don Giovanni) with Cape Cod Opera, Fiordiligi (Cosi­ fan tutte), Antonia (Les Contes d'Hoffmann), Adina (L'elisir d'amore), and Gilda (Rigoletto) with Tri-Cities Opera in Binghamton, NY.

Julia is the Grand Prize Winner of the Jenny Lind Competition, Connecticut Concert Opera Competition, The Marcella Kochanska Sembrich Competition, and 5 Towns Music and Art Foundation Competition, 2nd prize winner of the Kosciuszko Foundation Competition and the National Federation of Music Clubs Biennial Young Artist Awards, as well as a grant recipient from CareerBridges Foundation.

*** Lesson Details ***
What happens in a Lesson? In order to train your physical voice, it is necessary to do vocal exercises, in the same way that one needs to train at a gym. There is no "magic key" to unlock one's voice; it is a matter of daily practice and muscle strengthening/stretching. So, the first part of the lesson will be focused on vocal exercises specifically tailored to YOUR VOICE and its needs. The second half of the lesson is the fun part- SINGING! We will work on any songs and styles that YOU choose. Whether you want to sing Rock, Country, Pop, Musical Theater, or Classical, there is a healthy and communicative way to sing!

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide a keyboard. The student should provide a recording device, iPhone, etc.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in Classical and Broadway style singing, but have extensive experience in Contemporary Commercial Music as well. I teach a healthy approach to all styles, and modify technical approaches towards the genre that the student is most interested in.

I understand the frustration that comes from wanting to sing without tension or feeling restricted in range or ability. I spent years feeling unsure about my vocal abilities until I learned how to develop a truly solid vocal foundation. I can teach you the tools that I continue to use for my own singing today.

I lived and breathed music and singing throughout my childhood, and I continue to today. I have over fifteen years of classical music training and performance experience. I attended California State University Northridge where I studied classical voice, art song, and opera performance. Since attaining my Bachelor of Music in Vocal Arts I have performed opera and musical theatre professionally across Los Angeles. I have since left opera performance to focus on my true musical passions: pop, R&B, jazz, musical theatre, and teaching.

**Lesson Details**
I tailor my teaching to each student's needs and desires. I teach all levels of singing, child to adult, beginner to advanced. If you are a beginner, I will quickly help you understand and access your instrument. If you are a more experienced singer, I will help you identify your opportunities for growth and we start from there. I focus on releasing tension and building a strong core foundation. You will learn how to develop consistent breath control, expand your range, and grow your voice into a powerful and beautiful sound! **Please note: I am not a trained pianist or accompanist. I focus on vocal technique, vocal production, and vocal expression. I do not accompany my students on the piano when we work on songs/repertoire.**

**Studio Equipment**
Piano
Acoustic guitar
Music stand
ZoomH2 microphone and recording device
Access to a wide selection of popular, classical, and musical theatre sheet music

**Specialties**
I teach the same technique for all styles of singing - pop, R&B, jazz, gospel, musical theatre, and classical. I help my students make minor changes for each style, but the core foundational technique remains the same. I specialize in breath support, vocal chord closure, range expansion, vocal register negotiation, body alignment, relieving tension, healthy belting, emotional support, and acting for singers.

g chords to follow most any style. I also enjoy teaching some music theory (the rules of music) in written, sight singing, and piano chords, if requested. Music theory along with voice and instrument lessons can provide a further understanding of each musical concept.

My training first began in elementary school, in Virginia Beach, VA, when I took my first group voice lessons and concert band classes as a beginning flutist. I continued my study with a large home school band in the 7th grade. I was then chosen to play the flute in an All City Band in Virginia Beach, for excellence in my performance skills. From there I continued my study at a private school in Virginia Beach with many chorus, band, and youth band classes to further my music reading and improvisational performance skills. At age eighteen I moved to Tampa, FL and became a Liberal Arts major with a concentration in Music at Hillsborough Community College (HCC). I graduated from HCC with an AA in Liberal Arts/Music. I was then accepted to further my music study at the University of South Florida (USF). I studied voice and a sampling of other instruments in the Music Education program. I graduated with two and one-half years of music education training and another four years of voice training with a BA in Music Studies. Also, during my college years I participated in the elite USF Chamber Singers, the University Singers, the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, and many studio recitals. 

In 2013 I completed my fourth year of music teaching in a small private school in Tampa, FL. I have sang with Opera Tampa since their 2012-2013 season in the professional opera chorus for productions such as Carmen, The Magic Flute, and Madame Butterfly. I have continued to add new performance jobs with The Princeton Festival in Princeton, NJ (2014), St. Petersburg Opera in St Pete, FL , and the Tampa Spiritual Ensemble performing in the surrounding Tampa Bay areas. In addition, I continue my studies part time at the Patel Conservatory in downtown Tampa.  

I look forward to working with you to make all your music dreams come true! So, let's make beautiful music together very soon!  

*** Lesson Details ***
When taking lessons with me you can expect to learn in a very positive, encouraging, and laid back environment! I believe that learning is fun, very rewarding, and never stops. I plan to continue learning more about my craft for the rest of my life and I would encourage my students of all ages to adopt this mentality also. 

For voice lessons I like to begin with warm-ups and breathing exercises that can be modified to any style of songs. Then to song selections that will be enjoyable, yet helpful in making your voice better. For opera style I primarily use the G. Schirmer Opera Anthology books, and Hal Leonard published anthology series' for different art songs. For all other vocal styles I enjoy using various published individual-song sheet music or CDs and accompaniment tracks. Along the way giving all applicable tips for producing better sound, projection, breathing, phrasing, and musicality.

For flute lessons I would begin with scales or simple exercises. Then to specific pieces that you would want to work on or techniques from the Accent on Achievement or Standards of Excellence book series'.

For piano lessons I would begin with finger stretches, scale warm-ups and/or easy chords or pieces to get the fingers ready to practice. Then I would progress to your chosen pieces or a book from the Alfred or Bastien Piano Book series', which includes books for all levels and styles. 

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide a keyboard for demos and use for students, a flute for demos, CDs, and some lesson books.

*** Specialties ***
Vocal: Up to advanced level Classical, Jazz, Musical Theatre, R&B, Pop, Gospel, Sight-reading
Flute: Up to Intermediate level Classical, Sight-reading
Piano: Beginner & Intermediate levels Classical, Chord Theory, Sight-reading

Musical Theatre, Jazz, Folk, Classical, Pop

the musician inside and feel a passion for music!

person and even online). I try to help singers to find their right voice and to understand the vocal projection.
I am very glad to help as much as I can to anyone who loves singing and would love to have help from a Classic singer.

p your full and real voice using your whole body, not just your head and 'mask'.
There's just ONE technique for all singing styles. You can sing anything and sound great and big, even without the microphone. I'll help you to reach that goal.

ch’s Orpheus in the Underworld, the title role of Barab’s Little Red Riding Hood, and the title role of Gounod’s Mireille.  As a performer of new music, Melody has premiered Art Songs by Zixiang Zhao and The Growing Night by Matthew Anderson. 
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Melody earned her Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from The Hartt School, University of Hartford, (formerly known as “The Hartt School of Music”).