Holiday, FL Opera Voice Lessons

entele established. I love to sing all different styles and I'd love to help you find your style and help discover your passions.

My passion for music started for me as a young child. I grew up in a musically inclined family, and was inspired and motivated by family members to use my gifts and talents to educate students about the world of music. My immense love for children, coupled with my educational experiences and my passion for music qualify me as a fun and exciting teacher.

I am huge lover of Barbershop/Sweet Adeline music and I recently competed in the International Young Women in Harmony Quartet Contest in Nashville, TN. My quartet, Vogue, won the competition. The Young Women in Harmony contest is for girls 25 years old and younger. I recently sang with a quartet called, Dolce. We competed in two International Competitions in Denver and Hawaii and placed 10th and 15th in the world. I was also a member of the International Gold Medalist Chorus, Harborlites, which is comprised of 180 female singers.

"Music isn't just learning notes and playing them, You learn notes to play to the music of your soul." - Katie Greenwood

*** Lesson Details ***
My lessons will be educational and fun. I want to find your passions and interests and from there I will create lesson plans to enhance your learning experience in your specified concentration. Voice lessons will start with vocal warm ups and exercises and then we will proceed to work on vocal techniques and preferred repertoire. During the lessons we will create goals and work on those goals so you become a successful musician.

I am a very patient and caring teacher and I am able to create the lessons to your style and needs. Music is fun and I want to make it that way for you!

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a full keyboard.

*** Specialties ***
I studied music education in college with a vocal emphasis. I am classically trained but studied jazz as well. I also am a member of an internationally ranked barbershop chorus and quartet. I specialize in singing bass and lead in barbershop.

my lesson plan to each students goals, experience, and age. I believe that there is no one way to teach or one way to learn. Trying numerous exercises and coming up with creative ways to help students assimilate new material and concepts is a core part of my teaching philosophy. Above all learning should be fun and exciting. I will do my best to create a safe open atmosphere where a student of any age level can succeed in achieving their learning goals.

Musical Theatre is my passion and my forte, however in order to teach singing or acting proper technique must be established.

*** Studio Equipment ***
living area open space seating for parents, Keyboard

*** Specialties ***
Musical Theatre, Shakespeare,

d with a real sense of confidence in their musicianship. Plus they have a lot of fun as they make musical progress!

Gfire is also an award-winning singer-songwriter and "Yoga for the Voice" innovator. She has released 4 CDs of all-original music and is currently working on her 5th CD, to be released in 2015.

As a teacher, Gfire works with students of all levels and all areas of interest. In October 2007, Gfire became the only vocal teacher in the Western Hemisphere to gain full certification in the Science of Singing, developed by Ernest G. White of London, England. Her unique voice training program, entitled "Yoga for the Voice," combines this knowledge of the Science of Singing with ancient yoga breathing techniques. This technique allows each voice student to develop a "vocal tune-up" for the voice AND to discover what the natural singing range is and how to use the voice as effectively as possible. With the internet SKYPE technology, Gfire teaches voice students all over the world, from Switzerland to the U.K. to New Zealand to New York.

Her vocal students have sung in touring rock bands, on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, in successful auditions, in karaoke clubs, in coffee houses and folk clubs, at weddings and for their own enjoyment amongst family and friends. Whatever level of singing training you wish to acquire, she will show you the way to achieve it!

Gfire was also the main voice instructor and one of 3 main piano teachers at the Austin branch of Mars Music (now defunct) for 3 1/2 years. In addition to her vocal study and innovation, she has studied piano with top classical and jazz pianists, studied songwriting with Pat Pattison of Berklee College in Boston, gotten her full yoga teaching certification in 2004 and DJ'd at clubs and parties worldwide. For eight years straight - 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 - she has won the prestigious ASCAPlus Award for professional songwriting.

As a singer-songwriter, Gfire continues to write, record and perform with some of the best musicians and engineers in the world, including engineer Stuart Sullivan (Willie Nelson, Sublime, Meat Puppets, etc.), Hammond organ player Ian McLagen (Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart), cellist John Hagen (Lyle Lovett), fiddle/mandolin player Warren Hood (The Waybacks), bassist George Reiff (Ray Wylie Hubbard) and banjo picker Danny Barnes (Bad Livers, Dave Matthews).

Gfire's original songs have been played on over 200 radio and television stations worldwide. She has toured in over half of the fifty states, plus the U.K. and Canada.

*** Lesson Details ***
NEW - Gfire is now available to teach WORLDWIDE via SKYPE or FaceTime - so you can have a music lesson in the privacy of your own home!!

Voice lessons - I have created a unique and wonderful vocal method, "Yoga for the Voice," which combines ancient yoga breathing exercises with special vocal exercises to give you a "complete vocal tune-up." These techniques are simple, effective and easily-learned by any student of the voice, from about age 5-105. I love to help you learn to apply these wonderful techniques to learning the songs you wish to learn - whether they are pop, r 'n' b, folk, singer-songwriter, rock, country, opera, musical theater, jazz, etc. "Yoga for the Voice" is just as effective for professional speakers, such as teachers, lawyers, clergymen or actors - we just use a range of notes that is smaller than a singer's range, and we focus on using your speaking voice as effectively and efficiently as possible.

In 3-6 months, you will be able to:

1. master the "breath of fire" and "one-minute breath" - the BEST yoga breaths for singers!
2. master the "sinus humming exercises" - identifying where EACH note in your range originates in your own head
3. master the "full-body exercises" - traditional singing exercises on "mah, mee, moh, moo, meh" - so that you can move easily between your chest voice, middle voice, and head voice
4. master 2-10 songs or more, depending on your level and the level of difficulty of each song - being able to sing each song in TUNE, with feeling, and having a blast doing it!!
5. if you wish, you can perform your song(s) at one of my voice and piano recitals - on a REAL Austin stage!!

Piano lessons - I teach a wide range of piano styles at levels from beginner to early advanced, beginning around age 5. Whether you want to learn classical, rock, blues, country, boogie-woogie, or other styles of piano and keyboard playing, I will sculpt your lesson plan so that you have a great foundation in technique AND you learn the styles and songs you wish to play.

In 3-6 months, you will be able to:

1. master the Leschetizky, hand massage, and isometric warm-up exercises - the BEST piano warm-ups!
2. depending on your level, master Hanon exercises 1-12, major and minor scales, major and minor arpeggios
3. for beginners, you will be able to play with BOTH hands on the treble and bass clefs - at the same time!!
4. master the I-IV-V progression in 3-12 keys, depending on your level - so that you can play blues, rock, country, boogie-woogie, and ragtime songs!!
5. master 4-20 songs or more, depending on your level and the level of difficulty of each song (classical songs tend to take more time to master) - being able to play each song with great technique, with feeling, and having a blast doing it!!
6. if you wish, you can perform your song(s) at one of my voice and piano recitals - on a REAL Austin stage!!

Songwriting lessons - I will teach you how to create a great song, in the style you wish to write in. Country songs, pop songs, rock tunes, r'n' b, folk, etc. - all of these genres have "unwritten rules" about how to put together an effective song. We will utilize special songwriting exercises and tools to help you learn to be a wonderful songwriter.

DJ lessons - I teach beat matching, turntable fine-tuning and repertoire selection to help you become the DJ you aspire to be. I own crates and crates of vinyl records and CDs, and I have DJ'd all over the world to enthusiastic crowds, so I can teach you to attain a real joy and skill in the art of turntablism.

Yoga lessons - I am a fully KRI-certified yoga teacher and I can help you develop a valuable yoga routine to help you achieve your health and relaxation goals. We will choose from literally hundreds of exercises and breathing techniques specifically geared to your needs and wants.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Pro Tools mBox PRO Full Recording Studio
Yamaha U1 Upright Piano
Shure SM 58 Microphone
Shure SM 57 Microphone
Korg microKorg Synthesizer
Yamaha M06 Synthesizer
Yamaha StagePas 300 PA System
Neumann TLM 103 Microphone
Neumann KMS 105 Microphone
Nord Lead Synthesizer
Taylor Acoustic Guitar
West African Djembe
MacBook Pro Computer
Universal Audio LA-610 Pre-amp
2 Technics 1200 Professional DJ Turntables
American DJ Pro-Scratch 1 Professional CDJ
Rane MP22 DJ Mixer
Mogami Professional Audio Cables

*** Travel Equipment ***
Yamaha M06 Synthesizer
Yamaha StagePas 300 PA System
Neumann KMS 105 Microphone
Macintosh Laptop Computer

*** Specialties ***
music, singing, piano, songwriting, DJ'ing, yoga, folk guitar

I have developed "Yoga for the Voice" - a combination of my 18 years of studying and receiving certification in the "Science of Singing" (as taught by Ernest George White of London, England) and my 10 years experience and certification in yoga, specifically ancient yoga breathing techniques. I will work with voice students as young as 4 and as old as they want to go! Voice lessons span all styles and all levels - pop, rock, r 'n' b, country, folk, singer-songwriter, opera, classical, musical theater, etc. from beginner to advanced. Generally beginning around age 7.

Piano - levels beginner to early advanced, most styles, including classical, rock, pop, folk, country, singer-songwriter, blues and boogie-woogie. Generally beginning around age 5.

Songwriting - all popular styles, including rock, pop, folk, country, blues, singer-songwriter, r 'n' b, etc.

DJ'ing - all basic DJ methods, including beat matching, turntable basics and repertoire selection.

Yoga - yoga breathing AND physical exercises, depending on the needs and wants of the student.

Folk guitar - finger picking and accompaniment skills for folk singers.

In piano, I specialize in teaching students who want to play a wide variety of music - classical, pop, rock, country, blues, etc. I begin with piano students who are 5 years of age and older, as long as they have the requisite attention span.

In songwriting, I specialize in teaching students methods of developing popular songs - pop, r 'n' b, country, rock, folk, etc.

In DJ'ing, I specialize in basic beatmatching and repertoire selection.

And in yoga, I specialize in tailoring the yogic needs of the student - whether she/he wishes to work on stretching, breathing, abdominal strengthening, etc.

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 can provide CDs and/or lesson books, if needed.

*** 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

ance and minored in conducting, continuing his education at LSU's school of music where he earned his Master's degree in orchestral conducting. In Austin, he conducted works by Stephen Sondheim (Into the Woods) and Dan Studney (Reefer Madness.)
​As a voice performer, he has sung the roles of Papageno (The Magic Flute), Ramon (La Curandera), King Balthazar (Amahl and the Night Visitors), Rigoletto (Rigoletto by Verdi), Belcore (Elixir of Love), Warrick (Plump Jack), The Phantom (Phantom of the Opera) among others. He has been heard regularly as a recitalist both in Mexico and throughout the US.
He earned his bachelors degree from the University of Texas at Austin where he majored in voice performance and minored in conducting, continuing his education at LSU's school of music where he earned his Master's degree in orchestral conducting. In Austin, he conducted works by Stephen Sondheim (Into the Woods) and Dan Studney (Reefer Madness.)
​Mr. Rodriguez currently serves as cover conductor for the Plano Symphony Orchestra, as well as administrator and librarian for the Irving Symphony.

IN MASCHERA (Munich, Verona, Frankfurt), Germont in Verdi's LA TRAVIATA ( Paris, Frankfurt, Dresden, Sao Paolo, Hamburg).

Well-known for his versatility in contemporary Mr. P-J has performed and recorded for Deutsche Grammaphone the role of Moses in Schoenberg's MOSES UND ARON (Netherlands Opera) and subsequently with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Pierre Boulez conducting). He has sung Wozzeck in Paris, Buenos Aires Strasbourg, Santiago de Chile, Montreal, and at the Spoleto USA Festival.

Further contemporary roles include Dr. Schoen in Berg's LULU, King Priam in Tippet's opera of the same name, Columbus in Milhaud's CHRISTOPHE COLOMBE, KARL V in Krenek's seldom-performed opera, Golaud in Debussy's PELLEAS ET MELISANDE, K in Aribert Reimann's DAS SCHLOSS, the Forester in Janacek's CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN, Gaudi in the world-premiere of Guinjoann's GAUDI (Teatro Liceu, Barcelona).

Dallapiccola's IL PRIGIONIERO is one his most-performed roles (Swedish Radio Orchestra, Carneige Hall and Avery Fisher Hall in New York, Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, NHK Orchestra in Tokyo and the Montreal Symphony orchestra.

He has sung Britten's WAR REQUIEM, Orff's CARMINA BURANA, Mendelssohn's ELIJAH (ELIAS), and numerous works by Bach, Berlioz, Dvorak, Faure, Schoenberg, and Zemlinsky. His recording of MOSES UND ARON with Pierre Boulez was awarded a Grammy.

From 2007 until 2017, Mr. P-J was and associate professor of voice at SUNY Potdam's Crane School of Music.