Penney Farms Music Lessons

's work in 2003 when I began teaching music.

I've successfully taught hundreds of different students since 2003, 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.

Having both taught myself piano and received formal training at a conservatory has prepared me to teach almost anyone 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 rock duo, Timberwood, has strengthened my knowledge of a broad range of styles and genres. I have a strong commitment to continuing my education. That's why I recently (2014) studied songwriting online with the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

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

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide an acoustic guitar to bring to both voice and guitar lessons. I expect my piano students to have a piano, an organ or a keyboard.

***Home Studio Equipment***
In my home studio, my students will have access to an acoustic guitar, an electronic keyboard, an acoustic piano and PC audio recording.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in teaching classical, country, pop and musical theater singing, classical and pop/rock/chordal style piano, and sightreading, including solfege syllables. I enjoy using Estelle Liebling as my voice method and Hanon for piano technique. My education includes coursework in jazz and pop theory and songwriting from both Westminster Choir College and the Berklee College. Teaching special needs individuals is also one of my specialties, and one that I highly enjoy. I've been trained in Meisner technique, and have experience in both theatre acting and musical theatre.

r Atlantic Records and new works of composers on the BMI label. As a performer I won the prestigious Jessie award for "outstanding performance by an actor in a leading role" for my creation of the Marquis in "120 Songs for the Marquis de Sade" in the world premiere co-produced by Modern Baroque Opera and Vancouver New Music. My international debut was in Sweden, singing the lead role of Director in "Kafka's Chimp" by Welsh composer, John Metcalf. Originally from Hawaii I now reside in New York where I garden and raise chickens. Experience
Fall 2000-2006 New York University NY, NY
Vocal Instructor for undergraduate and graduate students in the Music and Music Professions degree programs.
Instructor of Italian Diction
Music Director/Vocal Coach for ODIN, a new rap opera.

Spring 2003-present State University of New York at Stony Brook Stony Brook, NY
Vocal Coach for chamber groups for performances, which begins with selection of repertoire and continues to final dress.

Summer 2002-2004 Banff Centre for the Arts Banff, Alberta
Guest Lecturer/Vocal Instructor working with each singer individually for festival opera productions as well as attended rehearsals and production meetings.

*** Lesson Details ***
I endeavor to teach you a natural and easy vocal production; to teach you a good solid technique of singing and to help you develop confidence and a polished delivery as a singing artist on and off the stage.

Our work together is an intuitive journey of discovery. Your participation in giving feedback about what you are experiencing during our sessions together as well as what happens in your practice sessions and in your performances is an invaluable tool for us to discover and develop your voice.

Practice: I encourage you to practice 20 minutes a day. An hour is ideal. Singing is like anything that you want to master: it improves with work and investigation. The voice is a curiously individual element of each person and aside from the basics of technique no two voices work the same. Our work together is to develop your unique voice and to discover how it works. Working outside our sessions on a regular basis will help you take ownership of your voice and technique.

Auditions/Performances: Please bring all music that you plan to sing in public to your sessions well in advance of the performance. We need time to investigate the music and its demands together; it will make you more confident and polished in your presentation.

In our Vocal sessions you will learn…
…how to use and blend the entire range of your voice.
… a healthy and free voice management.
1) You want to know what to expect from your vocal instrument on any given note and on any given word.
2) Training makes singing technique second nature; training relieves struggling to get the sound out and allows more focus on the performance.
3) Training allows for more tone coloration, a wider dynamic range, a full use and blending of the registers and greater stamina.
4) Extensive training and practical voice work gives a singer with long-range career aspirations the tools necessary to succeed in an incredibly competitive business. Whether the music is rock, pop, jazz, rhythm and blues, country, musical theater or classical, the trained singer can better meet the demands of a life on the stage as a singer.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Dedicated Music Space, music stand, grand piano, three windows

*** Specialties ***
Onstage singing: I have 29 years experience on the operatic, music theater and cabaret theatre stages.

e 5, I started playing the piano and went on to finishing Piano Pedagogy from Saint Louis Music Center and B.S. Mass Communications from Saint Louis University . My career as a music educator started when I taught piano at the Yamaha School of Music. Ten years of classical training me has helped me attain this rewarding career. As a child, I have had the opportunity to be a € performer and an accompanist to many choral groups in school. My musical experiences also include performing in Cafe Vasilici€, San Leandro, California, where I can play all styles especially classical music. The ability to sight read is just one of the many endowments I can teach. Others include, an impeccable love for music and a good ear for music.
Brenda showed talent and a keen interest in piano playing at an early age of 5. She underwent extensive and rigid musical training at the Saint Louis Music Center (an independent music school exclusively run by the Nuns of Saint Louis University, Baguio City, Philippines) from the years 1972 to 1981. Under the tutelage of Mrs. Edna Maniquis, she learned how to effectively sight read any song, memorize her recital pieces and be very proficient in piano playing. In 1984, she continued to study with Mrs. Linda Lirag Reynado, a St. Paul's College Conservatory of Music graduate with a Major in Piano, Minor in Voice and who is the founder and owner of Baguio Music Studio, Philippines. In 1992 she finished a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and Piano Pedagogy from Saint Louis University.
As a piano student in her early years, she had the opportunity to become a finale performer in her student recitals gaining recognition as the best performer in her class. Growing up, during her high school and college years, she was involved with accompanying singers or chorus groups on the piano and joining in competitions where she won several awards and distinctions. Her musical experiences include playing in front of an audience and performing all styles and especially classical music.
Her 16 years of classical training also helped her attain a teaching position at the Yamaha School of Music in the Philippines and a rewarding teaching career at the Florida Conservatory of Music in Jacksonville, Florida.

*** Lesson Details ***
Have you ever started playing piano but got stumped and frustrated with the theory? Then you've come to the right class. I will teach you the keyboard skills and fundamentals you will need to become a successful pianist. I will provide you a step-by-step explanation on how to play the piano. If you need help with the written theory and you want to learn more about how to read and write notes, all you need to do is to enroll in my class. My instruction includes activities that will help you use the musical alphabet to read and write notes on the staff, identify intervals, and write sharps and flats. Not only will I emphasize note reading but I will help you develop a keen intelligent understanding of the musical notes and alphabet. In no time you will be playing the piano or keyboard and most especially read and play any music as you appreciate it!

It takes time and effort to learn how to play the piano and not all are expected to become wizards at it. For the most part, students should practice the piano/keyboard more often than not and just keep up with the course requirements when enrolled in my class. It takes enthusiasm, interest and most of all perseverance to play the piano however, with me you will succeed and be driven to become a good and skilled pianist!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Music room, seating room, piano, and keyboard

*** Travel Equipment ***
my keyboard

*** Specialties ***
All styles especially Classical.

anslated from Papiamentu into English.
Although my music background is classical, I play and teach popular music, which I appreciate.
Just to mention a few famous guitarists who's styles appeal to me: Carlos Santana, George Benson, Paco de Lucia, Julian Bream.
I also teach electrical and acoustic guitar, bass-guitar, piano/keyboard, ukulele, Venezuelan & PR cuatro, songwriting and music theory.
Music is an International language; a way to express inner feelings!
And Teaching it, is my passion!

*** Lesson Details ***
Studying with me will be more than moments of instruction and learning.
In addition to acquiring musical knowledge and technical skills, each class is really a musical experience.
The dynamic during class is focused on making music and in having fun, developing new technical skills and reaching your goals!
The Students will be constantly experimenting with various aspects of music: the Melody, Harmony, and Rhythm. I will be at all moments musically accompanying the student, developing his or her musical hearing pitch, musical aesthetic values, creativity, and artistic expression.
I offer quality Music Lessons!

*** Studio Equipment ***
A Studio equipped with comfortable chairs, desk, keyboards, guitars, white board, music stands, amplifier,
Parents can sit in on lessons

*** Specialties ***
Classial, Popular and Latin Music

**Cancellations**
All lessons must be cancelled with at least 24 hours notice, without exception

ching a combined piano/voice introduction for very young students.