Top Singing & Voice Lessons in Riverdale, GA

e always enjoyed discussing music and educating others on its many aspects. As such I began teaching during summers home from Berklee and found that it was something I had a great deal of talent for. Now, with seven years of teaching experience behind me, I look forward to bringing my skills and insights to students of all ages and bring not only ability on the guitar but a greater love of music to a fresh crop of open minds!!

In addition to guitar, I am also qualified to teach voice, public speaking, dramatic acting, and all aspects of music theory, the latter of which I incorporate into all of my music lessons.

A FEW THINGS TO BE AWARE OF:

1. I am able to take lessons in your home or over Skype. I am no longer accepting lessons in my home.

2. Please only pick one teacher. I don't know why people do this but on more than one occasion I've had students come to me and say "I'm doing lessons with you and this other guy. I figure I can learn different things from both of you." You only need one teacher- if that's not me, I understand.

3. I will NOT remove you as a client on Takelessons so that I can take money under the table from you directly. Sometimes clients will say "the lessons on Takelessons are expensive- is there any way I can just pay you directly?" No, you may not. The amount you are paying is MY specified fee from which Takelessons takes a commission so paying me directly would not save you money. Furthermore, I have a binding agreement with Takelessons not to do this. If you press me on this matter I will discontinue your lessons altogether.

*** Lesson Details ***
Although I follow a specific lesson plan, its important to customize that to each student's skill level and specific needs. Thus, I will spend the first lesson evaluating where the student is in terms of overall musical awareness, existing skill on the instrument, and long term interest.

By the end of the first month, my beginning students will be able to perform basic chromatic and major scales, name the notes on the instrument, and have command of a few basic chords. With these core concepts and regular, committed practice, they will be able to learn and perform songs in a wide variety of styles after 3 to 6 months have passed.

My more advanced students will have a lesson plan customized to their specific goals and desires. In 3 to 6 months with such a student I will have them well on the path to accomplishing their long term goals, whether those be playing, composition, harmonic awareness, understanding of theory, or all of the above.

*** Studio Equipment ***
dedicated music room; cables/amps; electric & acoustic guitars; keyboard

*** Travel Equipment ***
Electric or acoustic guitar as needed.

*** Specialties ***
Having graduated from the Berklee College of Music, I follow their approach in educating the student. In this regard I teach music theory along with the physical act of playing the guitar, which serves to not only enrich the experience for the student but demonstrate how what they are learning is applied to music on the whole.

I am fluent in many genres and specialize in rock, jazz, the blues, and various fusion genres. Because music functions off of the same principles regardless of genre, I can take whatever style the student might best appreciate and structure my lesson plan around it.

While at Georgia State, I had the good fortune to observe in action some of the most phenomenal musicians in Atlanta: Dwight Coleman, Dr. Peter Marshall, and Maestro Michael Palmer. Since that time, I’ve studied voice privately with bass Jason Hardy and soprano Sharon Stephenson, and I’ve fine-tuned, pun intended, both my vocal and pianistic musicianship by singing in choirs led by phenomenal directors like Dr. Eric Nelson, Walter Huff, and Dr. Dale Adelmann.

And not being a stranger to accomplishments in teaching (voice and piano), in 2013 I was recognized as a Top Teacher for student retention, communication with parents and staff, general positive feedback, and overall professionalism. In addition, both my voice and piano students regularly receive superior ratings at the local National Federation of Music Clubs festivals, pass ABRSM theory and piano exams, earn leading roles in school productions, and place in local talent shows.

P.S. For potential voice students, how many of you want to be a famous opera singer? My guess is, not many of you (to say the least :) However, what if I say, who would like to pretend they’re a famous bullfighter, a bird catcher (who likes to dress like a bird), an Ancient Egyptian, or a King or Queen while singing awesome music? Hopefully, more of you would try it. That’s why I love opera and classical singing. So I encourage you to watch, not just listen to, classical singing. You may be surprised at how cool it can be.

tudents can expect to have fun while still incorporating discipline. All students will learn different styles and techniques from various styles of music to expand their musical talents and knowledge. Even if your focus is classical music, you can still expect to learn some jazz, pop, etc. Students can also expect to work on breathing exercises, diction, basic piano, basic guitar, sight reading, ear training, proper singing techniques as well as the anatomy of the throat. After a few months students will see tremendous improvements in the areas mentioned above as well as gain more confidence, individuality, creativity, adoration for the art and be able to execute their vocal instrument efficiently and beautifully!

*** Travel Equipment ***
I have voice books for soprano singers, a piano, and a guitar. I require students to provide their own voice books (if I require them for your particular session), a notebook, and a recording device.

*** Specialties ***
Classical-Spirituals, Opera, Romantic, Baroque, etc.
Contemporary
R&B
Reggae
Gospel
Country
Rock
Pop

enuinely defined the young professional, what lures many to her, and why she remotely continues to build her influential empire as a true business lady.

In 2007, LadySonya, a Georgia Peach native from Columbus, Georgia, and transfer student from Troy University to Georgia State University, began her life shift of miserably working 2-3 part-time jobs to prosper through college. In less than one year of living in Atlanta, LadySonya quit her part-time job as stock for Ross Department Store and decided to follow her dreams of being in the music industry. With no money saved, nothing but a Radio-Shack 76-key keyboard, and one year of college experience, she decided to start her own business of teaching piano lessons. She found a contracted job to teach at Tarang School of Music & Arts, Suwanee, Georgia, and began to make her infamous mark. LadySonya also found various online sites to assist with marketing her newly established company.
Many supporters on social media such as face book & twitter began to take notice of LadySonya's swift entrepreneurial progression and in May of 2009 LadySonya held her 1st annual Spring Recital for LadySonya Music Studio Company. The event inspired 75+ guests. Once the company began to bloom more she began to hold recitals twice a year, one in May and the other in December, filling the venue with up to 150+ guest per show. In 2011, LadySonya decided to take her name to the next level by writing her life story testimony of how she went through 7 part-times jobs in one year span along with almost giving up everything to move back to Columbus. During the summer months of 2011 LadySonya organized her very own Network (iNetworkDoYou) to help aspiring entrepreneur/music industry by encouraging them to gain valuable information to help them along the way.

Often mistaken for a fashion model, LadySonya is a celebrity piano instructor, with a lively girl next door attitude. However anyone views her, this young lady is establishing her brand as a music mogul, exercising her inner power to become highly successful.

It is dedication, drive, and determination that lead the role-model LadySonya to reach out to her numerous supporters and fans by creating an Annual Vision Board Extravaganza (2012) to empower others to reach follow their dreams, annually host two music recitals for the students to grow out of being shy musicians, create Lady University Movement to mentor young & older ladies desiring to be leaders, and assemble frequently as a motivational speaker and panelist as a entrepreneur inspirational expert.

Shut Up and Drive is the mental note that pushed LadySonya to the next level to be more than a piano teacher, but a business lady with ongoing dreams of being the next Oprah, with a diva attitude as Beyonce, and musician skills of Alicia Keys. She works day in and day out to build her empire of being a role model- I am LadySonya.

With strong family & spiritual backbone, LadySonya believes her ultimate purpose in life is to indeed inspire others to stay focused. Her alter-ego LadySonya is known to give you that extra boost of confidence and internal drive to set goals and achieve them. However you view LadySonya, as a musician, artist, entrepreneur, model or even social networker, know that she is on top of her business/brand and she's working hard to touch lives like never before with making her dreams come to reality.

Credits:

I started piano lessons at age 9.

Graduated from Shaw High School Honors in the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Served Vice-President of Tri-M Music Honor society my junior year and President my Senior year. I also was involved in the Gospel Choir, Advanced Chorus, and won 3rd Place in the Girls Trio.

Troy University Troy, Alabama Aug 2005- Dec 2006 Major:Music Industry I was involved in the Music Program. I studied Music Theory 1,2,3, Class Piano 1 and 2, Aural Skills (learning to hear music) Private Piano, Private Voice, Intro to Music Industry and Music History. I was involved in the Collegiate Choir, Gospel Choir which sung at Rosa Park funeral and museum.I was also a lead singer and also was involved in the Plays. I was also inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta Society for freshmen whose GPA scored 3.5 or higher their first year of college.

Georgia State University Atlanta, Georgia 2007- currently Music Management I am currently pursing my degree.

Past Musician Duties:

Serving as director and musician for Youth and Gospel Choirs.

Smith Grove A.M.E Church in Columbus,Georgia 2001-2005
Allen Temple A.M.E Church in Columbus, Georgia 2002-2002
Cools Springs Baptist Church in Pittsview. Alabama 2004-2005
Mount Bethal A.M.E Church in Cussetta,Georgia 2005-2006
Mount Gilead A.M.E Church in Fortson,Georgia 2002-2011

*** Lesson Details ***
What students can expect from the lesson is "learning".

I am a very relaxed, fun, and motivated teacher. I teach everything from classical to gospel to country to pop music. One thing you will find out from my lessons are you are "learning" rather than "memorizing". Lessons are structured to the students needs. I put my all into the lesson to the last minute or maybe run a minute over but at the end I know I've done my job!

I like to make it fun, so I encourage students to bring in music they would like to learn even if I have to simplify it a bit!

I also try to teach different tricks to learn the theory.

Call today... You will be glad you did!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Logic 9, M-Audio Midi Controller 88- key

*** Specialties ***
Read Sheet Music
Play by Ear (Music Theory)
Ear- training skills
Chord Progressions
Scales/Chords

Pop, R&B, Gospel, Classical, Country, Contemporary Neo-Soul...

in Georgia.

She also teaches PIANO. She has taught piano for about 10 years. She studied piano privately for 10 years and had further study at Indiana University.

Students wishing to have any COMBINATION of piano, music theory, sight reading and/or vocal development can receive a program of study that meets their individual needs.

PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE:
Mary Frances has performed with the Southeastern Savoyards Light Opera Company, the Atlanta Opera Chorus and Studio, the Atlanta Symphony Chorus, Marietta Theater in the Square, and Neighborhood Playhouse. She has sung title roles in Patience, Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel. Other roles include Josephine in HMS Pinafore, the Princess in The Student Prince, and Connie in The 1940's Radio Hour.

She has performed many roles with Capitol City Opera Company (CCOC) including Annina in The Saint of Bleecker Street, Bastienne in Mozart's Bastien and Bastienne, Nora in Vaughan Williams' Rider's to the Sea, and Gilda in Milton Granger's Talk Opera. She sang for many years in CCOC's school outreach program. She has sung many concerts for CCOC as well.

Mary Frances was a soloist in Handel's Messiah for Peachtree Presbyterian Church. She has worked as the soloist at The First Church of Christ Scientist in Roswell, Georgia and at The Second Church of Christ Scientist in Sandy Springs, Georgia ( This church has now closed). She occasionally directs and sings in the choir, and substitutes for the cantorial soloist at Congregation Dor Tamid in Alpharetta, Georgia.

EDUCATION:
Mary Frances holds a bachelors degree from Indiana University School of Music in both Voice and Theater. Mary Frances was a long time student of the late Elizabeth Nohe Colson of Atlanta, Georgia. She has attended Brevard Music Center, The Georgia State Opera Workshop and the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. While in Graz, Mary Frances was a finalist in the Meistersinger competition.

*LESSON DETAILS

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LESSON LENGTH:
30-minutes for beginning adults and elementary students up to 5th grade. 45-minutes for intermediate adults and students 5th to 8th grade. 60-minute lessons for more advanced students high school and up.

TEACHING STYLE AND CURRICULUM:
ALL: My teaching style is relaxed and nurturing I use positive reinforcement to encourage progress with adults and children. Students are allowed to progress at their own pace.

PIANO: I prefer the Alfred's Basic Piano Library series for my piano students. I find that my students learn more music theory and music reading with this series. If the student has started lessons in a different series, I can work with that as well. I have a large music library that provides a wide selection of music in addition to the Alfred books. I expect most beginning students to learn basic music reading and theory in 3 to 6 months. They should also to be able to play simple tunes in that time. I am an active professional singer, so I have a large library of vocal material at my disposal.

All piano students are REQUIRED to have an instrument to practice on at home. The piano MUST HAVE AT MINIMUM:
IF Digital - 88 full sized, weighted keys with polyphonic sound ( at least 10 keys should be able to sound at at the same time) and a sustain pedal,
OR - If Accoustic - maintained and properly tuned.

VOICE: I begin my voice lessons with breathing techniques and vocal placement using widely accepted exercises coming from a large body of sources such as:
Vaccai, professional level vocal teachers, coaches and directors that I have worked with and learned from over the last 30 years, and the writings of highly acclaimed authors in the vocal field. I also have a wide selection of art song books, oratorio, musical theatre, and opera. My background is classical and musical theatre, but I believe all styles of singing need the basic skills of breathing and vocal placement. I strive to keep voices healthy as well as find each student's most beautiful sound. Most students will see progress in breath control, range, projection and diction in 3 to 6 months.

Repertoire is chosen on an individual basis. Younger students and beginners will be encouraged to not push their voices with material that is too difficult for their individual abilities because singing requires a certain amount of physical endurance. My goal is to find each student's natural sound for whatever style he or she sings.

Voice students are encouraged to bring a recording device to lessons to use for later practice and study.

STUDIO EQUIPMENT AND LIBRARY:
Piano, Computer with Internet Access, Library of Music and Reference Materials (Sample Listing): Alfred's Basic Piano Library Books Twenty-Four Italian Songs and Arias, Medium High and Medium Low Voice; Schirmer Sing at First Sight; Alfred Basics of Singing by Jan Schmidt; Schirmer Many Soprano Collections of Arias, Oratorio, Sacred, and Art Songs from Schirmer Several Broadway Music Collections from Hal Leonard Discover Your Voice by Oren Brown Training the Speaking Voice by Virgil Anderson International Phonetic Alphabet for Singers by Wall Dynamics of the Singing Voice by Meribeth Bunch Classical Singer Magazine Subscription Journal of Singing, The Official Journal of the National Association of Teachers of Singing,Inc.Subscription

SPECIALTIES:
I am classically trained bel canto voice teacher, but I can work with broadway and pop styles. I teach sight singing for students pursuing auditions for All State Chorus and College entrance, etc. I use the Alfred Basic Piano Series for Piano students

tudents to have a fun and comfortable learning environment. If you think I'm what you need, contact me so we can talk about your goals. Can't wait to meet you!

Joy

*Resume available upon request.

edge in performing plus, almost more importantly, the business of acting. One wanting to become a professional performer must always keep in mind, acting is a business and an investment! Passion for the arts fills me, and I treasure the opportunity to spread that joy to all searching for solid coaching and instruction. Feel free to contact me at anytime. Just keep singing, just keep singing.

gwriting and keyboard through the online program so that I can live here in Georgia.

Come by and together let's create MUSIC MAGIC

focus on the basics for new students as well as intermediate ones: breath, resonance, and pitch. For students who are preparing for auditions, as someone who has been through about twenty auditions in the past few years, I can help with content, confidence, and the audition process in general.

I'm excited to hear from you, so reach out!

Hanna Rose