Singing Lessons

in Warsaw.

Amazing Teachers.

oom, camera, etc) is functioning and running smoothly.

*** Studio Equipment ***
guitar, piano, mic, metronome, percussion Instruments and sheet music

*** Travel Equipment ***
Metronome and notebook

*** Specialties ***
With experience infused with classical recitals, gospel choir, acapella, art exhibits from small venues to the Corcoran and as a veteran teacher of School of Rock My main goal is to present students with simplified ways to learn about music and the arts and have them flourish in their medium of choice and present their love for the craft to others with love. I am blessed to have the ability to bring out the best in my students through my attention to detail, professionalism, and efficiency.

e and desires of the student. She believes in positive reinforcement and encouragement and keeping music fun while working hard to meet their goals.

There is also a yearly recital for students.

leader, I understand the demands and challenges of a busy performance calendar, singing sets for back-to-back audiences day after day and week after week, and the need for a vocalist to find the vocal freedom that will produce confidence in their voice no matter what the venue.

The first steps to mastering vocal freedom are the building blocks for vocal success. Whether the student is a child or an adult, with little or no training, it is my goal to make singing an enjoyable and freeing experience.

Singing with complete vocal freedom and confidence can seem very elusive. Surprisingly, it's not as elusive as one might think! Vocal freedom is within reach and most students experience a measure of it within the few first lessons, some even gaining a full octave in their range in their first lessons. Using a systematic method incorporating the study of good vocal technique and working on songs the student loves to sing makes learning more fun and gives the student a greater appreciation of music as a whole while encouraging a passion for music that lasts a lifetime. I encourage and teach sight reading, and theory basics especially for those students who are considering music as a profession.

*** Lesson Details ***
Each student learns with material that will be divided into step-by-step doable lessons so they can be sure to learn the best techniques and material along the way. Sheet music and lesson books and instrument rentals are provided at a minimal additional cost.

*** Studio Equipment ***
My home-studio is bright and open and set up with an upright piano, full length mirror, music stand, iPad with appropriate applications, guitar, mandolin, ukulele, and computer for recording and playback. Parents are welcome to sit in on lessons or wait for their children in the adjacent room. I also may provide a follow-up email which includes any recordings and lesson notes from the current lesson.

As the student progresses I also provide a PA system to teach mic technique and build performance confidence.

I ask that students come prepared with the following items to their lessons.
~ Bottled water
~ A ring binder with paper for notes and a zippered pouch to keep tools and handouts.
~ A flash drive for recording transfers or they can use their phone or other recording device to record their lessons.
~

*** Specialties ***
I honestly love my students and love teaching! It's such a privilege to be a part of their musical journey. I specialize in church worship vocals, choir, a capella, show tunes and musical theater. I teach free, healthy vocal technique which enables each student to explore and focus on different styles of singing. I also love teaching young voices especially teens who want to have a good time learning to sing.

NOTE ~ My teaching style is more structured therefore some young children may not be ready to take lessons with me.

of the Arts, earned in 2014.

In addition to teaching, I play the role of as the lead vocalist, guitarist, and composer in my rock band, called Karkaza. We are currently working on recording our debut album and playing shows in Los Angeles and other states in the US.

My favorite part of teaching is knowing that I helped the student have a better day and give them a rewarding activity to look forward to every week. Feel free to reach out any time, I would be happy to chat with you!

performed selections by Duparc, Schubert, Mozart, and Lehár. In July 2017, she made her role debut as Donna Anna in Mozart's Don Giovanni at the Centre for Opera Studies in Italy. During the 2015/16 season, Ms. Balter returned to the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival as Marcellina in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, where she also covered Countess Almaviva under the baton of Maestro James Richman. In addition, she appeared as La Chatte/L’Écureuil in Ravel’s L’Enfant et les Sortilèges. Previously, Ms. Balter joined the roster of Russian Opera Workshop, where she covered Zemfira in Rachmaninoff’s Aleko and the title role in an abridged version of Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet. Balter began the 2016 season as a guest artist in From Heidelberg to Hanover, where she performed Strauss’ Four Last Songs in addition to selections from Lohengrin, Der Freischütz, and Tannhäuser with Lyric Opera Baltimore Artistic Director, James Harp. Highlights of the 2014/15 season included Second Lady in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte with the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, Alice (cover) in Verdi’s Falstaff with Harrower Opera Workshop, and An Evening of Opera & Song with the McDonogh Guest Artist Series. 

Jamie Balter maintains a private voice studio in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, previously having studios in Springfield, Illinois and Miami and Tallahassee, Florida. She has previously served as the head of the voice program at The Music Factory in Springfield, Illinois and served on the faculty at The Stubbs' Music Center in Tallahassee, Florida.  This fall, Ms. Balter will be teaching a masterclass as part of a series at McDonogh School in Owings Mills, Maryland titled An Artist Works: Tools of the Trade where she will discuss vocal technique, the key elements to having a successful audition, and how to make a website and a résumé.  

Teaching Philosophy:
Singing is a process and a journey and every singer’s journey is different.  My goal as a vocal pedagogue is to create a positive environment in my studio where my students can reach all of the goals that they set out to achieve.  In addition, it is important for my students to feel a warm, welcoming atmosphere, where they can make mistakes, take big risks, and ask questions.  The art of singing is a whole-body experience and it is essential for students to train and practice like an athlete would train for an Olympic event.  I encourage my students to do some sort of physical activity that has an emphasis on the abdominal muscles (i.e. yoga, pilates, tai chi, weight routine), so that they feel what it is like to use the whole body as well as strengthen their core muscles, which directly relates to “appoggio” or breath support.  I teach my students to use their entire body when they sing.  I believe that students should practice with physicality gestures, so they can get connected to their whole body and feel a strong gravitational center.  As a vocal pedagogue, I foster a healthy vocal technique and I believe that it is necessary for students to understand how the muscles work for inhalation and exhalation.  In addition, I believe that it is important for students to have kinesthetic awareness of the process of singing.  After a student has mastered the basic understanding of alignment, the body, and breathing, I then focus on phonation and having a clean onset after the inhalation.  Singing is all muscle coordination, so careful practice and patience is needed.  The process cannot be rushed.  Students in my studio have a solid foundation, which can be applied to any style of music that they wish to sing.  Every student has different needs and it is crucial to cater each lesson to the particular student.     

learned, and I believe in taking a specialized individual approach for each person and project.

Whether you need help with crafting your work, navigating social media or learning an instrument, I'm here to help you figure out the best of what will benefit you.

I love all the ways there are to communicate -- through language, sound and visuals -- and am so blessed to share the gift of these arts with others!