Ashland, MA Speaking Voice Lessons

The student should have his/her own instrument, so they can practice regularly.

*** Specialties ***
Gospel, Classical, Pop, Inspirational, Sacred, Wedding, etcetera

s a Top Vocal Coach by Backstage Magazine 2015, she is a club hit recording artist and premier LA vocal coach. Her vocals have graced full length CD's, cuts on various records, performances on TV and radio, and gained her a nomination for Best Female Vocalist, All Access Music Awards. She is the author of Vocal Essentials for the Pop Singer: Take Your Singing from Good to Great, from Hal Leonard Publishing. Teri has a Master's Degree in Education and a Bachelors Degree in Speech Pathology. She studied music at Blue Bear School of Music in San Francisco including music theory, vocal technique and vocal performance, guitar and stage performance. She had a dance club hit in the 90's which garnered success on mix shows and dance charts across the country.

She specializes in getting the best out of her students -- giving them a solid vocal technique to let their natural ability shine. Her students will attest to her positive, relaxed and encouraging teaching style.

In addition to learning the basics, Teri can help students get their voice in shape for events, school projects/plays, auditions (American Idol etc...), a solo or band project, and more!

Teri offers flexibility with scheduling to accommodate students various needs including day/eves and weekends. Studio is in a convenient Westside LA location.

*** Lesson Details ***
Students can expect a fun lesson with vocal warm-up exercises, and lots of singing, in a supportive environment. Teri works out of her home studio and online. so students can work with microphones and instruments.

Children
Voice lessons build confidence and enthusiasm, and help prepare children for performing in front of others. Singing at a young age develops vocal abilities, but more importantly develops a child's aural abilities (recognizing melodies, harmonies, etc.) as well as the ability to focus, take direction and be creative.

Performing / Recording / Vocal Health
Recording. performing and touring presents unique challenges to singers. By concentrating on breathing, vocal production and tension reduction, warm-up exercises, and range building exercises, these lessons help increase stamina, build vocal tone, and reduce the effects of vocal fatigue for those who sing long hours at a time.

Church / Worship Leading
Singing on praise/worship teams is an art form all of it's own. Lessons centered around this kind of singing focus on the areas of blending, tone, hearing harmonies, and keeping your part in a group. For the soloist / worship leader, lessons help in the areas of projection, tone, range, runs, and breathing.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have recording equipment and microphones, piano, guitar.

*** Specialties ***
voice, voice lessons, voice singing lessons, voice coaching, vocal technique, voice training, speaking (speakers), auditions, broadway singing (pop technique only), music theory, musical theatre, singing, speaking acting voice, acting, theatrical singing, adults, all levels, audition prep, beginner to advanced, breathing technique, children's basics, pro vocal technique, rock pop styling, stamina based breathing, theatre singing, voice actors, voice over artists, using your body as an instrument, getting students to record quality, building vocal tone, and assisting students in finding their own voice.

IP MONEY AND GRANTS

Jimi has prepared and developed his students for college preparation and has not only helped them get into the colleges of their choice, but has helped them to get substantial scholarships. In this day and age of high tuition, this is a tremendous help for parents financing their children through college as well as outlining a wonderful life that will allow the student to not have the pressure of paying loans off after they complete college. Jimi has also developed and prepared his students for major auditions in Boston, New York and Los Angeles including some students who placed high in American Idol as high as Top 24 Nationally and "The Voice" on NBC TV.

FOR THE SINGING STUDENT

Jimi will create a customized plan for you or for your child that is reasonable and fun on any of the instruments and subjects listed above. With a fun voice and music studio that includes a professional PA System, each student will have a fun experience singing and playing with the songs they love to sing and play using microphones and singing and playing over song tracks that enable them to work on their feel, pitch and groove. Younger students have enjoyed this experience as it gives a Karaoke and jamming kind of setting that allows each student to sing or play with the original recording and then sing or play it by themselves allowing them to build their confidence using a microphone and professional sound equipment. Jimi's elaborate music library of over 80,000 songs is also available to each student as well. Because of his medical training as a licensed and certified voice therapist, each student can be assured of learning to sing correctly and technically by using proven voice techniques that will enable each singing student to sing with power and expanded range without the danger of hurting or damaging their voice.

FOR THE SAXOPHONE AND CLARINET STUDENT

For the Saxophone and Clarinet student, Jimi uses 21st Century method books as well as the traditional methods he's used to get his students jamming and playing. A lot of time is spent in early lessons on teaching the student the correct way to blow the instrument to get a great sound. Typically, students will want to practice more when they sound great and a lot of time is spent on making a great sound to build their confidence and motivation.

FOR THE POP/ROCK PIANO STUDENT

Pop and Rock Piano Students will enjoy a modern approach to Piano that is not the typical Classical Approach that some children are disagreeable to. Jimi gets his Piano students to play modern pop and rock songs and students will learn how to jam and approach the piano with modern pop music instead of the old school classical approaches.

FOR THE SONG WRITING STUDENT AND SINGER/SONGWRITER CAREER PATH

Songwriting is approached with song analysis first and then song form models are then looked at in the Old Style from the early 20th Century to the New Style forms used today. Then meticulous time is spent on Melody writing, Chord Writing, Basic Harmony and Lyrics. Jimi uses an approach to songwriting that is unique in its methodology by having the student believe that it is a LOT easier than you think it is. This confidence building methodology will have students writing songs in rapid time.

BASIC PIANO/KEYBOARD FOR SINGERS AND SONGWRITERS

For those students who wish to use the Piano as learning tool to help their singing and pitch, as an option you can take Basic Piano with Jimi after your voice development has progressed. The Piano is an awesome tool for singers and learning to play simple vocal exercises, notes and chords on the Piano will truly enhance your singing experience. Songwriters who do not play a chordal instrument like Guitar and Piano will enjoy this because they need to be able to play chords to become the complete songwriter that can not only write melodies and lyrics, but chords as well.

AN OUTSTANDING REPUTATION TEACHING STUDENTS OF ALL AGES

Currently, Jimi leads a professional Original Country Music group that has released a full CD and plays around the New England area. Jimi teaches at three prestigious private schools and music schools in Boston teaching students between Age 6 and 18 at those schools. Jimi is also Lead Voice Faculty and runs the Voice Program at one of those schools. Jimi's versatility and background has allowed him to keep on top of the music scene providing him with an incredibly large wealth of music knowledge that dates back to the Jazz/Swing era all the way up to the pop music of today. Jimi Z. was born in New York City and grew up in Lynbrook, NY only 20 Miles from the Music and Arts Mecca of the world in New York City. He attended the Manhattan School of Music Preparatory Division in New York City from age 14 to 17. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1978-1979 and then transferred to New England Conservatory of Music and received his Bachelor of Music in Contemporary Improvisational Studies as a double major in Voice and Saxophone Studies from New England Conservatory of Music.

LICENSED VOICE THERAPIST AND VOCAL REHABILITATION SPECIALIST/VOCAL PHILOSOPHIES

Jimi is a Licensed Voice Therapist and has an incredible working knowledge of the Voice Anatomy and Physiology of the Voice. He has the ability to teach Speech, Acting and Singing. He also is networked well with some of the top Ear, Nose and Throat Doctors, Ornolaryngologists, and Speech Pathologists and works in tandem with them on Voice Rehabilitation cases. He is also aligned with top Ear Nose and Throat Hospitals including the Massachusetts, Eye and Ear Infirmary and St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Boston. While the average student will not need these services from a voice therapy perspective, Jimi teaches a preventative singing technique that allows his singing students to learn to sing with power without pressing, pushing or belting on the voice so that his students will never hurt their voice or lose their voice. Jimi is Certified to teach the McClosky Voice Technique and uses other techniques including Alexander and Bel Canto in addition to his own philosophies.

A DEDICATED PHILOSOPHY THAT STRESSES WORK AND FUN

Jimi has dedicated himself to teaching music to young talent for over 30 years professionally. He has taught and performed all over the world in major music groups as a player and a band leader. Because of his many years of teaching children and adults of all ages, Jimi has an uncanny ability to focus on each student's needs. Whether the student is a child that wants to take lessons for fun and recreation or whether the student is considering music as possible career or part time career,

SETTING REALISTIC GOALS

Jimi focuses on getting to understand each student's needs so that he and the student can agree on a realistic lesson plan with realistic goals. He focuses on asking each student exactly what they want to do in their first lesson and then sets up a realistic practice schedule with each student so that they can meet the goals they agree on. For the "doing it for fun" younger student, Jimi uses a philosophy that motivates the student to practice by using a work/fun balance that stresses working towards public performance when possible.

GET READY TO JAMN

One thing that Jimi thrives on as a teacher is to get each student to jam with the music. Whether it means that they sing or play along with the original version using CDs or with an IPOD or having his students play by ear, the student can sing and play using Karaoke or original recorded Versions in his studio, Jimi stresses the need to jam to give the feeling of performing to students as soon as possible. Without question, jamming, singing and playing with the song is the ultimate training for a musician.

MICROPHONES, TECHNOLOGIES AND GADGETS

One other important thing involved in Jimi's lessons is to get the student comfortable and effective with using a microphone for his singing students. Jimi has a complete professional PA system in his Metro Boston Studio to allow the student to work on microphone technique and monitoring techniques as well. Whether you or your child wants a casual "for fun" philosophy or you or your child are career minded about music, Jimi will find a fun philosophy for each student that is not necessarily a "one size fits all" approach. The cool resources and gadgets in Jimi's Music Studio include a state of the art PA System complete with Pro Equipment that will simulate Stage Performance for students. It allows the students at any level to sing with Produced Tracks or Basic Karaoke with Microphones as well as Pro Settings. The studio will give students the ability to perform in a private setting so that they can develop the skills to perform in public. Microphone and Monitoring Techniques are also worked on and Jimi also uses all of the Vocal Technology Products he endorses to make the student's voices even better with these awesome enhancements. The philosophy is to learn to sing without all of these enhancement products first and then put the student's voice over the top with them later. Jimi wants to get the students ready as fast as possible technically and then bring songs into the mix quickly as well.

PERSONAL STYLE DEVELOPMENT

While the student works on their songs, Jimi focuses on what kind of songs the student does exceptionally well and then builds on those strengths while working on the student's own unique personal style. If the Voice/Singing student is looking to be a Singer/Songwriter, Jimi also teaches Songwriting and Personal Style Development to enable each student to develop their own unique style through Artist Development practices that his company works on. Whether you're a Solo Artist or you're part of a band or group, Jimi will help you find your own personal style so that you are unique and not a copy of another artist .

JIMI'S "KIDS"

While Jimi has no children of his own, his "kids" are his music students and he takes a lot of pride in watching them grow as musicians as well as in life.

NETWORKING AND KNOWING PEOPLE IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY AND JIMI'S PRODUCTION COMPANY

Jimi plays a wide variety of instruments and is a Songwriter, Record Producer, Studio Musician, Promoter and Talent Scout. His talent development company has existed since 1991 and has produced many shows in the New England area since then. In 2002, the company expanded and started to help musicians to expand their music careers and in 2009 Jimi's dream of having a recording studio was then realized. It enabled his voice students and talent clients to fully expand their careers by not only coaching with Jimi, but being produced and recorded in his company's studio. Jimi has produced demos and full CDs for his students and Talent Clients and has helped them to get their music careers going.

TEEN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AND MORE ON GETTING SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS

Jimi is also responsible for preparing Teens for Colleges and University Programs that know they want to pursue music as a career. Jimi has not only been successful in getting his teen students into the college or university of their choice, but has also put his students in a position to get them substantial grants and full college and university scholarships. Jimi has also created a successful TEEN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (T.D.P.) for young teens who know that they want a music career.

The T.D.P. is designed so that if a young adult works with Jimi for numerous years that they can pick a career path suitable for them. The T.D.P. can have a student with any one of three career paths 1) College/University Path where a large repertoire and portfolio is created for presentation to Colleges and Universities to not only allow a student to get into the Higher Education Institution of their choice, but to get them the scholarships and grants that they deserve so that they and their parents are not shelling out as much as $300,000 for those costs. The Higher Education Plan is built on a the development of an impressive portfolio of hundreds of songs, Demo CD, Demo DVD, Original Songs and the building of a Performance Resume in the student's teen years.

This Portfolio is then presented to Higher Education Institutions to allow a realistic chance of getting into the college of their choice and getting substantial scholarship and grant money. The success of the T.D.P. is amazing as many of Jimi's students have been accepted into colleges and universities and received scholarships. 2) The second T.D.P. is for those students and parents who simply want to learn what they need to move their music careers by doing complete development with Jimi directly. While Jimi is a graduate of New England Conservatory of Music and stresses a college education, sometimes it isn't possible or sometimes career minded musicians simply want a teacher to guide them in their career path without going to college or a university. Some musicians who have a higher caliber of talent will take this path knowing that they or their parents might want to pay for the financing of a recording a professional CD with a modest budget compared to the potential $300,000 budget Higher Education Institutions charge.

If your child is considering a music career, whatever career path he or she decides, Jimi is more than qualified to help plan that path. Some of Jimi's students entering the T.D.P. Program have had Portfolios of over 500 songs in different genres of music, have impressive resumes, go out on acting auditions, have formed their own groups or developed themselves as solo artists and have also studied song writing with Jimi to realize their own dream of writing their own songs as well as recording them in his studio. The T.D.P is not for the casual student taking lessons for fun, but it is there if the student needs it. The resources that Jimi has to help his students and the network of musicians and music business people he knows is an incredible asset. 3) The Third Career Path of Jimi's T.D.P. is for the student to pursue both Career Paths 1 and 2). This can be accomplished by the talented and elite students that study with Jimi

ADULT CAREER MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Jimi can help you with the marketing part of your career. The resources of his company allow his talent clients to develop websites, Press Kits, Electronic Press Kits, Produce Demos, CDs as well as develop a live show if your act is a solo artist or group. The phenomenon of Social Media which has blown up the past 18 months is staggering and music artists need to use that technology in promoting their careers. Studying with Jimi opens the door to all of the marketing things that his company does to promote his artists. There is nothing more gratifying to Jimi than seeing his students succeed. With the ever changing aspects of the business side of the music business, Jimi and his company have their hands on pulse of the future as well as the changes that happen daily.

SUMMARY

Whatever walk of life you or your child come from, Jimi Z. will help you to become the singer and performer you want to be. Jimi can help you find your voice, make you sound and play great on your instrument or teach you musicianship skills that are essential to a successful music career. Or if you're taking lessons for fun, Jimi will teach you to love playing and have a fun and pleasurable experience.

Jimi takes pride in being a great and experienced teacher of over 30 years, but he is still an active performer and principal songwriter. Nothing makes Jimi happier than a student who grows as a musician in his studio that loves to play music and have fun.

*** Lesson Details ***
TYPICAL LESSON PLAN FOR THE SINGING STUDENT:

THERE IS A SHORTER LEARNING CURVE FOR SINGERS (MONTHS NOT YEARS!!!)

One important thing to consider about taking Singing Lessons or Voice Lessons is that The Learning Curve is much quicker for both Adults and Children compared to the Learning Curve of other instruments like Guitar, Piano or Drums. There are certain aspects of learning to sing that make the learning curve happen within months and not years. This makes singing so much easier for everyone to learn in a timely manner. This can help with younger students who might be less patient and might have lower attention spans.

SINGERS ARE GUARANTEED TO EXPAND THEIR RANGE WITHOUT BELTING AND HURTING THEIR VOICE

Depending on whether the student is doing lessons for fun or for a possible career, Jimi Z.'s teaching philosophy stresses good vocal technique that allows the student to develop maximum vocal range to hit higher notes that they never could hit by relaxing the muscles in and around the larynx.

Students will learn good posture and breathing and learn how to execute singing by doing warm-up/workouts that strengthen the correct muscles in the larynx and the abdominal muscles. The philosophy of execution on these exercises will seamlessly transcend into doing the same execution in songs.

Students will receive a Warm-up/Workout CD to practice to which is easy to follow. Songs will be introduced as soon as possible. Tone will improve as muscles strengthen. Students will later work on Microphone Technique, using Vocal Technologies,effects and really cool gadgets that are available in Jimi's studio via his product endorsements, Monitoring and the development of the student's own personal style are worked on by Pro Students.

Later in the curriculum, students can look forward to not only enjoying the benefits of range expansion and good tone because of the relaxed vocal technique, but then they'll be able to explore further range expansion through Passsagio Bridging to the Mix Voice and Falsetto register combined with microphone technique. Students will have the opportunity to use Karaoke CDs as well as a device which removes vocals off of conventional Music CDs so that they can sing in a Pro setting that is live and true.

Overall the methods Jimi Z. uses are The McClosky Technique (Jimi is Certified), Bel Canto Technique, The Alexander Technique for alignment and body mapping and The Jimi Z. Pop Vocal Approach to singing. Jimi Z. takes his approach with each student individually.

TYPICAL LESSON PLAN FOR THE POP PIANO STUDENT

Pop Piano Students can look forward to an unconventional approach not used by many classical piano teachers. This is a welcome idea that most younger students welcome with open arms because you don't need to play classical music or be trained classically to effectively play Pop or Rock as many people will misunderstand as being the norm. Pop/Rock Piano Students can look forward to learning basic fingerings to formulate melody on both hands. All students will learn major scales and then learn to finger 3 note chords on both hands. It is then that the students start to jam to recorded CDs and keep up with the recorded version by playing simple chords and simple melodies. Later on in the development, if the student wants to take things to a higher level, improvisational studies can be introduced that are more difficult. A lot of time is spent learning things by ear and a lot of jamming is encouraged with simple songs first evolving into more challenging songs later on.

(FOR TYPICAL LESSON PLANS ON SAXOPHONE/CLARINET AND SONGWRITING PLEASE REFER TO THE ABOUT SECTION BELOW)

*** Studio Equipment ***
COOL AMENITIES AND CONVENIENCES TO JIMI'S STUDENTS

Private entrance to the studio with a fantastic sitting and waiting area for parents with WiFi and DirectTV!

ACCESSIBLE BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND FREE AND EASY PARKING AVAILABLE

Studio is also very convenient and accessible to all MBTA Lines and there is also Free Parking Year Round in a very safe neighborhood.

PIANO, TECHNOLOGIES AND GADGETS

Studio has an electric piano/keyboard, full PA system, microphones and state of the art Vocal Technologies and cool gadgets professional singers use. Karaoke and Production Tracks can also be used and one of Jimi's really cool gadgets removes vocals off regular CDs if students can't find a Karaoke Version of song they're performing. This allows every student to sing with cool equipment in the best setting possible. Students may also play their songs through their IPODS and our WiFi capability allows us to download songs from YouTube as well as give us the lightning fast ability to download songs and Karaoke from the MP3 download service.

MUSIC LIBRARY OF OVER 80,000 SONGS

Jimi Z's complete Music Library which is updated monthly with 80 new songs per month has over 80,000 songs spanning from 1930's/1940's Swing/Big Band era through all decades into our current decade. Jimi's 30 Years of being a teacher since 1981 allows him to know a lot of songs from all eras. Jimi can accompany his student's lessons as well and help you with correct song choices from the enormous library of music available.

STUDIO EQUIPMENT

Studio Equipment includes a Full 16 Channel PA System with JBL Speakers, TC Helicon Voice Monitors, TC Helicon Voice Live, TC Helicon Voice Pedals, JBL Wedge Monitors, VAM Acoustic Monitors, MP3 Recorder, Cassette Recorder, 2 PC Computers and a Professional American DJ System.

VOCAL THERAPY PRACTICE IS AVAILABLE WHEN NEEDED FOR CLIENTS WITH VOICE DISORDERS OR VOCAL ISSUES

Jimi's Voice Therapy Practice allows recommendations for Vocal Health Products such as Vaporizers and other products to keep your voice healthy. Our direct affiliation with major Ear, Nose and Throat Hospitals and their associated physicians can make your vocal health experience not only better for your voice in general, but we have direct access to reputable Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists that we work with in tandem that are experts in every medical voice disorder if you have any complications with your voice or your larynx overall.

*** Specialties ***
McClosky Voice Technique, Alexander Voice Technique, Bel Canto Voice Technique, Jimi Z. Modern Voice Method. Being a voice-over actor and previous Broadway actor, I also use a lot of drama in performance styles.

rograms, Samsung laptop and two Dell PCs,

*** Specialties ***
Jazz improvisation, funk, pop/rock, recording techniques, rhythm section,

, but can assist you in making the right choices to navigate your own way in the business. I offer private coaching to actors in theater and film, and singers in the US and abroad. I would love to share my knowledge and experience with you.

*** Lesson Details ***
I offer private coaching to children, teens, adults who have an interest in acting or singing performance, and for those who simply have an interest in performing or speaking in front of others. In addition to coaching those who wish to better their skills in acting, voice and speech, and singing, I also offer coaching for non-actors; i.e., attorneys, business professionals, teachers, politicians, pageant participants, and other creatives, who want to improve their public speaking and communication skills.

*** Studio Equipment ***
High definition, quality camera for video and stills
High quality lighting equipment and MAC monitor
Ideal for video auditions and on-camera classes

*** Travel Equipment ***
High definition, quality camera for video and stills
High quality lighting equipment and MAC monitor
Ideal for video auditions and on-camera classes

*** Specialties ***
Acting for film, TV, theater, and commercials
Audition Etiquette and Technique
Light Career Coaching
Agent Ready Coaching
Voice and Speech
Public Speaking
Neutral American Speech
Singing; including Musical Theater

w music thoroughly, not just to “play.” I desire my students to comprehend elements of the score, to use their bodies effectively to make good sound, and to interpret music creatively and according to historical performance practices across all genres of music. Thus, I give students a purposeful education in technique, quality literature, performance and artistry, music theory, and music history.

Although students differ in ability and development, I maintain high expectations for our students. I expect attention and respect in lessons, faithful and diligent practice, careful adherence to instructions, and an “I’ll-do-my-best” attitude. If students regularly meet these expectations, then they will excel to the level that they are able. It is my joy to help students master their music, to do the best they can, and to strive for and achieve excellence.

Lastly, I want students to enjoy and appreciate their instrument, music, and music-making; and I know as as a teacher, I am very influential in making this happen. Students develop enjoyment of music by understanding music, experiencing success in music, being exposed to good and varied genres of music, and receiving instruction from a teacher who is enthusiastic and encouraging. It is my goal to provide all of these opportunities for students, and as a result their lives will be enriched as they enjoy their instrument.

onal tours, released albums, are in bands, have been accepted into performing arts schools (high schools and colleges), have been cast in regional/Off-Off-Broadway/Off-Broadway Theatre, movies (Noah, The Wolf Of Wall Street, Finally Famous), music videos, and on TV (Royal Pains, Smash, 30 Rock, The Good Wife, Law and Order: SVU, & NBC's The Voice competition).

Owner/Teacher: Rachel M.
SAG-AFTRA, VASTA, NATS (certified), NARAS, NAMTA, BMI, MAC, NJMEA, NAfME. NJ Theatre Alliance, & Certified Artist Developer with Conquer Entertainment,
16+ years of teaching to children - teens - adults (Ages 6+ group classes, 8+ private lessons)

RACHEL M.'S BIO:

Rachel is a member of SAG-AFTRA, The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS certified), VASTA (Voice And Speech Trainers Association), NARAS (The Grammy Awards), NAMTA, NJMEA (New Jersey Music Educators Association), NAfME (National Association of Music Education), NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association,) MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs), The NJ Theatre Alliance, NSA (Nashville Songwriting Association International), and BMI (Broadcast Music Inc). She has been teaching Bel Canto singing technique for the modern singer and Stella Adler-Stanislavsky-Chekhov-Meisner acting technique for all mediums for 16+ years to children, teens, and adults.

Rachel has trained at The Hages Music Studio under a master teacher for 22+ years in the Bel Canto singing technique for all genres, studied at The Stella Adler Studio of Acting in NYC as well as recorded and released her first album called "Just Meant To Be". Other credits include commercials, films, TV shows (One Tree Hill, AMC, Food Network), music videos (including Rachel's singles "Don't Even Try", "You Will Love On"), & numerous stage credits (Off-Broadway/NYC Theatre). Rachel most recently was seen in the reading of a new play "Vanishing Son" by Peter Gil-Sheridan performed in NYC. She is also a songwriter (16+ years), scriptwriter (10+ years), director (14+ years), and an international recording artist (10+ years).

Rachel has been performing for 20+ years, has performed in front of sold out crowds, and has been honored with many standing ovations. Other honors include magazine covers, featured articles, singing to thousands of people, studio recordings/albums, originated the role of "Antigone" in "Oedipus: The Musical", 2002 Helen Hayes Nomination for" Outstanding Vocal Performance in a Musical" ("Miss Adelaide" in "Guys And Dolls"), & 2008 finalist for NYC Singing Idol Competition. Rachel has also been fortunate to have worked & performed with many people in the business including Grammy-Tony-Emmy Award Winners/Nominees.

LESSON DETAILS

Whether you are a parent looking for instruction for your child, or for yourself, Rachel can customize the right program that best suits your needs. Her students come from all walks of life and have different goals, but they all have one thing in common. They love performing and have the desire to be the best at their chosen craft (singing/acting).

Some students want to sing/act for themselves, others want to sing/act for a hobby, and others want to be professional performers. That's where Rachel comes in. No matter what your goals are, she can help. Rachel teaches her students how to become true artists without tearing them down and without taking away the part of them that makes them unique. She teaches healthy technique that is based off of the human anatomy; the science of how the body/mind works and how the body/mind can work as efficiently as possible while singing or acting.

Learning how to sing/act is a process and doesn't happen overnight. Rachel's ultimate goal as a teacher is to not only make her students the best performers and singers they can be, but also give them all of the proper tools they need to have a more productive mind frame and become self-sufficient. Of course this can take years to master. It takes time and dedication.

OTHER LESSON INFORMATION

SINGING: Bel Canto singing technique for the modern singer is taught in private and group classes. No one sounds like old opera singers, even if the student wants to sing opera. Students are allowed to choose most of the material they learn in the lesson. There will be times when Rachel will suggest a song to a student but if the student doesn't enjoy the song, they will work as a team to find a song that does work for the student. Gain a better tone quality, complete control of your voice, bigger range, more flexibility, and confidence. Learn healthy voice technique, how to fully take care of your own voice so you can sing for the rest of your life (even after lessons), and become a self sufficient performer for life.

ACTING: Stella Adler, Stanislavsky, Chekhov, and Meisner Acting Technique for Theatre/Camera is taught in private and group classes. All students are exposed to each technique and Rachel sees which technique each student responds to the most. Once the student and Rachel are able to identify the technique, Rachel continues to use the terminology of that technique for the remainder of the time the student is in lessons. Students eventually are able to play roles truthfully and realistically, even if the roles are opposite of the student's own personality.

BY THE TIME STUDENTS GRADUATE FROM LESSONS:

1. Gain a lifelong, solid, consistent, and healthy technique that they can always count on in practice and performance.

2. Gain specific technical and personal notes in a notebook and/or computer file that is organized and always accessible for review.

3. Gain artistry, performance skills, and a strong voice that will look/sound authentic; Singers will sound appropriate to whatever style of music they are singing. (No fake sound or look.) Actors will just be in the moment and truthful whether they are on stage or in front of the camera.

4. Gain the confidence to always put on a great performance.

5. Gain focus and a more productive mind frame.

6. Become self-sufficient by knowing how to assess a problem and then fix it without creating a new issue.

*** Studio Equipment ***
PRIVATE HOME STUDIO: Keyboard, speakers (smartphone, iPod, iPad), CD player, tape recorder/player, digital recorder, music stand, mirror, laptop, sheet music selections, HD video camera, tripod, video editing software, audio editing software, USB microphone, and high speed WiFi internet. Full PA, two mixers (one mixer with 8 inputs and the other with 4), 8 Lavaliere microphones ("body mics"), multiple hand held microphones, laptop stand, and music stands.

**ASK ABOUT ON LOCATION TRAINING (ON SET, THEATER, PERFORMANCE EVENT, OR RECORDING STUDIO)!

**ONLINE LESSONS ALSO AVAILABLE!

*** Specialties ***
We specialize in Bel Canto voice technique for the modern singer. Each student can sing all genres without sounding too classical, "fake", and without losing their voice while singing for long periods of time.

Other Specialties: Teaching acting technique for theatre-TV-Film (Stella Adler, Stanislavsky, Chekhov, & Meisner), performance skills, songwriting, and creating self-sufficient singers-actors-performers (Artist Development).

STUDIO POLICIES-

CANCELLATION: 48 hour lesson cancellation policy and emergencies (determined by me) are handled on a case by case basis. If the student needs to miss a lesson due to an other activity or vacation, they or their parents/guardian if under 18, must contact Rachel Menconi at least a week from their next scheduled lesson in advance to prevent from forfeiting the lesson.

MAKE UPS: Make up lessons will be scheduled when time allows. No make up lesson or class will be given to ‘no shows’ or late cancellation, and no extra time will be given to students who are late to their lesson or class. If there is ever a time Rachel Menconi is running late, extra time will be given to make the lesson a full 60 minutes. If Rachel Menconi needs to reschedule, a make up lesson will be scheduled as close to the same week as possible. Make up lessons are scheduled at Rachel Menconi’s discretion.

ONLINE LESSONS FOR IN-PERSON LESSON CLIENTS: In the event that the student is sick but still would like their lesson, an online lesson can be scheduled instead. Students can NOT come to their in person lesson sick, coughing, sneezing, with a runny nose, cold, flu, “allergies”, fever, etc. (This is to make sure no germs will be spread).

An online lesson can also be scheduled if there is bad weather, if a student is having car trouble, or any other reason for the student not being able to physically get to Rachel during their normallly scheduled lesson time. Online lessons are conducted through FaceTime, Google, Hangouts, or Skype.

SCHEDULE:
Lessons are weekly, on the same time/day of the week unless we have rescheduled or we have discussed in writing another lesson plan. If the student’s lesson falls on a holiday, we will either reschedule or if no other day is available, resume the following week.

LATENESS:
If a student is going to be late they need to contact Rachel Menconi as soon as possible, to let her know they will be late. Lessons will end on time unless she is able to extend the lesson due to a late student or her schedule allows for it though please understand, Rachel Menconi would be extending a courtesy and would not be obligated to do so. If on the rare occasion Rachel Menconi is running late, she will always make up the time.

SITTING IN:
Parents/Guardians are ONLY permitted to stay for the first lesson and are NOT permitted to sit in for any other lesson/class unless invited. This is to promote good/strong teacher-student relationship quickly and easily. Also, many times students feel more comfortable when their parents/guardians leave.
Of course there will be times when the parent will be invited back in at the end of some of the lesson to showcase progress.

"I try to be as fair as possible to both parties when it comes to cancellations, rescheduling, lateness, and make ups. Have a concern or question? Just talk with me. I'm all about communication!" - Rachel Menconi

, Turkey, Canada, and the Czech Republic. He has a firm knowledge of German, Italian, and French vocal repertory, diction, and languages while specialising in English diction for the non-native speaker and/or singer.

During his time in Orange County, CA, he held his own music studio. While there he taught over thirty students (Ages 5-45+) voice and piano privately. Additionally, he taught as a TA for UC Irvine int he subjects of Music Theory, Voice Performance, and an introductory music course for non-majors.

mainly musical theatre and classical repertoire.