Hyde Park, MA Flamenco Guitar Lessons

y to play percussion in the school symphony while at the same time developed an intense interest in the instrument that would become my true love, the guitar.

During 1996-98 I studied jazz guitar at the New World School of the Arts music program under the direction of J.B. Dyas and Dr. Roby George. Upon graduation, I was immediately accepted to the University of Miami jazz guitar program under the direction of Randall Dollahan. It was during this time that I also refined my skills as a classical guitarist and as a composer/arranger. In addition, I began passing my knowledge onto friends and eventually began working as a teacher.

My ability to play almost any genre of music is the fruit of past experience playing with an impressive variety of music groups, including jazz combos, symphony orchestras, Andean world music ensembles, and several rock and pop groups as well. As a studio guitarist I have recorded for various artists including Jaci Velasquez, Carlos Ponce, Alexandre Pires, and Noelia.

*** Lesson Details ***
Now also available to teach online video chat lessons through Skype.

Every one of you is unique and there are many possible paths to reach your goals in music.

With my background and music industry experience, I am able to customize my lessons for you so that you can reach your desired goals. We will take some time to find out where your passion lies in music and I will use my experience and knowledge to create a customized lesson-plan that will allow us to focus on reaching your desired goals and at the same time maintain a well rounded music education.

I find this to be key in making the lessons and your practice sessions very enjoyable, fun and laid back - knowing that everything we practice, play and talk about is in line with your goals as a student.

I will also be playing along with you and demonstrating everything that we're working on - music is meant to be shared and played with others and it is important to have that experience of interaction from early on in your lessons.

So whether it's learning to accompany yourself or others, write songs, read music, understand harmony, solo, or just jam out to your favorite songs, you will be well on your way to reaching your goals within 6 months of my lessons.

Look forward to making music with you!

Want to learn a quick exercise for mastering the fretboard on your guitar? Check out my article on the TakeLessons blog here: http://takelessons.com/blog/guitar-fretboard-chart

*** Studio Equipment ***
Living room w/ grand piano and seating for parents.
Room/studio with professional recording equipment - Logic Pro X recording software, Mackie HR824 Studio Monitors, Miktech C4 Tube Microphone, UA6176 Preamp/compressor, Apogee Duet D/A converter.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide my instrument and teaching materials.
Students provide their instrument, music folders.

*** Specialties ***
All styles - pop, rock, classical, jazz, blues, folk, ethnic, latin, soul

albums with various ensembles and bands. In college I already knew from my previous experience that I wanted to teach and pass on the joy that music brought to my life. I studied Music Theory and Jazz and finished my degree in Music Education. I have been teaching all in all for about 14 yrs. And I have enjoyed every minute I have spent with my students learning as much from them, as them from me. I am looking forward to meeting new and eager students who really want to bring their inner music out to share with the rest of us music aficionados! and develop their skills to the peak of their abilities.

*** Lesson Details ***
My teaching method ranges depending on the student. I believe in my experience that everyone learns differently, therefore everyone develops at their own pace. I try to find key strengths in each student and expose this to their advantage, using their abilities to further develop their skills, this method has shown the most promising results and students usually find themselves playing and performing just a couple of months after their first lessons. Part of my method involves a lot of performance and recital opportunities to help break any fears and inhibitions a student may bring with them. Music is about sharing, so an early exposure to this method helps to strengthen and stabilize a core acceptance of a students style and path, giving them and those close to them a very clear picture of their development and achievements.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Has all instruments at both his home and college studio

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide lesson material, song charts and a progression scale. I require student to have an Instrument and recommended technique literature.

*** Specialties ***
My classical training began in High School with Influences in Segovia, and Romero I studied classical for 4 yrs. and trained in Jazz and Improvisation with performances In Big Band and group ensemble. Also sang and played in the school gospel choir.

****Personal Statement*****

If you needed a reason

There is no question that music touches us instantly and activates images, emotions and memories that linger with us throughout our lives. As a casual listener or an obsessive music elitist, there are times in our lives when we get blown away by a sound so unique our entire body vibrates and resonates with the touch of something out of this world. I can honestly say when this happens to me I feel as close to a spiritual connection than anything I have experienced otherwise. I believe it is these exact events that have triggered my need to be completely involved in the making, performing and consuming of music. The creative process, to me, is the single obvious reason we exist in this world. We create and share, learn and interpret, build on previous ideas and inspire others to perfect upon this process. It is no doubt a very humbling experience to realize you are part of it all. During this process you come to realize how important you are as an Individual, how there is no other vessel like you in this world, nor has there ever been or ever will. You are here now and your voice, your talent, your gift is an instrument to the great choir of the human spirit. No one but you can relate this, a reason to be, to create, to give.

af" can learn to sing perfectly in tune, the most nasal or unappealing sound can be transformed into the most beautiful resonant tone, and someone with "no talent" can become better than anyone out there. With this superb method when you finish singing your voice will feel better than when you started! All it takes is desire, patience, perseverance, and above all, practice. I also have a unique and very patient teaching style that can make learning any instrument seem easy. Anyone can learn with my method of teaching.

It all started out in a small town called Chatham, NJ where I spent the first thirteen years of my life. I remember loving music as early as I could walk and talk. I started taking guitar lessons when I was seven years old. Along with the guitar, came a love for singing and writing my own songs. When we moved to Pennsylvania the guitar came with me. Throughout my high school years, I spent hours playing with teachers, fellow students and at parties.

When I was sixteen every week for three years I would drive an hour into Philadelphia, by myself, to study with world famous Artie Singer. His students include such names as Chubby Checker, Frankie Avalon, Al Martino, and Bobby Rydel. Artie co-wrote and produced two massive hit records “At the Hop” and “Rock ‘n Roll is Here to Stay,” both recorded by Danny and the Juniors. Artie was personal friends with Dick Clark and would bring him acts for his show.

While going to a Community College in Philadelphia the music teacher there took notice of me, pulled me aside, and told me about a great music school I should attend. He then sent away for the application and helped me fill it out. The next thing I knew I was in Boston attending Berklee School of Music! I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Jazz and Rock Composition, Arranging, and Guitar.

I had originally gone to Berklee intending to major in voice, however I had no luck with the vocal department there and ended up with nodules on my vocal cords. The damage was so significant that I had to stop singing during my four years at Berklee and turned to studying Guitar and Composition.

I tried every vocal teacher in town wanting more than anything to be a singer. What I found was no teacher could help me and it seemed obvious that even though they had the “big name” they didn't know what they wt. I was losing hope. The combination of this roadblock and my persistence led me to the greatest thing that ever happened in my life....... I met Dante Pavone!

I kept hearing about a singing teacher named Dante Pavone. Since I had already tried everyone else, I decided to give him a shot. On my first lesson with Dante I noticed a big difference. My throat didn't hurt at all and a real voice was coming out of me. I was cured!

Dante’s studies were extensive and he had doctorates in voice, music history, psychology and many other subjects. He was the most intelligent; insightful person I have ever met in my life and not only taught me about voice but taught me many things about life. He one time told me that he had a more profound knowledge of all the fine singing muscles than anyone else.

Dante was the first; a “pioneer” in popular singing, breaking from the traditional operatic style. He taught, or was contacted by, such singers as John Lennon and Paul McCartney (Beatles), Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones), Aretha Franklin, Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane), Steve Tyler (Aerosmith), Peter Wolf (JGiles Band), James and Livingston Taylor, Faye Dunaway, Tom Jones, Donna Summers, Jonathan Richman, Julianna Hatfield, Andy Pratt, at their prime and the list goes on and on. Once John Lennon and Paul McCartney showed up unannounced at his door handing him a blank check! Singers from New York City Opera Company used to sneak away from their teachers and come to Boston to study with Dante who would cure their wrecked voices from their famous opera teachers they had in NY. Best Singing Teacher in the World!

I studied with Dante every day for the first couple of years and then two or three times a week after that for fifteen years until his demise in 1998. I never missed a lesson! He gave me over a four-octave range where I started with only a five-note one. Not only did he improve my pitch and tone, but I can now sing and scream all night, if I want to, and never have a single vocal problem. In fact the more I sing the better my voice feels!

One day at my lesson Dante asked if he could pass his method down to me. This has been a great honor to me and although many teachers try to emulate his method I am the only one with a certificate as seen above. Not only was Dante my mentor, but still to this day he is the most important person I ever encountered in my life and was my best friend. We were very close and he would spend hours talking to me at lessons not only about music but about many fascinating subjects and opened my eyes to many incredible things.

Thirteen of my songs were chosen to be in one movie called Getting Personal and other songs in the movies Fillbilly and Dykeotomies. My band has won world contests.

I have also studied piano, guitar, and drums extensively and teach all instruments. I studied for years with late great world renowned Charlie Banacos and John Horrigan. Besides teaching I am a songwriter, dancer, actress, film maker, audio engineer and producer as well. I can help you record your songs!

Since 1982 I have written hundreds of songs and have been performing and recording my own music in major New England and New York venues. I've also won awards for my band "Girl on Top."

Breathing
If a teacher tells you breathing is not important you should be concerned. Let me help you to develop solid breathing and correct singing posture. An instrument only sounds as good as it's built. As we build your instrument your range, strength, resonance and stamina all improve. There is no end to how good you can get.

All Styles
The greatest thing about this method is it does not give you a style. You develop your own style! The student brings in songs they want to work on. Pop, rock, hip-hop, alternative, country, progressive, blues, jazz, swing, broadway, folk, rap, r+b, gospel, hardcore, screaming at the top of your lungs (if you want to).

All Levels
I teach all ages and presently have students from three years old to students in their seventies.  Beginners to advanced, adults to elderly, children, kids, and pre-school.  Dante taught me that I can improve a person’s life by teaching them music. He’s certainly improved mine. I hope you will let me help to improve yours.

Vocal Therapist
My method is guaranteed to cure any and all vocal problems or damage you may have from singing or talking: nodules, pitch, range, tone, endurance, etc.

Sing with no break
Have a smooth, multi-octave range. Sing any note the way you like: high or low, hard or soft.

No end to how you can improve
As long as you practice using this method, there is no limit as to how you can improve your range, tone, strength, flexibility, vibrato, phrasing, etc. Let me help you transcend fear, anxiety, and stage fright and replace it with technical ability and self-confidence.

Coaching and Stage Presence
We work on songs that the student brings with them to lessons. Using acting techniques, I help them understand the true meaning of the song and how to convey it to an audience.

Guitar Lesson
Learn easily the basics of rhythm, notes and chords.  Start with the basics and move into learning to play songs that you love. Incorporate learning to sing and play guitar on your favorite tunes.  As the student becomes more confident the lessons move into learning advanced voicing, improvisational techniques and chord solos.  All styles, all levels, all ages.

Piano Lessons
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced professional, any age is welcomed. Learning to play the piano can be lots of fun and very rewarding with practice, persistence and the proper instruction. Learn easily the basics of rhythm, notes and chords.  In the first lesson you will be able to play with both hands.  As you continue lessons it will be fun and exciting to learn to play popular piano pieces.  The more advanced student will have fun learning to improvise and play chord solos.

Drum Lessons
Learning to play the drums is really easy and fun with my method!  Start by learning how to hold the sticks and position yourself at a full drum set.  At the end of the first lesson you will be able to play beats.  With each lesson new beats, styles and exercises will be added.  As you get more advanced the student can bring in songs they want to learn.  This method is perfect and easy for any beginner or more advanced student.

Bass Lessons
The bass is what holds the rhythm of the band together and provides the foundation and bottom for the chord structure.  The student is taken in a step by step method that is easy to understand starting with learning basic notes, rhythms and finger exercises.  As the student becomes more advanced they can bring in songs that they would like to learn.  All styles, ages and levels.

Ear Training
Developing your ear is essential for any serious musician.  We start by learning to sing simple melodies and rhythms and as the student progresses move to more challenging ones.  Also incorporated will be learning notation and chord and pitch recognition.
Song Writing
Learn to write songs like the pros.  Karen D. has written over two hundred and fifty song.  Let her expertise help you learn the secrets fast.  We will work on song structure, theory and lyric writing.

Theory and Arranging
Karen D. is an honorary graduate of Berklee School of Music in Boston.  There she acquired a degree in Jazz Composition and Arranging.  She will teach you about notes, intervals, scales, chord structures and how chords work together.  Also, you will learn how to arrange a song by adding drums, bass, guitar, horns, strings and whatever your heart desires.

Instruments-All Styles

Voice
Vocal Therapy
Nodules
Polyps
Breathing
Strength
Range
Coaching
Stage Presence

Extras
Theory/Arranging
Song Writing
Ear Training
Apple Computer Skills
Final Cut
Logic

Stringed Instruments
Acoustic Guitar
Autoharp
Banjo
Bass Guitar
Dobro
Dulcimer
Electric Guitar
Gottuvadhyam
Guitar
Harp
Lap Steel Guitar
Lute
Mandolin
Pedal Steel Guitar
Sitar
Ukulele
Veena
Zither

Keyboard Instruments
Acoustic Piano
Clarinet
Electric Keyboards
Harpsichord
Keyboards
Organ
Piano
Synthesizer

Percussion Instruments
Bongos
cajon
Castanets
Celesta
Chimes
Congas
Cymbals
Double Bass / Kick
Drums
Drum Set
Glockenspiel
Marimba
Snare Drum
Tambourine
Timpani
Tom Toms
Triangle
Vibraphone
Xylophone

Bowed Stringed
Cello
Double Bass (Acoustic, Upright, Stand-up)
Fiddle
Viola
Violin

Woodwinds
Accordion
Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
Clarinet
Contrabassoon
Double Reed
English Flute
English Horn
Flute
Flutes
Harmonica
Melodica
Oboe
Piccolo
Pitch Pipes
Recorder
Saxophone
Single Reed

Brasswinds
French Horn
Pan Flute
Piccolo
Recorder
Saxophone
Trombone
Trumpet
Tuba

Testimonials

Karen D is the numero uno female singer in Boston.

Karen made the lesson fun and highly personalized. Karen wanted to know about my current skills and what I wanted to achieve. She then based our lesson play on this information. Excellent!

I don't know how much you remember of me, but you were my favorite voice teacher! I adore/d you and hope all the best for you! I used to walk across Copley Square to your studio for my classes. I remember vividly and I also remember my homework. I will always recommend you highly. Next to my band director you were always my best teacher. Know what? Love you Karen! You are the best! I wish every great thing for you.

Karen is an amazing teacher. She's patient, hard-working and dedicated. She has a lot of musical background experience and knowledge. She's also a cool person!

In American Idol, Haley did great on her solo, clearly the best. I was really impressed I hope you are doing well…we will see you at the next lesson.

Karen is a great teacher. She is extremely patient and encouraging. She also has a great method in building up strong muscles for singing. When I first met her, I could barely match the notes. She encourages me all the time and guides me through the tough period. Now I can match up to High C. She is also very great at Guitar, and has a very good way teaching. I really love her.

Thank you so much for the encouragement. I didn't get much of it when I was growing up that's probably why I never put any effort in pursuing my dream of becoming a musician. I am going to use your time for deeper understanding. I wasted a lot of time in the past I could of been much more educated by now if only i would of had focused and pushed myself. Our time together made me realize many things about myself what i should have done in the past and that I'm very impatient that's probably the main cause of why i never bothered learning anything worth learning... I admire people like yourself who encourage artists to do what they love. Thanks again.

Karen is an awesome teacher with patience and excellent methods to help people sing. She taught me the singing techniques and mostly importantly gave me confidence to face my weakness and sing once more. Patient, nice, and remarkable capability.

Thank you for being such a great teacher and friend!

Thanks for all your help. It has been a revelation.

I finally took your advice and have been doing my practicing every day. As a result, my choir director, Wendy, came up to me after the service and said, "you might become the lead soprano singer if you keep working with that singing teacher of yours, Karen.

Back from a week in New England...great trip...both reunion shows went very well...the audiences loved them. Thanks for your help in getting my voice  ready.  We had five hour rehearsals last Monday and Tuesday, and then shows on Wednesday and Thursday.  My voice was stronger Thursday night than any of the three previous nights.  That's a tribute to you and Dante, and I am grateful. Take care, and let's stay in touch...

Thank you for all you’ve taught me. I know your way is the real way. I hope to have the opportunity to learn more from you in the future. You’re the best!

Hey Karen! How are you?  I'm over that horrible sickness.  I went to rehearsal tonight and what's coming out of me keeps getting better.  Just the look on everyone's face was awesome.  More importantly I can finally express everything inside me.  Thank you so much!  The only problem I have is when my back get's tired.  After an hour it get's tough.  There's so much I want to go over with you.  I'm your biggest fan!  Thanks is not enough.

I know with the voice and lessons it can be like anything else one needs to improve, two steps forward one step back.  However, I have to tell you, I have really made a breakthrough in the last week, starting last Thursday.  For some reason "all of a sudden" my voice is stronger, clearer, I don't get hoarse as quickly, I can sing longer and "harder"/higher, my voice isn't so raspy the next morning, on and on.  Yeah -- the lessons are really working, as I believed they would.  Bless you and the spirit of Dante.

I threw Dante's name into the search engine and found you. My sister, Tina Sanderson, quit high school in 1967 and moved from long island to Boston and found Dante.  I was at Berklee at the time for flute. I was amazed what he did to her already fabulous voice! When Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane/Starship) went to prison, they asked Tina to fill in, but decided not to do anything until Grace was out.  Unfortunately, two days before recording for Irwin Levine (tie a yellow ribbon....) she died in a car accident.
Anyway, I am very happy to see that Dante's message is not lost with the Master.  i will keep you in mind for anyone wanting the best techniques.

Hello Karen, I found your site through a google search of Dante. I was thinking about him and thought I’d see what I could find. Yours was the first site that turned up and I was very happy to have found it. Even back in 1981 and 1982, when I was with him, Dante was looking for a successor. I’m very glad to have found you. I am also a bit envious that you were wise enough to stay with him until the end. It was my every intention to do that, however, as a teen at the time on my own living in Boston, I let certain emotional issues cloud my judgment and left Dante in 1982 and came back to New Jersey. I must say that I was filled with sadness to find that Dante passed in 1997 and that I made no effort to contact him or study further before that time. What an opportunity it was ever to have met the man! I was with him for a year and applied his method for many years after. I’ve recently gotten back more into singing, I am a guitarist as well, and probably would want to start lessons with you. I was a voice major at Rowan University for a year and half, but actually would rather study by Dante method. Dante was very dear to me. I loved him very much. The year with him was one of the best times of my life with some of the fondest memories.

Hi Karen glad you had a great gig. Nothing was touching the pain, but when I sing it is so intense it doesn't matter. I didn't sleep at all last night, and I felt like crying! I went to my second project today and I think there is an ungodly potential there. I did a little recording last night (just me) so you could hear what you never hear in lessons. I am the singer I always wanted to be thanks to you and I know it's only going to get better! Oh well for now it's ice hot bath and rest.

Karen, even though it was sort lived, coming to you for lessons was one of the best things I've done. It's really gotten me back on track. Dante's scales are so balanced. I was getting into really bad habits especially with the e vowel. With those exercises I'm now placing the e vowel where it should be. I can sing all night again and feel nothing in my throat. When I went to university, the vocal scales weren't balanced. Dante's balances the e's with the ah's and when you got that, you've got it all. This is how I remember it as it used to be. As I said before, I'll be back.

Thank you so much for your wonderful lesson with great encouragement. You are the best music teacher I could ever imagine. How I wish I had met you earlier. 

Karen is a wonderful, sensitive, teacher, who will work with you no matter what style of singing you prefer. For over 6 years I have taken voice from her and my range and confidence increased by leaps and bounds!

Karen is a committed, dedicated and extremely talented teacher.  The unique techniques I  learned in studying with her have greatly improved my singing,  the quality of my voice, and my range is far greater.  I am able to sing notes I would not have thought possible.  Karen loves what she does and every lesson has been an extremely enjoyable learning experience.

Dear Karen, I wanted to thank you for teaching me.  I'm very happy that I decided to take lessons with you and I was able to achieve my goal.  Before I came to you I was not happy with my singing when I hit Bb above middle C and up, but I feel more comfortable with those notes after the lessons with you, and of course, doing the exercises and scales does wonders.  You even got me to vocalize an octave above that Bb and beyond in less than six weeks. What I learned was so precious because it's not something you can learn by reading, but it's something I could only learn by actually having someone coach me in physical coordination.  It was a very interesting experience and a hard work.  I sing almost everyday, so I do notice the difference in my voice from day to day.  Thank you so much.

Karen has been an amazing teacher. I have taken piano, guitar and voice lessons from her for over the past year. I had no prior musical knowledge (or native ability) but yet within 4 months she coached me through preparation for a show singing and accompanying on guitar. While I have much to learn I feel that Karen, with her dedication to her students and wonderful teaching ability, has truly helped me to succeed beyond my wildest expectations.

Dear Karen, So happy to see you're still doing great..I could never in words express my gratitude towards you for teaching me about music, life, and piano..(as well as the wonderful course for drums and everything else) Thank you.

HI Karen, Thank you so much for being such a great mentor and friend of mine:) Thanks for inspiring and encouraging me all the time. Love you.

Thank you so much for your wonderful lessons with great encouragement. You are the best music teacher I could ever imagine. How I wish I had met you earlier. 

Hey, "Coach" -- hope this finds you well.  We played two shows in Vermont two weekends ago, and my voice was excellent.  I've been diligently doing my scales, my stretching exercises, and singing rock songs about 45 minutes a day since the book launch party last August, and it really paid off.  I sang lead on two songs I couldn't even reach last summer.  And I sang our "signature" song, "All Along The Watchtower" probably better than I ever sang it back in the 60s and 70s.  My voice held up through two rehearsals, two sound checks, and two shows, and was stronger at the end than at the start.  In fact, we had a jam session after the second gig and I sang "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder and I have never been able to do that one. So, thanks to you and our dear, departed Dante.

Just wanted you to know that I have continued to work on what you taught me with excellent results.  This past August, at the book launch party, I sang lead on a song which I could not do in 2010 (and I could hardly have done any of my leads in 2010 without your help).  In the six months since the book launch party I have done all my breathing exercises every day, except one single day, without fail.  The result has been that as I sing along with records (which I do about 4-5 days a week) I can now do about a dozen leads on songs I sing with regularly, which I couldn't do six months ago in August.  All this stuff re the voice is only to say a HUGE THANK YOU for your help and your teaching.  Clearly, the Dante method works for geezers, also.  I am amazed at what I can sing that I couldn't get to a year ago, or even 6 months ago.  Plus, a couple of weeks ago I sang 11 days in a row (45 to 60 minutes each day) with no problems at all.  It's so much fun to be able to really sing again...:-)

I'm not sure if you remember me but I took web lessons with you about a year an half ago. Life, however got in the way, and I had to stop. My schedule is now much freer, and I happen to once again be on the same time zone that you are on. I was hoping to begin taking vocal lessons with you again. You are by far the best vocal teacher I have ever had, and my voice really misses your training.

i am happy to tell you about my experience and opinion of Karen. i have been taking voice with her since 1996. I starting to sing in a choir as a soprano at my old church. i struggled to hit the notes and in doing so was straining my vocal chords. i went online to read about strained vocal chords and got scared when i read that they sometimes get nodules a need surgery. i decided i wanted to learn proper technique and searched for a vocal teacher. i read Karen’s bio and discovered that she too had suffered strained vocal chords and got relief through Dante Pavone’s method of teaching, and now she is certified to teach the same method. Since i started with her i have no problem in my throat and i sing way better. Even my body looks better because the exercises that the student does strengthen the lower back so that it can support the ribs properly and has given me a better figure.  i still sing in a choir at my new church and i have gotten many compliments on my voice from many people. At this point i will tell you that i do not practice all of the breathing and scales as often as i am supposed to due to my being a wife and mother of two teenagers, which keeps me very busy and running. That said, i still have made great progress with Karen.
Another more personal note is that a person would be hard-pressed to find another human being as loving as Karen. She’s very caring beyond just voice lessons. My husband has been taking drum lessons from her for three years now and he feels the same way about her, and he doesn’t usually trust people easily. Karen is very well educated and very intelligent. She is a tough but kind teacher. She watches her student like a hawk and doesn’t miss a trick. She corrects gently and never makes you feel badly about yourself. She’s very encouraging. i try never to miss a lesson, because i always leave there in a better mood than when i arrive.
i hope this helps you to decide. You may think...whats with all of this breathing and posture? Trust the technique. it really works without pain or strain of the vocal chords, which means you can sing for the rest of her life and not just a couple years and have to quit due to nodules.

 
Forty years ago I was a lead singer in a New England rock band and I was tearing my throat up.  I was hoarse after every gig and regularly lost my voice entirely after two or three nights.  Then I became a pupil of Dante Pavone in Boston and a remarkable transformation occurred.  Dante’s method was hard work, and it depended on following his advice precisely.  But working with Dante I was able to correct my bad habits, improve the clarity, quality and range of my voice. I could go seven nights in a row and not lose my voice.   Forty years later my band is getting back together for several reunion shows, but I have not sung professionally since 1971.  Fortunately, I found Karen, a protégé of Dante’s, and took webcam internet lessons (she is in Boston, I in Virginia).  All the benefits of the Pavone method re-appeared.  I gained back three octaves on my range and my clarity, strength and pitch all greatly improved.  The Dante Pavone method is still as great as ever and Karen is the ideal voice coach to teach it – a perfect blend of encouragement and pushing. 

Saturday, for the first time after studying with you for over three years and not practicing, i forced myself to do what you have been telling me all along: to practice. The next day my husband came to the early church service with me and told me that when the choir sang the "anthem", which  is our main piece in the service, that he could really hear me and that i sounded really good. Then i had another small rehearsal afterwards with the choir for a new piece for future. After that i was walking down the hall to leave and my choir director caught up to me and said, "You are sounding really good!" i said, “Really?” She affirmed, so i told her it was because my singing teacher is telling me i had better start doing my breathing exercise so i finally listened. She said it was paying off. Today i plan to do all 30 of each again. As much as i don’t understand why it makes so much of a difference, i now know it works and i know also that you are a very smart and driven person and that you would never steer me wrong. so thanks.

I called my brother (he used to back up Taj Mahal) to ask about when Grace Slick studied with Dante.  When my sister was studying his method I met Dante once or twice.  At the time I was making costumes for the New York City Opera Company and was one of Beverly Sill's dressers. Dante kept saying that Beverly was going to blow out her voice.  I remember that several opera singers used to sneak away from their appointed vocal coaches in NYC to catch some time with Dante.  Dante would have to cure all the vocal problems that their so called “famous” NY coaches were giving them.

I was thinking about Dante recently. I just got a gig in Switzerland coming up in April and even though I'm a sax player (Berklee alumnus) I will be singing a concert there. I pulled out all of my old hand written Dante notes and oddly I realized the system and its ease after twenty years. What I'm saying is "voila" now it all came back to me and I’m singing with a fair amount of ease up into my head, stretching my range and feeling really great. Anyway, I googled his name and your name came up associated with Dante's, and rightfully so. I was always amazed by him, but now I'm amazed at what he was always trying to tell me even though he saw me as a great student.  I know that one website that came up under someone's name (associated with him) mentioned that he had passed away. I think he was 76 when he taught me. I remember he mentioned your name to me many times in the 80's. I moved to LA after Berklee and I talked about him with the highest respect and felt very lucky to have studied for a long time with a genius and true master of the human anatomy. Keep up the good work! I just wanted to say hello and let you know that I'm glad you're carrying on his legend.

Thanks for your help in getting my voice ready.  We had five hour rehearsals last Monday and Tuesday, and then shows on Wednesday and Thursday.  My voice was stronger Thursday night than any of the three previous nights.  That's a tribute to you and Dante. I am grateful.

Karen I have to tell you I have really made a breakthrough since I started studying with you. My voice is stronger, clearer, I don't get hoarse as quickly, I can sing longer and "harder"/higher, my voice isn't so raspy the next morning, on and on.  Yeah -- the lessons are really working, as I believed they would.  Bless you and the spirit of Dante.

Every day, since studying with you, after I sing my voice is clearer and stronger when I am finished. You’re a great teacher!

Thank you for all you’ve taught me. I know your way is the real way. I hope to have the opportunity to learn more from you in the future. You’re the best!

I studied with one of the supposed most famous vocal teachers in America. After a year of studying this particular method I couldn’t even get through one rehearsal or four songs at a gig with out vocal blow out. When I came to Karen I had severe vocal damage from studying with this supposed other “famous” teacher”. On the first lesson with Karen my voice was cured and after four lessons I played a gig and my voice felt better than before I started singing and the next day I was not hoarse at all. This is the best vocal method I have ever studied in my life as I have studied with many other teachers before Karen that also damaged my voice. If it weren’t for Karen and the Dante Pavone method I surely would not ever be able to sing.

My daughter did great on her solo, clearly the best.! I was really impressed. I hope you are doing well…we will see you at the next lesson.

Had a great lesson with Karen today. I expected the usual tongue and lip rolls and of course the long lectures on what to avoid to keep a good voice, but i got something much better. :)

I went to rehearsal tonight and what's coming out of me keeps getting better and better.  Just the look on everyone's face when I sang was awesome.  More importantly I can finally express everything inside me.  Thank you so much!  I'm your biggest fan!  Thanks is not enough.   

I just wanted to let you know that my gig on Saturday went GREAT!!! My voice felt really good and I didn't feel strained at all. I'm so glad I took the breathing exercises that you showed very seriously. I don't know where I'd be without you.

Once again you have my deepest thanks for what you've opened to me vocally. I still can't believe it. Every time I open my mouth to sing I get better and better! Also, thank you very much for the great encouragement.

I just wanted to say again how happy I am that I met you. My progress is more than I dreamed of and I know I'm not all the way yet. I also have come to regard you as a friend. I truly wish you all the success you dream of.

Before studying with you I always felt like crying because I could never get my voice to work properly. You have showed me the potential there. I did a little recording last night so I could really hear the huge difference and in just a few lessons. I am becoming the singer I always wanted to be thanks to you. I know it's only going to get better!

My voice keeps getting better and better every day.  I would say that you have 100% given me all the ability and more than I could have dreamed of.  You definitely delivered the goods.  I've grown from skeptic to true believer. The last two weeks, but especially the last couple of days, I have transformed into an altogether more dynamic singer with a pitch increase of at least an octave.  Every note becoming as soft or as loud as I want it to without strain or effort!  God bless you. I know that it's going to only get better from here!  Did you ever see the matrix we're the guy says why oh why didn't I swallow the blue pill.  That's how i feel about my choice some twenty years ago or more, when I saw your add.  Also the changes in my physique are truly unbelievable too.  Anyway thanks so much and I look forward to seeing you next week.

Hello Karen, Life is stranger than fiction!! I played an outdoor gig today! I sang for hours and had no problems. Afterward everybody was all over me. Makes all the sacrifice worth it. I learned a lot today. I sure hope it will continue. I live for this. Don't mean to sound like a broken record, but thanks so much for all you've given me the ability to do. I'm everything and more that I always wanted to be.

I so much value everything I've learned from you and I always looked forward to my lesson.  You are a very gifted teacher and your technique has really made a difference in my voice.  I never thought I could hit high C so effortlessly. Thank you, Karen.

It was great getting the first lesson from you. Saw how you rock from Dante's point of view.

Karen, You are wonderful. I love your personality and your lessons. I talked about you and your method to all my friends and co-workers and will always recommend you to anyone who’s interested in lessons.

Hi Karen, we're moving to New Hampshire tomorrow :-)  We're going to miss you a lot! You have played a very positive role in Brendan's life and for that I will always be grateful. I wish you nothing but happiness. Warm Regards, Rob

You have been such a blessing. I believe people don't just come into your life by accident.

Karen, coming to you for lessons was one of the best things I've ever done. It's really gotten me back on track. Dante's scales are so balanced. I was getting into really bad habits. With those exercises I can sing all night again and feel nothing in my throat. When I went to university, the vocal scales weren't balanced and I had vocal issues. Dante's balances the e's with the ah's and when you got that, you've got it all. This is how I remember it as it used to be when I studied with Dante.

I enjoy the music instruction and guidance which shows progress in a short amount of time. I have explored rhythm, melody, and harmony with various instruments for resemblance. Her personal studio at home is great for this.

Awesome!

s of music as opposed to just "picking and grinning", IE learning only "By Ear." I do specialize in music theory, and have many students taking lessons simply for this excellent foundation for songwriting also.

I am a classically trained guitarist that performs both as a soloist and for ensemble in a wide variety of styles. I graduated in 1996 from Schoolcraft College with an Associates degree in Music performance, and then, studying under the tutelage of Brian Roberts went on to receive my Bachelor's degree in Guitar Performance with a secondary in Jazz from Wayne State University in 2004. While at Wayne State and along the way I've performed and participated in several masterclasses with renowned artists: William Kanengiser, John Holmquest, Philip Candelaria, Jason Vieaux, Scott Tennant, and Antigoni Goni. I have also completed the teacher requirements for books 1-a and 1-b for the Suzuki Guitar Institute.

Many of my classical guitar and electric guitar students have went on to study further at the collegiate level, some achieving scholarships. My most recent students are current Berklee school of music graduates now in a band called "Flight of Fire", recently opened for Bonjovi this past summer and are getting air time on local radio stations... well on their way to living the dream! …the bulk of my students become full time professional musicians.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am an extremely patient person who has been teaching for over 20 years. I am laid back so there will be no pressure. With my electric and steel string guitar students, I host a special "Jam Session" 2 - 3 times a year to which will be one of your goals to participate in. This includes playing with a drummer, bassist, singer and another guitar player (usually me) and having it recorded. This should serve as your motivation to practice. This really eliminates the need for me to pull out a "yardstick" and "smack" your hands over the knuckles when not practicing your scales as many old traditional teachers may have done!

At your first lesson I will talk with you and give you examples of music that is played with a Flat-Pick, or music that uses the Finger-Style technique. This will be an important process as it will dictate which direction you will go in as a musician and especially during our lessons.

For the most part, playing with a Flat-Pick is generally used with the electric guitar and with most mainstream styles of music like "Rock and Roll", "Blues", "Rock-a-Billy" "Funk", and playing with the Finger-Style technique is used in styles like "Classical" and "Folk." After a while, I will introduce you to the other style of playing as well, as most great guitar players use both techniques in their playing...musicians (guitarists) such as: “Jimmy Page“, “Brian Setzer”, “Stevie Ray Vaughan”, “Joe Satriani”, “Lindsey Buckingham”, “Paul McCartney”, “John Mayer”, and many, many more.

To make learning the guitar Fun, I make sure to incorporate your main interest(s) first. Whether it be learning your new favorite song(s), learning how to write a song, or just learning some basics that you can use for when sitting around the campfire. This will be intertwined with which style you choose to start with: Flat-Pick or Finger-Style.

Pending on the level that you are starting at, (beginner, intermediate, advanced) I will include tidbits of music theory that will be used in a consistent manner. These will usually be progressive, pending on your level. For example, the songs you learn will be written out in an easy to understand chart that will have the fundamental aspects of theory (IE, chords, key, and rhythm pattern) that all musicians should understand.

With Children learning with a Flat-Pick, I encourage the use of a basic guitar instruction book.
Level One (beginners) :

"Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book One" by Will Schmid.

I will also use as a substitute for Level One:
"Alfred's Basic Guitar Method" by Alfred's Publishing Co.

More advanced players who can read music already (and graduates from book one) I prefer;
"Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book Two"

With Adults, I will ask if learning to read music interests you. It is a vital part of a practicing musician, but sometimes your needs may require a more one dimensional approach as time may be of essence. Again, I learned by ear and educated myself later...so I understand the person who wants to hold off on reading right away.

Students who want to learn the Classical (Finger-Style) approach will be encouraged to purchase a beginners book that I use written by one of my first instructors/mentor. It is a very intuitive book that covers the technique in great detail yet is very easy to understand (along with my help.) I will provide means of acquiring this book at your first lesson.

Students who want to learn the Folk (Finger-Style) approach will usually start in the above book, unless your an adult who just wants to learn some basics.

At your first lesson I will also provide you with documentation that goes more in depth about the various styles of guitar as the above info is scaled down.

*** Studio Equipment ***
-Amps

-Guitars (Electric, Acoustic, Classical, Bass)

- PA (loud speakers so you can Turn it Up! When playing along)

-Band in a Box (to play along with real prerecorded instruments seamlessly interleaved into a band type setting with almost unlimited genre choices...very impressive technology)

- Pro Tools (recording gear for all needs)

- Guitar Pro and Finale (to transpose music into sheet music)

-Skype (for out of town interactivity. Can do lessons via Skype)

-Basement with plenty of seating for parents, and or observers.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in Classical Guitar, Electric Guitar, and Acoustic Guitar; Improvisation, Songwriting, Backup Vocals, Fretboard Harmony, Music Theory, Performance, and Recording.

utes such as the "National Guitar Workshop" in New Milford Connecticut.

Jason has been teaching guitar for over ten years.

*** Lesson Details ***
Do you want to raise your level of guitar playing to the next level? Are you a complete beginner and would like to learn the basics like: chords, scales, and how to read music? Do you want to learn music theory? I can teach you all of these things. I am classically trained as well as trained in a wide variety of other genres of music. I am passionate about teaching you what YOU want to learn. I have taught students as young as three years old and as old as sixty! I can teach all levels of players from beginners to advanced . My goal is to find what you most enjoy about guitar playing and music and help you to develop it. I encourage my students to find their musical voice through their own personality, aptitude and individuality.

I teach various methods, which depends on what the student wants to learn. I am a firm believer in building proper technique. This is crucial for the Rock player as well as the Classical player.

*** Studio Equipment ***
lessons in studio with music stand, books, acoustic guitar(s), Electric guitar(s), amplifier, Cords.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide Music, Staff Paper, Music Stands. Will bring travel amp if necessary.

*** Specialties ***
I have experience as well as training in Suzuki method. I have experience teaching Classical/Rock/Metal/Pop/Folk

. Soon after, he was one of the first students to receive a full scholarship to Berklee through the African Scholars program. In 2009, he settled in Boston, Massachusetts.

At Berklee, he was exposed to a variety of influences, but wanted to go deeper into the roots of jazz and expand his knowledge of music. He auditioned and was selected to participate in the Berklee Global Jazz Institute, which is directed by Danilo Perez and the residency teachers, including Joe Lovano John Patitucci, and Terri Lyne Carrington. The Institute emphasizes an artist's original vision in jazz, and has helped Albino find his own unique voice in the art form.

Albino still felt the absence of his own Mozambican traditions in his music. With the help of his mentors, Richard Bona and Lionel Loueke, two of the most prominent African musicians in the United States of America today, he began to bridge that gap.

Today, Albino's music succeeds in combining many disparate parts into an organic whole. It incorporates his musical experiences from Mozambique, the U.S., and many other places around the world, combining rhythmic patterns and musical concepts to create a unique Moz-Jazz sound. He will always continue to combine and capture the energies of different musical traditions to create a unified and original musical style.

Albino's original composition “Mozambique Dance” was recorded by Jazz Revelation Records, a student-run record label at the Berklee College of Music, for the 8th annual album released in 2011. He also recorded “Awusiwana,” his own composition, for the Berklee 2012 summer album. His debut album, also called Mozambique Dance, is to be released in Spring 2013.

Albino is an active musician, and has performed in several countries including Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Italy, the U.S., and Mexico. He has also produced and recorded various projects in Mozambique and in the United States. In 2012, he will graduate from Berklee College with a degree in Music Production & Engineering and Performance, and a minor in Acoustics and Electronics.

*** Lesson Details ***
My teaching method dependent on the type of student. All my students will be treated with care and commitment to help them archive the their goals in the lessons.
We will be using book method as a way to follow a clear direction.
Learn songs, chords, scales, phrase, theory and more material that is needed for better musical foundation.

I am open to what the student wants to achieve over short and long terms.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Desk top and Laptop Mac Computers
Protools, Logic Pro, reason
Focusrite 56 Liquide, Focusrite Dual Mono Mic pre
BBe Maximizer
Bricasti, M7, sterreo reverb

*** Travel Equipment ***
Guitar
Guitar Amp
Mic
Laptop
Mbox

*** Specialties ***
Guitar
Bass Guitar
Voice
Ukelele
Song writing
Production
Audio Recording
Mixing
Mastering

ets, trios and performed in reputed concert halls and jazz clubs like Berklee Performance Center, Ryles Jazz Club, New England Guitar Festival, Prague Congress Centre, Hall of Bohuslav Martinu, Cultural Centre of Novodvorska, Jazz Dock, etc. I also performed for live TV show Terra Musica in Prague, also for Bohemian TV and recorded musical advertisement for famous magazine Reflex.

I have more than 10 years teaching experiences. I was a guitar and music theory teacher in Prague at variety music schools and I also had many private students.

I teach variety music styles and also music theory, sight reading, improvisation and arranging. My teaching style demonstrates dedication to fostering a positive learning environment to all students and maximizing individual student performance. The accomplishment I'm most proud of in my teaching career is that some of my students were accepted to Music Conservatory.

n my experience life and enriched my life and those around me.

I believe in the cultivation of a living musicality.

My approach emphasises the importance of process, exploration and discovery, as well as the study and analysis of traditional concepts. I propose, active listening to be the simplest form of composition. And as musicians an active ear is central, not only in practice, but generally, for creative evolution and innovation.

I've found the most effective methods effectively balance theory and practice.

I believe the biggest inhibitor to growth, musical or otherwise, is a lack of confidence. A lack that comes from too much pressure to produce idealized results-- fear of mistakes...

I embrace the developmental process,
I work with every student to make each lesson plan efficient, meaningful and inspiring.