Methuen Performing Arts Classes

forming and credits include: Young Simba in The Lion King on Broadway, Billy Eliot in Billy Eliot the Musical at Porchlighr Music Theatre, Child Spirit in the Magic Flute at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Adelaide (u/s) in Guys and Dolls at William Street Repertory, and other TV, commercial and Print Ad credits.

*** Lesson Details ***

I am energetic, positive, and specific. Singing can be easy and fun and I hope to instill that in all my students. I like to get work done while still smiling and laughing. In lessons, we will focus on properly using your breath and body to have the best technique possible. Whether you want to sing classical repertoire in your all-state choir, get into a competitive musical theatre BFA program, win scholarships, audition for Broadway or Disney, or belt a pop song better in your car/shower, I can definitely help you! Between 1 to 6 months, you can expect to have a stronger and fuller voice/sound, feel more confident singing/acting, and perform with more ease. We will stretch your vocal range so you begin to sing even higher and lower than before! I like to start the lesson with warm-ups and vocalizations, work in a little music theory, and then work on repertoire. I have many repertoire books and can help you choose songs that best fit your age, gender, and personality. However, you can also have the option of bringing in pieces you need to work on for auditions, shows, or just for fun! I encourage students to record the lesson so that you can practice between lessons and record notes if you are learning a song. I think music and theatre allows people to express themselves, gain confidence, and use their creativity/imagination. Great technique is a solid foundation for developing skills and individuality in your craft and a long career.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have an electric piano.

*** Specialties ***
Voice - Kristen Linklater, Alexander Technique, Doug Peck (musical theatre)
Dance - Modern, Jazz, Broadway, and Contemporary
Acting - Meisner, Stanislavsky, Viewpoints, Physical Theatre, Basic Acrobatics,

currently performing with various groups up and down the East Coast. Martina owns her own booking agency called Red Velvet Sounds and is cofounder and curator of the In Momentum concert series.

Martina is a social activist who is passionate about learning more about other cultures, helping to develop a sense for community, and fighting inequality and racism. She is a strong advocate of causes that promote equal human rights independent of religious or political affiliations. From 2009 to 2010, Martina was the founder and president of the Cultural Leaders Club at Berklee College of Music, where students investigated causes and effects in terms of race, gender, and ethnicity issues. Sonic Relief, which Martina cofounded, was awarded the Berklee Urban Service Award 2016 for using music to aid people in need.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I would prefer if students have a piano or keyboard at their homes. If not, I'm sure we'll find a way.

I do have a car.

*** Specialties ***
I love to work on improvisation, on finding yourself as a musician/an artist, helping students to find a way of coming from covering songs to a level of first steps towards writing songs themselves (including work on theory and ear training - helps to progress)

I feel comfortable teaching in the following genres:

- a cappella
- blues
- jazz
- soul/r n' b
- pop/rock
- electro/urban
- classical
- experimental

vidual path toward realizing their potential.

Here's a bit about my background and musical experience:

Bachelors of Fine Arts degree (Theatre/Voice) from United States International University Graduated Valedictorian
Chula Vista School of Creative and Performing Arts Graduated Valedictorian
Workshops and studying with Bill Doyle, Roy Mote, Andrew Barnicle, Jack Tygett, Leanne Summers, among others.

"After seeing Danielle, I was impressed with her intensity as a performer. Her ability to get behind a lyric was stunning, she lives every line. As an artistic performer, I've yet to see better."
-Tony Ferguson / Interscope Records: No Doubt, Bush, Fisher

My original band, Danielle and The Masses, has been recording and performing live since 2001. We are endorsed by Ani Difranco, The Black Eyed Peas, The Bruce Hornsby Band, and have shared the stage with artists as Jamie Foxx, CAKE, Metric, En Vogue, David Byrne, Berlin, Margaret Cho, Cyndi Lauper, Jonatha Brooke, Beth Hart, Semi Precious Weapons and more.

I have written and performed music and voice over for Ace Ventura, Nutty Professor, VH1, various TV shows and independent documentaries, Eveoke Dance Theatre, among others, as well as having recorded eight professional CDs of various styles on various record labels.

For over ten years, my record / production company, Say It Records has been producing socially conscious music events throughout San Diego and Southern California that promote independent music, film, art, community and human rights. I also co-own Durga Sound, a teaching and production studio, with producer Alicia Champion, as well as San Diego IndieFest, a powerful community event which promotes and supports music, film, art and civic engagement.

I have a great time utilizing my contacts in the industry to help my students get work/ press / entrance into the schools of their choice, etc. For example, I'm happy to report that just last year we were able to book eight musicians on GLEE, as well as lots more in other capacities including using their music in commercials and film and helping them get cast in local theatre and accepted into arts-centered schools.

*** Lesson Details ***
I start on the first lesson by becoming clear about what the new student's goals and desires are from there, we start developing technique to achieve those goals along with having fun right away doing what they came for - singing, writing, voice over, acting or using a combination of these things be it for professional purposes or personal fulfillment. Every lesson is personally customized to meet the specific goals of each student. As a teacher, I'm encouraging and fun, passionate and positive. While I'm definitely not "strict", I do appreciate focus and drive. However, I often work with people who have special needs and are working on developing those very things. I'm especially good at helping people through progress plateaus, roadblocks, stage fright, loss/ stress. Using music as a means of release and healing - for both kids and adults - is something I do a lot of and am very comfortable with.

As far as technique is concerned, I focus on utilizing posture, correct breathing and developing relaxed, strong support, so that the muscles are developed properly. We want the voice to develop without stress, enabling the student to constantly grow while steering clear of any injury that can happen as a result of straining, not to mention other habits that manifest when we sing without proper technique.

I strongly encourage students to record their lessons on a mobile device so they can practice easily on their own, and so they eventually have a record of how far they've grown.
We mostly use tracks to develop repertoire, prepare for auditioning and performances, and to have fun singing the music that excites each student the most.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Apple Mac Pro Quad Core running OS 10.8.3
Avid Pro Tools 10 HDX
Propellor Reason 4.0
UA 2-610 Microphone Pre-amp
UA LA-610 Microphone Pre-amp and Compressor
UA Teletronix LA2A Compressor/ Limiter
Behringer ADA 8000
more...

*** Specialties ***
Using music, writing and voice as a means of expressing yourself, growing as a performance artist, coping in challenging times, as well as a means of going professional and earning income are all areas I specialize in. Utilizing proper technique and learning how to sing / speak safely is also an area I focus on a great deal.

Learning precisely what each student wants is the key factor in my decision on how to achieve their goals. For example, using Speech Level Singing is definitely entrenched in my teaching, but I may not highlight it as much for those who want a more classical sound.

I excel with the following: first timers, very young kids, students working through stage fright, artists looking to develop their own original project, those seeking growth in their process of writing / recording / performing, those who are interested in using music and / or writing as therapy as well as with amateurs who've always wanted to do something musical but who think they are "too old" or too "untalented/short/tall/ fill in the blank" to try. I believe we all have something to say with our lives - finding the voice within you can be an incredibly powerful and transformative experience!

Media Arts, Public Speaking, and Ethnology. Designing percussion for stage and dance lead to studies and teaching of North and West African, Middle Eastern drum, Caribbean/South American and Asian drum and percussion rhythms. First hand experience has been gained by living in Morocco and South Korea for nearly a year each, studying and documenting folk music.

, 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.

e. I have a routine I do, that I will start students with, but am very open to modification based on student needs/desires.

I perform jazz professionally in Los Angeles, and have spent time touring in playing in the San Francisco Bay Area, New York, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Macedonia, Canada, and have performed or led groups internationally at the Umbria Jazz Festival, the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Tuscia Jazz Festival, the Angel City Jazz Festival and the Monterey Jazz Festival. You can hear my original compositions and playing on bandcamp or soundcloud.

between Manchester and Salem NH. Come help be a part of our story as we start our journey!