Watertown Music Lessons

nterested in exploring. I am also able to provide a solid foundation of proper breath management, vocal exercises focusing on pitch and technique, and sight-reading. My goal is for you to be able to thoroughly develop your skills as a singer and performer!

*** Lesson Details ***
I am laid-back but hardworking and expect an equal level of commitment from my students. I am primarily interested in teaching beginner-intermediate level pupils. Prospective students can expect to start each lesson with vocal exercises focusing on breath support, posture and pitch. Any professional performer understands the importance of warming up prior to performing! Once properly warmed up, you give your voice the range and flexibility it needs to sing beautifully and effectively! I encourage note-taking as well as recording the lessons either on cassette or even your cellphone to assist in practicing on your own between lessons. Depending on my students level of experience, I will then decide which songs to work on that would best fit your range and area of interest. Once a certain amount of progress has been made I will open the doors to my students deciding on songs they'd like to work on specifically as well. After 3-6 months, I would anticipate my students to be able to effectively warm-up their voices on their own through exercises we will have covered, at least a basic understanding of how to sight-read your melody and certainly have a handful of songs memorized and ready to add to your repertoire!

*** Studio Equipment ***
living room portable keyboard seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
I would bring my keyboard to each lesson unless one was provided (tuned pianos are okay as well). I would also bring music and texts that I would find beneficial to each particular student. I would expect my student to provide a journal to take notes and track progress. Also, though not necessary in all cases, I would expect my student to have sheet music for songs they're interested in learning as well as CD/cassette/MP3/etc. of songs they're interested in learning.

*** Specialties ***
I would start with a foundation of proper warm-ups, breathing techniques, and vocal exercises with me accompanying on piano. We would then spend the second half of the lesson working on songs primarily of my students choosing. I would be comfortable with just about any genre thus being able to cater to each one of my student's unique areas of interest.

ely,
Phil S.

Some press:

Phil's compositions showcase a variety of ideas and are quite effective at setting up the soloists to explore the various permutations suggested by his tunes. His compositional originality is matched by his incisive playing which ranges from "inside" lyricism to hard edged, riff based, screaming rock and satisfying surreal textures aided by his intelligent use of electronics."
- David Kane, Cadence Music

"With demonstrative technique, Phil is cognizant of the tradition but thinks outside of the box."
-Mark F. Turner, All About Jazz

. won a prize in memory of Bracha Eden for a most impressive performance during the competition " The Voice of Music " Jerusalem . In the United States in 2012, Ms. P. was the winner of the American Protégé International Competition of Romantic Music; recipient of the Grand Prize at the Metropolitan International Piano Competition; and the winner of the AFAF Golden Era of Romantic Music International Competition. In 2013-2015, Ms. P. was awarded the E.B. Storrs Piano Scholarship from the Musical Club of Hartford. Ms. She was also awarded the Cargill Foundation Prize in the 2014 Scottish International Piano Competition in Glasgow, and became a prizewinner at the Iowa International Piano Competition in 2015.

Liana graduated from the Donetsk Music Academy in Ukraine, and went on to earn her Professional Studies Certificate from the Manhattan School of Music in 2011. Her career continues with recitals in Hungary, Israel, Ukraine, USA, England, Syria , Canada , South Africa and Norway. Most recently, Ms. P. finished her Artist Diploma at The Hartt School of the University of Hartford . Currently Ms P residing in Boston.

Studio Equipment: Yamaha G3 Grand Piano.

Specialties: Traditional piano method. Classical music

dsmusic.com.

rawing, and singing. Students will learn fast and be happy at the same time!

cipated in masterclasses led by Betsy Bishop, Kathryn Cowdrick, and Martin Katz while in the United States, and in masterclasses led by Angelika Kirchschlager and Luigi Marzola while studying and performing in Europe.

Kristen holds a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance and German studies from Furman University where she graduated summa cum laude. She is currently working on her Master of Music degree in vocal pedagogy at the New England Conservatory of Music. Her teachers include Lisa Saffer, Ian Howell, Lisa Barksdale, Jill Feldman, and Trudy Fuller.

Kristen has also performed and directed in the musical theater world, participating in productions such as: Into the Woods, Les Miserables, H.M.S. Pinafore, Brigadoon, The King and I, Grease, Hello Dolly!, Cabaret, and many others.

In addition to her solo singing, she is an active choral singer, having performed in both small and large ensembles for more than 10 years.

dwa holds a dual Masters Degree (MM/MA) in Violin Performance and String Pedagogy from the Ohio State University, a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Longy School of Music of Bard College, and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Georgia.