Minneapolis, MN Speaking Voice Lessons

nals coupled with academic studies rebuilt my perception of how I was generating sound and their training gave me back MY VOICE, for which I am forever grateful. I combine knowledge from these studies and my own vocal exploration to re-build my voice in exercises that I share with students of voice.

I CAN HELP YOU REACH YOUR GOALS: My cross-training in dance, yoga, Tai Chi, commercial & improvisational acting provides a well-rounded platform from which to deliver information, guide vocal explorers and also help develop talent.

EXPERIENCE:
* 20 years teaching experience
* 12 years living & working in Los Angeles
* A lifetime of performing experience
* 12 years personal private vocal studies master teachers of bel canto & contemporary singing techniques.

LIFE SKILLS: No matter the subject, my focus is also teach skills that can be extrapolated into any area of your life. Life Skills focuses on eradicating negative self-talk and expanding communication skills that help develop confidence, enhancing daily life.

Between performing and my own artistic studies, I have been taking the occasional private voice student since 1997, mostly via referrals from friends and other students. While living in California, one of my voice teachers requested me as her regular substitute at Culver City and Santa Monica Music Schools from 2008-2012, which I felt deeply honored. She said she trusted me with their voices, which encouraged me into full-time voice teaching practice. In June 2012, I returned to Minneapolis and began teaching in my home studio through music services like Take Lessons. Past projects include producing a vocal showcase at The Ritz Theater, musical direction & choreography for a school's 2016 production of the Wizard of Oz; assisting students to prepare for local & national auditions like La Banda, The Voice & American Idol; prepping singers for studio recordings and congratulating a new student who's stepped out of the chorus to land her first lead role!

I am forever grateful to all of my teachers, past and present, for their valuable gifts of knowledge, skill, grace and compassion.

ENJOY LIFE MORE! Singing & dancing improves our quality of life.

*** STUDIO POLICIES ***

Always know that any personal data shared will be held in strict confidence.

STUDIO HOURS: EDEN PRAIRIE Central Standard Time
Mon-Thurs 10:00am-9:00pm
Fri 10:00am-6:00pm
Sat 10:00am-3:00pm
Sun 4:00pm-8:00pm

TRAVEL
Cost for travel is $1 per minute.

CANCELLATIONS
Mutual 24-hour advance notice agreement states both parties will respect the difficulty of planning schedules by providing 24-hour notice to change a reserved lesson time.

* Cancellations within 24-hours of lesson require a phone call or text
- Lessons not cancelled w/24-hour notice are the responsibility of the cancelling party to makeup

*** STUDIO EQUIPMENT ***

EDEN PRAIRIE: Lessons in separate "studio" room, electric piano, mirror, music stands, table for your water, chair. Parents/loved ones can lounge in the large comfortable lobby area, drink free coffee/hot chocolate, read, use the free Wi-Fi, or watch TV [see photos below].

has an experience unique to themselves. I am strict about meeting the goals developed by each student. However, the learning process is highly individual. You will learn at a pace and with a curriculum we develop to best suit your learning style, musical preference, and goals.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect students will have a keyboard or piano.

*** Specialties ***
Trained 10 years in classical voice and piano.
Undergrad in contemporary voice.
12 years of theatre experience

projects. Her song, "The Power of Faith," that she wrote for the Ever Increasing Faith broadcast can be heard all over the world daily on both television and radio. Because of her meticulous instruction, many of her students have gone on to obtain professional careers in the entertainment and music industry. Keisha Renee is currently a The Voice 2017 Team Blake competitor and has been back up singer and opener for the amazing R & B singer, JoJo. Keisha has also sang backups on the P Diddy 2016 Bad Boy reunion tour, she's also a member of Team Minaj as Nicki Minaj's main back up singer as well as numberous others. Julia Michaels, is currently one of America's leading songwriter/vocalist having sold 50 million copies of her songs worldwide and her newest single "Issues" has topped the Billboard chart. Julia was also the first American to ever sing for the closing ceremonies of the 2016 Olympics. Amber Riley, another of her students, was a main cast member playing "Mercedes" on the 10 year Award winning TV show, "Glee" and is currently playing the lead role of "Effie" on the Broadway musical, "Dream Girls".

As a teacher, I get immense satisfaction from seeing my students excel and fly using the techniques and tools that I have taught them," Cyndi says beaming with pride. "My students have done tremendous things in the industry and it is my pleasure to continue to pass down the nuggets of wisdom and skill that I've obtained from over 30 years in the entertainment business."

Cyndi's training began at age 8 where she studied classical piano for 6 years. By age 15, she and her brother released their first independent single which did reasonably well locally. By age 19, while studying music at Ohio University, she along with her brother won "Right On" magazine's nationwide talent search and were offered two major recording contracts. She decided to sign with Philadelphia International Records under the auspices of Grammy Award winning producer, Thom Bell (who was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame). She studied under Thom Bell and it was there that she learned the art of record production. She also studied vocal production under legendary Grammy Award winning producer, Hal Davis (Jackson five fame). Cyndi was taught proper vocal technique by vocal trainer to the stars, Seth Riggs and continued her private studies learning the vocal techniques of the great Alan Linquist. Her teaching style has subsequently morphed into a combination of all these great inspirational instructors.

As a teacher, Cyndi is kind, patient and extremely enthusiastic when it comes to instructing her students. Her students always see her as their friend and one who they know will bring out the best in them and desires that they grow to their fullest potential.

*** Lesson Details ***
When you come to Cyndi for voice lessons, you can rest assured that your vocals will never be the same. She is as comfortable teaching the beginner as she is instructing the seasoned professional who wants to hone their skills even further. She can always bring something out of you that you didn't know was there. Maybe it's the confidence that she exudes when she instructs, maybe it's her innate ability to know what's needed at any given time to make the student better. But whatever it is, you can rest assured that your lesson will be fun, thorough, and the lesson plan that she devises will cause you to arrive at the musical goals that you've set for yourself. She can help you or your child prepare for upcoming auditions, as well as any other scheduled performance. Cyndi will create a lesson plan that will certainly be tailor-made for your style and needs.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can bring my Cd player to play tracks etc....the student should have a recording device to record the lesson, whatever performance tracks we'd be working from, and a keyboard would be helpful but not necessary.

*** Specialties ***
My style of vocal training concentrates on singing in the 'Ng" position and using cuperto as the primary way to produce more tone with less effort. I also train my students to breath properly utilizing the lower lumbar area along with breathing from their diaphragm. I generally train vocal students in all genres of music and I stress stage presence in conjunction with proper vocal technique.

he University of Minnesota, Harmon Place Players, and the Rhombus Theater Company.

*** Lesson Details ***
Students can expect lessons to be structured while being tailored to their desires and goals. Mark likes to focus on what students want to learn while pushing them to challenge themselves. His goal is to “bring out the artist” in his students but he also understands lessons should be fun.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will suggest necessary teaching materials/books. Students need their own instruments.

*** Specialties ***
Rock, Jazz, Funk, Blues, Pop, etc

ing stage presence, memorizing music pieces, learning theory, and above all having FUN. I want each student to SHINE!
Students are offered performing opportunities.

*** Studio Equipment ***
The Shore Center Studio includes a keyboard in a private music classroom. Seating is available.

*** Travel Equipment ***
The student is expected to provide a piano or keyboard for lessons.

*** Specialties ***
I tailor make the sessions to the students.
I specialize in the genre of gospel and inspirational music.

years. Students who have studied with him come from a wide range of backgrounds with different goals. Those who have continued with musical studies in college have consistently placed out of at least the first two semesters of music theory and achieved advanced placement in their chosen fields of study. Those who chose a different path continue to benefit from the education and training they received from taking music lessons.

*** Lesson Details ***
There is no "standard formula" to lessons. Each student has their own unique background, needs, and goals. Lessons tend to be somewhat casual but are structured in such a way as to meet the unique requirements of the student.

To accomplish your goals, there are a few requirements and basic expectations that the student and parent must meet.
The first is practice. Students are expected to practice daily for at least the length of their lesson time. This, above all else, is essential to progress. It is also expected that a parent will attend lessons for students who are too young to drive themselves here. It's important for a parent to guide the student's practice time (particularly for younger students) to ensure that the most is gained from it. This is why I ask that a parent observe lessons.
Each student or parent should bring to each lesson a notebook, pencils (with erasers). The notebook will be used to record notes about each lesson, homework, practice advice, etc. Pencils (not pens...nobody's perfect!) are used by composers to record their creations and performers to mark their music. Both of these essential practices are subject to changing thought and must be open to change. So no ink, please!

Performers: It is not necessary to know how to read music at the first lesson for beginners. However, learning to read is required for subsequent lessons and will be a large focus for all non-readers. Lessons are not learned "by ear." A certain amount of theory will be a part of every lesson just as technique and repertoire. Concerning repertoire, it will be selected based on the student's learning needs but also with their input. The main emphasis on performance lessons, however, will be technique and reading. Students should come to the first lesson prepared to discuss their background & goals and the plan of their course of study.
Note: Voice students must be at least 16 years of age.

Composers: Just as with performers, it is not necessary to know how to read music at the first lesson. However, learning to read is required for subsequent lessons. Many young composers have great ideas but can only hear them in their heads or play them on an instrument. Lessons will allow you to obtain the skills to write them down with greater speed, accuracy, and clarity. More advance students will also include exploring a wider range of harmonic languages, advanced notation, instrumentation, orchestration, and aural skills. Students should come to the first lesson with examples of their work, either written, notated, or recorded in a digital format. They should be prepared to discuss their background & goals and the plan of their course of study.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
• To reschedule a lesson, more than one day notice is required.

• Make up lessons must be scheduled before the next regular lesson.

• A make up lesson cannot be scheduled in place of a regular lesson.

• If, for any reason, two 30-minute lessons are scheduled one right after the other, they will be charged as two 30-minute lessons, not one 60 minute lesson which is a different rate.

• If, for any reason, two 45-minute lessons are scheduled one right after the other, they will be charged as two 45-minute lessons, not one 90 minute lesson which is a different rate.

• the studio space is also inhabited by two lovely cats. Do consider this when signing up for lessons.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Yamaha DGX-650 weighted 88 keys full sized keyboard
area for parents to sit and observe lessons.

*** Specialties ***
Main area is in classical music and media scoring with secondary focus on musical theatre vocal performance and composing/arranging.

ed his B.F.A. in Theater and Voice from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS, Dr. Felix based his singing career in New York City for twelve years, received his M.M. in voice performance from the Manhattan School of Music in New York, was on the Voice Faculty of Texas A & M University, Kingsville where he ran the opera department for two years, and then returned to Lawrence, KS to get his D.M.A. in Voice Performance. He then taught as Assistant Professor at Emporia State University in Emporia, KS for five years. While in Kansas, he was founder and Executive Director of Kansas Concert Opera. He returned to the Twin Cities in 2011 and lives with his wife, Antonia, four cats and two dogs on ten acres just east of Farmington, MN.