Victoria Music 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-8:00pm
Fri 10:00am-5:00pm
Sat 10:00am-2:00pm
Sun 4:00pm-7:00pm

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].

to the craft of making music.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am experienced in most major genres of music: classical, jazz, blues, rock, funk, folk, metal, acoustic fingerstyle/slap, instrumental rock, "shred," pop, world music, electronica, etc. & feel comfortable conveying the techniques, approaches & idioms to a student by breaking them down into digestible components, while making these new ideas relatable to material they are already familiar with.

In the end, I want the student to learn what they're most interested in learning. I'm here to answer any questions they may have & with my experiences, I feel confident that I will be able to either answer these questions or point them in the right direction. Some topics covered:

Scales/modes
Ear training
Instrument-specific techniques (ie bending, tapping, sweep picking, etc.)
Songwriting & Composition
Arranging & Orchestrating
Sight-reading
Improvisation
Chordal theory & how to read charts
Practice routines & approaches
Instrument maintenance
Instrument-based gear (guitars, amplifiers, effects, picks, slides, capos, etc.)

The student will learn at the pace they set for themselves & can only get out of it the amount of effort they put forth. I expect my students to practice on a regular basis (however brief each session may be). Consistency is key for progress to be made, & if they hold up their end of the bargain, the payoffs will be quite substantial!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Practice amplifier, tuner, music stand(s), guitar picks & cables.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can provide guitar neck paper. I expect the students to have their own instrument & any materials they may need to achieve the goals they've set for themselves (such as a weekly notebook).

*** Specialties ***
Progressive rock, classic rock, blues, jazz, funk, disco, classical, acoustic fingerstyle/slap, flamenco guitar; music theory, sight-reading, composition, songwriting, film scoring, music production.

orm a wider range of music

*** Studio Equipment ***
Most instruments

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect the student to provide an instrument, method book, stand and supplies for that instrument. I will bring an instrument to play along and model.

*** Specialties ***
Kodaly and Orff methods

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

thy vocal habits. They will learn all aspects needed to become a well rounded singer: diction, interpretation, musicianship, breath support and focus, all of this while having fun! Also, they will acquire the tools to keep up the work they've done during their lessons in the time between meetings with the teacher.
Pianists will learn to read music and play by ear while acquiring a healthy technique to avoid any injuries.

*** Studio Equipment ***
You'll be learning to play on a beautiful Kawai upright piano.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I own a traveling keyboard but prefer to use a larger instrument if available at the student's home. I also provide musical scores and the use of metronome.

*** Specialties ***
Classical, pop, musical theatre, rock

as learn at their own pace. My goal as a teacher is to give you an enjoyable experience in learning a new instrument and to tailor the lessons based on your interests and goals. After the first few months a beginner student can expect to have learned basic techniques and useful skills to allow them to play simple songs and melodies with ease.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons are taught in a studio with amps, acoustic guitars and electric guitars, ukuleles, along with fretless and fretted bass guitars, drums, microphones, recording equipment and software, are available for a student to use during the lesson time.

*** Specialties ***
Simplifying concepts and process. Breaking down elements of how to play Pop, Jazz, Funk, Blues, Rock, Folk etc.

tudied with Ruth Giles, Catherine Ramirez, Patricia George, and Michele Frisch.

ere every student, no matter age or ability, can feel free to express their creativity.

I earned my B.A. in 2014 from St. Olaf College, where I studied both music and neuroscience. My background in music is largely collaborative, having played extensively as a chamber musician, an orchestral musician, a pit musician, an accompanist, and a soloist. I strongly value giving constructive criticism in a positive and understanding way. I know how hard it can be to learn an instrument, and I fully respect that!

My background in teaching also includes music theory and music history, which is an essential part of understanding the music that we play. I began teaching in 2009 as the founder of J&J’s Music Camp, whose mission is to educate young people about music history, theory, and repertoire in a fun and engaging way. Since then, I have taught violin privately, have worked as an instructor in Theory and Aural Skills at St. Olaf College, and have worked as an Instructor of Music Theory at the Portland Youth Philharmonic, where I formerly served as Associate Concertmaster.

I have also held positions as a first violinist in the Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra and the Newport Symphony Orchestra, and have served as Associate Concertmaster of the St. Olaf Orchestra, winner of the 2013 American Prize. In addition, I was a soloist on the St. Olaf Orchestra’s National Tour in 2012, and am the recipient of the Oregon Music Hall of Fame Scholarship and the Thursday Musical Young Artists Scholarship. Perhaps some of the most meaningful work I have done is in chamber music, as a violinist in the Bridge City Quartet and the St. Olaf Piano Quintet. These experiences truly developed my passion for collaboration and partnership in music, which is to me one of the most meaningful aspects of music. I truly believe that taking violin lessons is a partnership between teacher and student. As a teacher, I look forward to sharing my love of music with anyone who wants to explore their musicality and learn more about the beautiful instrument that is the violin. Thanks!

onservatoire de Versailles in France. In addition, I am a recipient of a 2017 Artist Initiative grant made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature; and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.