Livingston, NJ Opera Voice Lessons

merglass Opera and the Aspen Music Festival. I also have undergraduate and master's degrees from Brown University and the Manhattan School of Music.

But don't let the fact that I'm an "opera singer" give you the wrong idea. Yes, strict classical training gives me in-depth understanding of how the human voice works, but I love and teach music of all genres. My students include professional opera singers, yes, but also rock and Broadway-style singers, college and conservatory students, teenagers singing in their school musicals, doing All-State chorus, or preparing for NYSSMA, as well as adults who are taking voice for the love of singing, the fun of the challenge and so they can join their local chorus or sound great on karaoke night.

Above all, the most important qualities I offer as a teacher are the simple human ones: understanding, patience, imagination, kindness, enthusiasm, respectfulness and absolute commitment to helping you meet your vocal goals.

*** Lesson Details ***

I tailor my lessons to each singer's particular interests, goals and challenges. Some students thrive with a highly technical approach; some thrive in a less formal, more supportive environment; most singers do best with an approach that mixes the two. The important thing to know is that you will receive lessons that are specifically tailored to you. There's no single template.

*** Specialties ***

For advanced classical singers I have a great depth of experience and wide knowledge of oratorio, opera, German lied and French, English and American art songs. I also have a specialized background in "performance practice" baroque and classical vocal ornamentation.

For all singers, I am also a superb acting coach!

rporates what you already know, with what you will need to learn in order to achieve your goals.

*** Lesson Details ***
Whether you want to play flute, clarinet, sing, act, or learn to play piano, I am here to help you become the best musician you can be. Classically trained, I also work with the styles of musical theatre, pop, rock, and jazz. I can teach you the proper techniques, posture, and breathing necessary to perform to the best of your ability and teach you how to utilize your full lung capacity to extend phrasing length and dynamic range. I will also help you learn to read and write music. Together, we will keep a log to track your progress lesson to lesson. This will also help you keep a record of the steps you are taking to obtain and achieve your goals and dreams.

*** Specialties ***
Young and beginner students.
Senior & Retired students
Students with special needs.
Performance techniques.
Audition preparation
Speech techniques (public speaking/voice-overs, etc.)
Bel Canto technique.
Performance anxiety
Life coaching!

"I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music, for in the patterns of music and all the arts are the keys of learning" ~Plato

**if you need a particular time slot or one not listed on my availability I will do my best to accommodate your needs**

**All lessons will be scheduled in advance with confirmation of both the student and instructor. If cancellation is necessary, a written notice 48 hour cancellation policy is in effect or you forfeit the lesson credit. For lessons scheduled outside of the areas provided, a surcharge for travel will be added.**

***BB Studio now has a base location! Studio lessons are now also available in addition to in-home and on-line lessons***

and your family to achieve your music education goals!

red on Channel 5 Good Day New York morning news program.

~~Teaching Philosophy~~

IF YOU CAN TALK YOU CAN SING and I guarantee it!!!!!

I teach beginners and advanced of all ages as well as all styles of music:

Opera - Classical - Musical Theatre - Pop - Jazz - Folk - Rock - R&B - Gospel

*I teach the freedom of the jaw, neck and shoulders to allow the breath to connect without tension allowing the production of a free vocal tone.

*Singing on the vowels with clean articulated consonants before and after the vowel is sung.

*Correct understanding and pronunciation of French, Italian, German and English languages

*Musicianship, theory, piano, all musical styles and song writing

*Performance and acting skills

*Audition techniques

*Career guidance

*Annual Student Recitals in professional New York City Venues

*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons take place at my home studio. Lessons may be recorded on my professional recording equipment or you may bring your own recording devices. This is an excellent learning tool. I teach my students how to extend their range, increase breath control and the freedom of their body in order to enable a free and easy produced vocal tone. I teach song repertoire to the student's particular musical style choices. I also work with students that wish to write their own songs so that their musical ideas can be heard clearly and precisely. A guitar is available for students if they wish to use it to accompany themselves. I teach my students how to deal with performance anxiety . Students are presented in recitals twice a year and performance classes are held once a month in addition to the private lessons.

IF you can talk you can sing and I guarantee it!!!! I teach beginners to advanced of all ages.

*** Specialties ***
Voice, Piano
I teach the freedom of the jaw, neck and shoulders to allow the breath to come without tension allowing the production of a free vocal tone.

Beginners and advanced of all ages. "If you can Talk you can Sing and I guarantee it!!!! Opera - Classical - Musical Theater - Jazz - Folk - R&B - Gospel - Country - Rock -

musical theater, jazz, pop, and R&B. I am so excited to share my knowledge and passion for singing with you, as well as any other subject we find to explore! As of February 2013, I am also available through TakeLessons' online instruction program! Please find more information below and I hope to hear from you soon!

Thanks!

Zachary B.

A native of Charlotte, NC, Zachary began his musical career as a tuba player and jazz bass guitarist. While attending The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Zachary began singing in various vocal groups on campus and developed his love for the singing voice. With encouragement from the music faculty, Zachary began training as an operatic baritone while at UNC. While attending UNC, Zachary was awarded both the Fischer Scholarship in Voice and the Tony McDowell Voice Scholarship. His singing brought him to Boston in the summer of 2010 to begin study at The Boston Conservatory. While performing various opera roles and attending summer programs, Zachary also opened his private studio and taught at a local music academy.

Baritone Zachary B. is quickly establishing himself as an active operatic performer. Equally at home on the recital stage, his versatile lyric baritone voice fits a wide range of repertoire and styles. A graduate of The Boston Conservatory, Zachary has performed roles like the titular role in Don Giovanni, Ramiro in L'Heure Espagnole, L'horloge comtoise in L'Enfant et les sortileges, Pooh-Bah in The Mikado, and Bob in The Old Maid and the Thief.

Starting in February 2013, Zachary will also be available through TakeLessons for online instruction. Lessons will still focus on energy, breath, and solid technique, so please contact him if you think this venue of instruction will be a good fit!

*** Lesson Details ***
Regardless of your background, I believe in making lessons fun, encouraging, and accessible. This means that my work with you will, by nature, be incredibly personal and always formulated for your specific musical goals. I will constantly strive to make sure you are comfortable in our work together as we explore singing, speaking, and music theory.

I believe every singing or speaking voice can benefit from a foundation in classical vocal technique. Whether you prefer to learn through singing songs or through various exercises, I can customize our lesson plan to fit your needs. Therefore, I provide a fun and engaging lesson atmosphere, but you need to bring your best as well! We will both be happier with the process if we are equally invested in your growth. We will start with something you already know (an aria, vocal exercise, or excerpt from a song) and work toward singing in your preferred vocal style. For example, classical singers will build their knowledge of English, German, Italian, and French diction and song styles. Additionally, I will always respect and include my student's musical interests.

Along the way, I am happy to address basic music theory ideas. If you prefer, we can also spend additional time reviewing and learning those principles to enrich your musical experience. I will always provide different exercises and ideas to keep your brain active in the singing process.

I believe in whole body, whole spirit singing. As a performer, I employ a variety of holistic exercises and theories to develop my own voice, such as basic Alexander Technique principles, voice therapy techniques, a variety of pedagogical palates, and energy work. If these sorts of things interest you, I am more than happy to incorporate them into our lessons. My personal results with those practices have been incredible, so I am always eager to share.

My personality is outgoing and energetic, so I bring that sort of atmosphere to a lesson. I expect preparedness and readiness on your part to maximize our work together. My greatest desire in teaching is to see you grow! So, if a challenging, yet comforting, work environment sounds like something you would like to try, consider scheduling a trial lesson with me. I am always happy to hear from new students!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Open area between the living room and the dining room, seating available, piano to accompany the voice lesson, garage/driveway/street parking.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I prefer for my students to have a keyboard or piano, and if possible, a music stand. We can always make a situation work if the student does not have access to these tools. I provide music, pencils, etc.

*** Specialties ***
I am an opera singer, and specialize in classical singing. However, I apply similar vocal technique to all genres of music, and focus on breathing technique, body and energy awareness, and discuss a holistic approach to singing with all students.

, Eugene Friesen (four-time Grammy Award-winner), Sandeep Das (two-time Grammy nominee), Mike Block, and Hozier (2015 Grammy Nominee).

e, having spent years developing skills teaching and performing to the highest standards, all my students are pushed to be the best possible!
Am comfortable teaching anyone, from beginners to coaching professionals!

, I teach largely through demonstration accompanied by easily understandable technical language aimed to resonate with the student's natural sense memory and vocabulary. These are methods I have practiced myself over many years as a professional singer at the world's great opera houses, and I know they will help serve your artistry and desire to be expressive, confident and engaging to an audience of 1 or 10,000.

Alex Lawrence is an active professional operatic and concert baritone based in NYC and has enjoyed an international performing career for the past 7 years since his debut at the Theater Basel, Switzerland and subsequently as an ensemble member of the Zurich Opera House, from 2012-2016. He has enjoyed performing major roles with some of the world's most prestigious opera and theater companies including the Zurich Opera, Theater Basel, The Glimmerglass Festival, The Lucerne Festival, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Tanglewood Festival, The Ravinia Festival, The Vancouver Opera, and many more. He has participated in top international Young Artist Programs including the Glimmerglass Festival, The Zurich Opera and the Ravinia Festival Steans Institute for Singers. Alex is a graduate of Northwestern University (B.M. Voice '07) and the prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts (A.D. '11), and is a recipient of the annual Lenore Annenberg Fellowship in the Arts. He has been a top prizewinner in several major international competitions, including the Opera Index Foundation, The Gerda Lissner Foundation and the Licia Albanese Puccini Foundation. He was a semi-finalist at Operalia, 2014. Alex Lawrence, Baritone, is represented by Zemsky/Green Artists management, one of the leading classical vocal agencies in the world.

Alex's teaching influences include his mentor's Patricia McCaffrey, Arthur Levy, both major voice instructors in the New York City classical vocal scene.

the title role of Hansel in Hansel and Gretel at Quisisana on Lake Kezar in Maine all summer.
Featured roles in past seasons have included the Miami Summer Music festival, where she participated in the Wagner Institute concert, and as Elizabeth Proctor in the new opera production of The Crucible. The Palm Beach Arts Paper noted that she “sang impressively, handling the music with confidence and flair.” She also sang the title role in Pinocchio at Cedar Rapids Opera, as well as Flora in La Traviata, Carmen in Carmen, Giulietta in Les contes d’Hoffmann, Meg in Mark Adamo’s Little Women, Mrs. Herring in Benjamin Britten’s Albert Herring and the Nurse in Michael Torke’s Strawberry Fields.

Stephanie placed 3rd nationally in the New York Lyric Opera Competition, where she made her Carnegie Hall debut. She was the winner of the Miami-Dade artist access grant award, and the Concerto Competition at New World School of the Arts. Stephanie has also placed in the semi-finals of the Florida Grand Opera/Young Patroness of the Arts competition, and the Palm Beach Opera Competition. She has participated in distinguished opera programs such as the Miami Music Festival, International Vocal Arts Institute, Opera Academy of California, and the Manhattan School of Music Summer Festival.

ofessional opera and musical theatre companies, in additional to large choral works as a soloist, and have a private studio in Washington Heights.

Prior to NYC I taught middle school choir for 200+ students, of which I received teacher of the year in 2012. I also still hold a valid teaching license in the state of Indiana and currently applying toward my NYS teaching certification.

I look forward to hearing your beautiful voice and helping you to embrace music. Feel free to check out my website for any further information!