Learn Singing your way with a TakeLessons expert

By Liz T. - Brooklyn Singing Teacher

Hello, I’m Liz, and I teach singing lessons in Brooklyn, New York! Brooklyn is home to one of the most vibrant arts and cultural communities in the world. In this great city, you can hear live music at BAM, take in some dance with the Mark Morris Troupe, view the beautiful nature at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, see artists creating their own open studios to display their artwork, and watch a local filmmaker shoot a movie on the streets. Brooklyn is truly a great city to foster your creative expression!

Brooklyn is comprised of several different neighborhoods, including Williamsburg, Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights/Dumbo, Bed-Stuy, Bushwick, Flatbush, and Greenpoint/Fort Greene, just to name a few. Each trendy neighborhood has its own unique cultural identity. In this article, I will give you an overview of some of the most prominent neighborhoods to give you an insight on all the wonderful opportunities a singer can take advantage of!

Williamsburg Williamsburg is a very hip part of town and is home to many local indie artists. The neighborhood is known for having many live music venues and coffeehouses that foster original music, including The Knitting Factory, Williamsburg Music Hall, and Muchmore’s. Many venues host their own open mics, which are great opportunities to get comfortable presenting your own original material to a very supportive indie music audience. The Knitting Factory: http://www.knittingfactory.com/ Williamsburg Music Hall: http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com/ Muchmore’s: http://muchmoresnyc.com/

Park Slope A quiet and cozy neighborhood known for its diversity and for being family-friendly, Park Slope is a great place to find inspiration. Many local businesses thrive here, and I find it to be a relaxed environment to get some songwriting done, whether that be spending time in a local coffee shop or sitting in the park. It’s also a short walk to the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, Prospect Park, and world-class music institutions, such as the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music.

Brooklyn Heights/Dumbo In Brooklyn Heights/Dumbo, be sure to check out some outdoor festivals and fairs that take place here, including Make Music Festival, Folk Music Festival, Jam Music Festival, New York’s Festival of Light, and many others. Mark these on your calendar; you won’t want to miss them!

Bed-Stuy Bed-Stuy is a very diverse section and home to many young people in their twenties and thirties. With affordable rent prices, many residents here have opened up their own private recording studios, as well as set up their own rehearsal space or studio - something very appealing to singers!

Bushwick This area is known for its “hipster” community with many visual artists, actors, dancers, and filmmakers, all collaborating to create meaningful art that will make an impression on New York society. If you are really looking to network with other performers and to be a part of the community, this is the place to be. There are many workshops, open houses, jams, and art presentations here on the streets. In the neighborhood’s industrial lofts, you can showcase your work, which is great for a singer/songwriter who is just starting out, looking to meet people in the indie music scene!

Flatbush Flatbush is truly a blend of all different cultures, which contributes to a very inspiring neighborhood for musicians! Singers can take in the sights and sounds of all the different cultures here to help shape and find their own cultural identity and sound. Flatbush is also home to many students, as Brooklyn College is located here, which has a great classical voice and jazz department, as well!

Greenpoint/Fort Greene A cultural oasis of Brooklyn, Greenpoint/Fort Green is home to the BRIC Arts Media Center and many other nonprofit organizations that will help you with your singing and performing career. Many performers have decided to call this place home in recent years, including Branford Marsalis, Chris Rock, Erykah Badu, and Keri Russell, to name a few. This quiet area really lets you focus on your artwork while still surrounded by such a creative atmosphere. BRIC Arts Media Center: http://bricartsmedia.org/

So, if you are a singer and are looking to hone your craft while taking singing lessons in Brooklyn, I highly recommend spending some time in each of the different neighborhoods that this city has to offer. Explore performing and writing opportunities while networking and collaborating with other musicians in Brooklyn. It is truly the ideal place to foster your creativity and grow as a singer.