Valley Stream, NY Music Performance Lessons

Technique- We will help you improve breathing, phrasing, improving tone, projection and develop range.

Artistry- Some singers already have a sense of "who they are" and
have found their "sound" as artists, and others need help refining it.
We'll look at what songs are great for you, (maybe you write your own)
how to style songs and make them your own and even experiment with
different genres.

Performance skills- It's one thing to sing in a room one on one
with a vocal instructor and quite another to be onstage with an
audience with all eyes on you as you stand in front of the mic. How do
you connect with your audience? How do you handle nerves? How do you
talk between songs? Some of these things are learned best from
experience. Most singers are working on their voice because they want
to perform. Michael will provide opportunities for performance
experience for each artist when each individual is ready.

Be an Intelligent singer- Learn how to be ready for an audition.
How to communicate with a band /accompanists. How to know what keys you
need your songs in. Learn about singing harmonies/backing vocals. Learn
about recording vocals in the studio.

This is what one new student had to say about their first lesson with Michael...

"I had SO much fun
this past Sunday, Michael. I already feel like I learned a great deal. You are
such a fun and easy going teacher. Can't wait for the next one. Thanks!"

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can bring a keyboard and a laptop. It would be nice if they could provide a CD player, but not necessary.

*** Specialties ***
pop, soul, r&b, rock, country, any commercial styles. Performance coaching, Songwriting

ublished an iBook, titled "Drum Talk - An Introduction to Percussion Ensemble", available now on iTunes. This book demonstrates the techniques he developed during his many years teaching ensembles of all ages at the Filomen M. D'Agostino Greenberg Music School, it features 56 video clips and over 80 musical examples.

*** Lesson Details ***
Every student needs a different approach depending on their temperament and goals. After assessing the student, I will tailor my teaching to achieve the most out of each lesson.
If a student is willing to commit to practicing outside of the lesson, after six months he or she will have the ability to play with others, and decide for him or herself if this is something he or she will pursue further.
The achievement level is in the hands of the student, depending on their level of commitment and abilities.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Gretch Drum set, Bergerault vibraphone, Deagan Marimba, Mac System with ProTools, DP and Logic Audio systems
LP congas and Bongos, various hand Percussion

*** Specialties ***
Jazz. rock, funk, latin drumming
also teach percussion class mixing african, latin and brazilian style
I am fully knowlegable of Performer, ProTools, Logic and Garageband on the Mac

ryn Terfel with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Liverpool, England, Dorinda(Orlando) with Cantanti Project, Pamina (Die Zauberflöte) with Opera Manhattan Studio, Frasquita (Carmen) with One World Symphony, Zerlina (Don Giovanni) and Clorinda (La Cenerentola) with Capitol Heights Opera, Alice (Le comte Ory) with West Side Opera Society, Adele (Die Fledermaus), Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro), and Myrrhine (Lysistrata) with Opera Avanti, Gilda (Rigoletto) with Académie Internationale d'Eté de Nice, and The First Spirit (Die Zauberflöte) with the Opera Company of Brooklyn.

My international credits include performances under the direction of Conductor Laurent Pillot at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Liverpool, England;the Académie Internationale d'Eté de Nice, France; the Daniel Ferro Vocal Program in Chianti,Italy; the International Vocal Arts Institute in Tel Aviv, Israel where I was selected to sing for the Japanese Ambassador.

I made appearances as a soloist at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, Town Hall, and MOMA museum in New York City and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.
​
As a versatile singer, I was presented as an aspiring opera singer on the website of Maybelline New York. Her voice was featured in short films for the Japanese technology company NEC. I appeared as a soprano soloist for the opera, Jazz and theater collaboration of "TAKE ABITE" by David Antonio Cruz. I also sings Broadway songs and continues her musical theater studies. She is an active recitalist and also performs Oratorio works.

I was also a finalist at the Opera Idol Competition at Lincoln Center in New York City, The Hariclea Darclée Voice Competition in Romania and the Mario Lanza and Elaine Malbin Vocal Competition in New York City. Ms. Uchida was selected as a vocal scholarship recipient at Savannah music festival.

My upcoming engagement includes singing the role of Gilda in Rigoletto and Oscar in Un ballo in maschera in 2018 in New York City.

Besides being an opera singer, I have been teaching piano and voice for 11 years. I would like to share my skills and experience with you. Since I perform often, I can coach you how to perform on stage in addition to building solid technique and languages. Also, I have taught various kinds of music, such as Rock, Broadway musicals, Pop music, so we can work on all kind of music.

I look forward to teaching you soon!

*** Lesson Details ***
My students can expect to improve their skills and start to enjoy music more as we work together.
I believe that learning music is fun and enjoyable. However you also need to be serious and focused.
I can demonstrate various and specific techniques, phrasing, and interpretation and will always coach on how to develop your skills. However, I feel it is important for students to think critically on their own and take the first try at solving a problem themselves. I cannot emphasize enough that primarily it is you who find the ways to improve. Leaning music is a collaboration between teachers and students. I hope that through my lessons, students will become more self-sufficient and confident as musicians.
Let me help you become a better musician.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano (Clavinova), music stand, and desk.

*** Travel Equipment ***
By Subway, the closest station is 23rd street. You can take C, E train(within one block). 1 train(one block), M, F train (2 blocks).

various conservatory and college programs. My professional students have performed at such venues as New York City Opera, Radio City, in Film and Television and on National Tours. I love what I do and find it fulfilling to give my students the tools that they need to succeed and watch them achieve their goals.

I have performed in both the US and internationally on a professional level. As a performer I am comfortable in a range of repertoire: Musical Theater, Jazz, Opera, Pop, Folk and other genres. As a teacher, I find that my own experiences in performing inform and help guide my teaching style. In addition to teaching and performing in operas, concerts and musicals, I perform on behalf of an outreach organization called Concerts Motion, bringing live performances to audiences who are hospitalized, isolated or in need. I have also served as a Cantorial Soloist at Shaaray Tefila of Bedford, New York and the New York Area.

In addition to my more advanced and adult students, I have a passion for teaching children. I began working with younger students as an instructor at the Cranbrook Theater School. While there I taught lessons and group workshops on singing, acting and general performance to students ages 5 through high school. Since then I have worked with young students on a regular basis in both private lessons and working with music outreach programs in New York schools. In addition to building musical skills, I find that performing and studying music gives children a sense of accomplishment and confidence in their lives.

Teaching Emphasis

*Musicality
*Breath Control
*Healthy Vocal Technique
*Wide dynamic and vocal range
*Performance Practices
*Song Selection
*Children's Lessons
*Lessons to Improve Public Speaking and Speech

My approach to vocal instruction encourages a healthy technique bringing freedom throughout the entire body. I teach a variety of ages and singing levels. I look forward to working with you!

*** Lesson Details ***
The style and pace of my lessons are tailored to each individual student. I bring structure to the lessons, but work at the speed that is comfortable for you. It is my ultimate goal to give you the tools and the confidence to learn and perform music on your own. Most importantly we make the most of our time together for whichever length of lesson you choose.

Each lesson generally starts with a physical and vocal warm up. This is followed by vocal exercises (arpeggios, scales, and various other exercises that will develop flexibility and also breath control in the voice, as well as expanding the vocal range). The last part of the lesson will most often focus on a song or piece of music as we incorporate the technical and artistic elements we have worked on thus far.

Expectations:

Depending on the level of the student we will begin with the basics: pitch matching, simple vocal exercises, and standard songs. After a few months of lessons students should expect to have the skills to move on to more difficult vocalizes and advanced songs. All that we do in our lessons will have an emphasis on singing in the most healthy way for your voice.

We will work on intonation, rhythm, style, diction and projection. We will also do audition and performance preparation. I will give the you exercises to take home and work on between lessons.

We will have fun and learn a lot in the comfortable and energetic setting that I create!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Private in-home studio: Separate studio with electric piano, music stand, several chairs, music books, mirrors, speakers and open space for us to work in!

There is a separate living room/waiting room where parents/caretakers are welcomed to wait while their student is in their lesson. Parents/caretakers are also welcomed to sit in on all or part of lesson in the studio.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will bring music repertoire books that we might be using. I would expect them to have a keyboard or piano.

*** Specialties ***
I am classically trained, but have studied pedagogy pertaining to many different types of singing. I work with many singers of Opera and Musical Theater. I also have a lot of experience working with singers who are in bands and play instruments (guitar, bass, drums, ukulele, keyboards) while they are singing. I find this provides an entirely new set of challenges for the singer and feel that I have found efficient and successful ways of negotiating this. I also teach students of jazz and folk music and work with singer-songwriters on getting the best of themselves on their original pieces.

n't creating success for a student she will quickly change to another till she finds the right words or method to enable the student to succeed with the least amount of frustration.”

*** Lesson Details ***
I draw on a wide range of materials in The Holistic Piano (and voice) method. The curriculum may be color-based or number-based, we might focus on chord building or sight-reading, or Songwriting, depending on the student's need and desire.

*** Studio Equipment ***Private Music studio with glass door so waiting parents can see what's going on (though they can also be in the studio if they feel more comfortable.) I have a grand piano, 1 keyboard, and a variety of other instrument including hand drums, chimes, boomwackers, a chimealong and autoharp to enhance learning experience.

*** Specialties ***
Because each student is an individual, I approach teaching like a coach, custom designing a course of study for each student to meet their individual needs.

each student individually, catering to specific goals and needs that we will decide upon and plan together. Some students want to seriously study a craft. Others want a hobby that will be fun and interesting. I have had success teaching to both, and will impart basic fundamentals and musicianship to all types of students.

I see my primary job as keeping the student inspired, intellectually fed and sprinting in the right direction. The student's job is to do the work. Daily practice is essential to move forward in any craft.

*** Studio Equipment ***
My Brooklyn studio is a dedicated music space with two drum sets, PA, amplifiers and recording capabilities.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will provide books, a drum pad, sticks or mallets, an iPod with two sets of headphones, and a metronome. Additionally, I can bring small hand drums, special instruments and percussion that might be needed for specialty lessons. I expect students to have some sort of pad or drum to practice on at home; a full drum set is not necessary.

*** Specialties ***
Drum set (rock, jazz, R&B, folk, pop, electro, Afro-Cuban)
Snare drum
Timpani
Two- and four-mallets (marimba, vibraphone, xylophone)
Accessory percussion
Frame drums
Traditional samba
Afro-Cuban hand drums
Japanese taiko

her countless opportunities to perform, to participate in event planning, and to experiment with new music and arranging. She grew up participating in her mother's studio recitals at home and enjoys an annual family tradition of organizing and performing Christmas programs at church. One of Catherine's projects during her studies at the Manhattan School of Music was the Symposium Concert Series, which has led her to perform in apartment homes around the city and build a community of young artists. She has made countless arrangements for solo viola and viola with various ensembles which she often performs.

Catherine resides in Brooklyn, New York with her husband, Lawrence. She plays on a Raymond J. Melanson viola made in 1987.

*** Lesson Details ***
I'm able to travel to the student's home or teach at my home. Parents are welcome to sit in the lesson.

*** Studio Equipment ***
N/A

*** Specialties ***
Patience

Grammys.........

I play and teach all styles; Classical, rock, Broadway, jazz,pop, etc.....

I have performed at the world class, A-list level in all the above mentioned styles as well.

I believe it is critical to be humble, down to earth and easy to work with, no matter how accomplished, student, teacher, or parent. :)..................

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

ned from the Broadway National Tour of "42nd Street," where she performed on tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet, flute, and piccolo.