Portland, OR Opera Voice Lessons

ssical technique, even if they specialize in contemporary singing, to help them avoid potential vocal injury.

My piano students learn to read and play music at their own pace.

My acting and spoken voice students learn to feel comfortable reading clearly, and reciting/performing on stage or other public areas.

My music theory students work one on one with me, learning basic theory (note names, durations, etc.) to advanced theory, ear training, and composition.

I am flexible and am willing to work with students of any age and level. I only require that students practice and enjoy the music they make.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Music room in home with seating for parents.

*** Specialties ***
I am a classical singer, and specialize in classical voice training. However, I also have extensive experience in other singing styles, from choral to popular, and acting/oratory. I have a minor in music theory, and have taken advanced courses in music theory pedagogy.

*** Lesson Details ***
Voice students will learn to improve their technique through proper breathing, correct vowels, space, and resonance. I teach repertoire based on the students' interest, but I am well versed in classical and operatic repertoire in English, French, German, and Italian, as well as some musical theatre and jazz. I also teach pop songs for those who are interested. I can help you improve your technique for whatever style of music you want to sing. For adults, I recommend an hour voice lesson. For kids, I recommend a half hour voice lesson, and half hour of piano if they are not already taking it.

Piano students will learn to read music, play with correct form, learn scales, and improve their musicianship skills. I teach out of lesson books (mostly Faber) to improve technique, but I want students to learn supplemental pieces that are fun for them as well. For piano beginners, I recommend 30 minutes. Once the student is a little more experienced, I like to have them for 45 minutes.

I hope to share with you the same joy I get from making music!

*** Studio Equipment ***
My studio at home has a piano, my music library, a large mirror for aiding the student in observing their vocal habits.

*** Travel Equipment ***
For in home lessons, students will need to have a keyboard or a piano in a space free of distractions. Students should have a neat, three ring binder to hold any loose sheet music. Piano students need a regular notebook to write lesson assignments.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in teaching classical art songs and musical theatre.

programs which introduce children to music and theater in schools.   I was adjunct faculty at the College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University and local music studios as well as maintaining my private teaching practice.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am persistent and positive! Working and performing with singers and master teachers has helped me to be a resourceful teacher who understands the process of becoming a singer. I believe that a sense of fun and play helps you to accomplish your goals quickly.  For beginners you will learn how the voice works and how to care for and develop your instrument, I recommend adults take 45" - 1 hour lessons weekly for skill building. The price of lessons DECREASES by 10% after each 5 lesson purchased for the first 15 lessons. Studio policy is located at VaaraMusic.com. We will choose music that interests you and helps to build your voice starting with basics before moving to more complex and challenging music. Understanding music theory and sight-reading will help you get the most out of your singing. After 3 - 6 months you should have a good command of breathing and an understanding of how to sing with an expressive tone.For the advanced student, I can help you work on trouble spots and give you tools to help with the changes that voices naturally go through.  I look forward to giving you my full focus and celebrating your growth and accomplishments!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Condo w/ open area with piano. Visitor's parking lot w/ seating in studio for parents to listen. Parents with younger siblings can use play areas outside.
Basic library of vocal music, giving the student a way to sample different kinds of songs before purchasing books or downloading songs on their own. Music stand, iPhone plug-in/Amp for accompaniments and examples you want me to hear.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide a basic library of vocal music at my home studio and will bring targeted books with me. Students should print out their favorite popular songs from such services as Music Notes website.
I expect my students to provide a keyboard, music stand and notebook as well as a low distraction environment.

*** Specialties ***
As an opera and musical theater, Oratorio and church singer, I help singers of all levels improve within their genre from popular music to opera. A good singing technique will help performers in any style stay healthy and enjoy an expressive singing instrument.

se/Worship, Folk Songs, Songwriting

ut as needed with SA Opera and local production companies. Mrs. K performs on a regular basis at local churches and with different community groups. She also is hired on a regular basis as a wedding singer and funeral cantor.
Mrs. K. loves teaching and specializes in personal one on one attention with her students, making each of them aware of how important music is for their everyday lives. Elizabeth teaches all age groups, from beginner level to advanced for vocal instruction, beginner to advanced level for piano instruction, and beginner level for guitar instruction.

*** Lesson Details ***
Beginner = 30 minute lessons

Intermediate = 45 minute lessons

Advanced = 1 hour lessons

*** Studio Equipment ***
Upright Piano
Electric Keyboard
Smart phone voice memo app for Voice Lessons
Ipod and Ipod Player
CD Player
Copies of Various Music for Students

*** Travel Equipment ***
For voice lessons - I have my ipod and speakers for the music we will be singing with - and I make copies of music for my students if they need it
For guitar lesson - copies of music if they need it - they must have their own guitar.
For piano - copies of music if needed - they must have their own piano or keyboard.

*** Specialties ***
Classical Training and current Broadway style

cher is the renowned Dr. Robin Fisher, Soprano. Dr. Fisher is one of two classical voice instructors at CSU Sacramento, and has performed in both the United States and Europe.

Lesson Details:
I teach from a comprehensive approach, taking into account mind and body: the science of voice as well as the art.

Studio Equipment:
- Piano
- Multiple books of music for: classical or opera voice, jazz voice, musical theater, children's music

Travel Equipment:
- Multiple books of music for: classical or opera voice, jazz voice, musical theater, children's music

Specialties:
Opera - Jazz Voice - Pop - Folk - Classical

of Music, Radio Disney AM 1260, and the New Victory Theater (Off-Broadway).
World class venues include: Carnegie Hall, The Vatican, Notre Dame Cathedral, Palau de les artes de Regina Sofia, and Symphony Space. Liz has also performed with the Amore Opera, NY Lyric Opera and Regina Opera companies of New York City.
Favorite Theatrical Credits include: The International Tour of Disney Live! (Feld Entertainment), Nickelodeon at Sea (Norwegian Cruise lines), Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (NBC), RWS and Associates, Carnival Cruise lines and legendary summer stock theaters including Ogunquit Playhouse, ME and the Granbury Opera house, TX .
Past NYC Music Venues include (Select): The Metropolitan Room, The Cutting Room, Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar, Toshi's Living Room, The Shrine, Silvana, The Bitter End, The Path Cafe.
Past TV/Film Selections Include: Orange is the New Black, Elementary, Law and Order SVU, Mozart in the Jungle, Grown ups 2, Labor Day, The Makeover, Nurse Jackie, The Knick, Blue Bloods, The Following, The Woody Allen Summer Project, Madame Secretary, Mysteries of Laura, Royal Pains, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2, The Heat, The Carrie Diaries, Vinyl, Public Morals,The Tap, The Only Boy in New York, Irreplaceable you,The Leftovers, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Bull.
She has a passion for singing jingles, and recording voice overs all around the world for clients in India, New Zealand, France, Israel, Philippines, and Russia to name a few, be on the lookout as you never know where you may hear her Voice!
Her writing has been published by the Vail Jazz Festival, Lessonface, Takelessons, NewMusicalTheatre, Onstageblog, New Victory Theater Blog and with Dance, Laugh, Learn LLC.
She has had the pleasure of Musical Directing with various inner city schools with young, at risk students including Inside Broadway, Brooklyn Arts Council, Mainstages, The Queens Theater, Long Lake Camp for the Arts, Berklee City Music Program, Boston Bridge Charter School, and St. Joseph's Regional Catholic School. Past shows she has musical directed have included Annie, Legally Blonde, The Wizard of Oz, Seussical, Oliver, Shrek, and Chicago. Liz also serves on the Berklee Alumni Audition Committee, and was recently named Berklee Alumni Ambassador of the Year. (2017)
Currently she is working on her original musical Ciao Bambino, which debuted it's first staged reading at the Midtown International Theater Festival in the Fall of 2016, and Off-Off Broadway at the 13th Street Repertory Theater! At MITF Ciao Bambino was recognized with an award for Best Staged Reading. "Give me the stage" an original song from the musical also won first place in competitions at the Bunol Symphony Orchestra in Spain and Hampton Beach talent show in New Hampshire.

YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAMS
Opera Viva!
Verona, Italy June-July 2018
Coaches: Dr. Madelyn Gearheart, Dr. Lisa Sylvester, Catherine Ciesinski, Joyce Fieldsend, David Walsh, Laura Athey-Janka, Darrell Babidge, Gerardo Felisatti and Gordon Ostrowski.
Miss. Turner is a member of the following professional organizations: SAG-AFTRA, The Dramatists Guild, BMI, Society of Composers and Lyricists, The Drama League, The Manhattan Association of Cabaret Performers, AFM Local 802, Actor's Equity Membership Candidate, Theater Resources Unlimited, The Off-Broadway Alliance, Women in Music, National Italian American Foundation, National Organization of Italian American Women, International Women's Jazz Association and The League of Independent Theatre.

*** Lesson Details ***
I like to work with students at all levels, whether you sing for your own enjoyment or are serious about pursuing a career in performing, I want to help you be the best performer! Please send me a message before you sign up for lessons so we can coordinate time difference/scheduling, Thank you!

*** Specialties ***
Voice, Piano, Clarinet, Music Theory, Songwriting, College Audition Prep. (Past students have been accepted to Berklee College of Music, Laguardia High School, Frank Sinatra High School of Performing Arts, PPAS, Murrow High School)

onal tours, released albums, are in bands, have been accepted into performing arts schools (high schools and colleges), have been cast in regional/Off-Off-Broadway/Off-Broadway Theatre, movies (Noah, The Wolf Of Wall Street, Finally Famous), music videos, and on TV (Royal Pains, Smash, 30 Rock, The Good Wife, Law and Order: SVU, & NBC's The Voice competition).

Owner/Teacher: Rachel M.
SAG-AFTRA, VASTA, NATS (certified), NARAS, NAMTA, BMI, MAC, NJMEA, NAfME. NJ Theatre Alliance, & Certified Artist Developer with Conquer Entertainment,
16+ years of teaching to children - teens - adults (Ages 6+ group classes, 8+ private lessons)

RACHEL M.'S BIO:

Rachel is a member of SAG-AFTRA, The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS certified), VASTA (Voice And Speech Trainers Association), NARAS (The Grammy Awards), NAMTA, NJMEA (New Jersey Music Educators Association), NAfME (National Association of Music Education), NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association,) MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs), The NJ Theatre Alliance, NSA (Nashville Songwriting Association International), and BMI (Broadcast Music Inc). She has been teaching Bel Canto singing technique for the modern singer and Stella Adler-Stanislavsky-Chekhov-Meisner acting technique for all mediums for 16+ years to children, teens, and adults.

Rachel has trained at The Hages Music Studio under a master teacher for 22+ years in the Bel Canto singing technique for all genres, studied at The Stella Adler Studio of Acting in NYC as well as recorded and released her first album called "Just Meant To Be". Other credits include commercials, films, TV shows (One Tree Hill, AMC, Food Network), music videos (including Rachel's singles "Don't Even Try", "You Will Love On"), & numerous stage credits (Off-Broadway/NYC Theatre). Rachel most recently was seen in the reading of a new play "Vanishing Son" by Peter Gil-Sheridan performed in NYC. She is also a songwriter (16+ years), scriptwriter (10+ years), director (14+ years), and an international recording artist (10+ years).

Rachel has been performing for 20+ years, has performed in front of sold out crowds, and has been honored with many standing ovations. Other honors include magazine covers, featured articles, singing to thousands of people, studio recordings/albums, originated the role of "Antigone" in "Oedipus: The Musical", 2002 Helen Hayes Nomination for" Outstanding Vocal Performance in a Musical" ("Miss Adelaide" in "Guys And Dolls"), & 2008 finalist for NYC Singing Idol Competition. Rachel has also been fortunate to have worked & performed with many people in the business including Grammy-Tony-Emmy Award Winners/Nominees.

LESSON DETAILS

Whether you are a parent looking for instruction for your child, or for yourself, Rachel can customize the right program that best suits your needs. Her students come from all walks of life and have different goals, but they all have one thing in common. They love performing and have the desire to be the best at their chosen craft (singing/acting).

Some students want to sing/act for themselves, others want to sing/act for a hobby, and others want to be professional performers. That's where Rachel comes in. No matter what your goals are, she can help. Rachel teaches her students how to become true artists without tearing them down and without taking away the part of them that makes them unique. She teaches healthy technique that is based off of the human anatomy; the science of how the body/mind works and how the body/mind can work as efficiently as possible while singing or acting.

Learning how to sing/act is a process and doesn't happen overnight. Rachel's ultimate goal as a teacher is to not only make her students the best performers and singers they can be, but also give them all of the proper tools they need to have a more productive mind frame and become self-sufficient. Of course this can take years to master. It takes time and dedication.

OTHER LESSON INFORMATION

SINGING: Bel Canto singing technique for the modern singer is taught in private and group classes. No one sounds like old opera singers, even if the student wants to sing opera. Students are allowed to choose most of the material they learn in the lesson. There will be times when Rachel will suggest a song to a student but if the student doesn't enjoy the song, they will work as a team to find a song that does work for the student. Gain a better tone quality, complete control of your voice, bigger range, more flexibility, and confidence. Learn healthy voice technique, how to fully take care of your own voice so you can sing for the rest of your life (even after lessons), and become a self sufficient performer for life.

ACTING: Stella Adler, Stanislavsky, Chekhov, and Meisner Acting Technique for Theatre/Camera is taught in private and group classes. All students are exposed to each technique and Rachel sees which technique each student responds to the most. Once the student and Rachel are able to identify the technique, Rachel continues to use the terminology of that technique for the remainder of the time the student is in lessons. Students eventually are able to play roles truthfully and realistically, even if the roles are opposite of the student's own personality.

BY THE TIME STUDENTS GRADUATE FROM LESSONS:

1. Gain a lifelong, solid, consistent, and healthy technique that they can always count on in practice and performance.

2. Gain specific technical and personal notes in a notebook and/or computer file that is organized and always accessible for review.

3. Gain artistry, performance skills, and a strong voice that will look/sound authentic; Singers will sound appropriate to whatever style of music they are singing. (No fake sound or look.) Actors will just be in the moment and truthful whether they are on stage or in front of the camera.

4. Gain the confidence to always put on a great performance.

5. Gain focus and a more productive mind frame.

6. Become self-sufficient by knowing how to assess a problem and then fix it without creating a new issue.

*** Studio Equipment ***
PRIVATE HOME STUDIO: Keyboard, speakers (smartphone, iPod, iPad), CD player, tape recorder/player, digital recorder, music stand, mirror, laptop, sheet music selections, HD video camera, tripod, video editing software, audio editing software, USB microphone, and high speed WiFi internet. Full PA, two mixers (one mixer with 8 inputs and the other with 4), 8 Lavaliere microphones ("body mics"), multiple hand held microphones, laptop stand, and music stands.

**ASK ABOUT ON LOCATION TRAINING (ON SET, THEATER, PERFORMANCE EVENT, OR RECORDING STUDIO)!

**ONLINE LESSONS ALSO AVAILABLE!

*** Specialties ***
We specialize in Bel Canto voice technique for the modern singer. Each student can sing all genres without sounding too classical, "fake", and without losing their voice while singing for long periods of time.

Other Specialties: Teaching acting technique for theatre-TV-Film (Stella Adler, Stanislavsky, Chekhov, & Meisner), performance skills, songwriting, and creating self-sufficient singers-actors-performers (Artist Development).

STUDIO POLICIES-

CANCELLATION: 48 hour lesson cancellation policy and emergencies (determined by me) are handled on a case by case basis. If the student needs to miss a lesson due to an other activity or vacation, they or their parents/guardian if under 18, must contact Rachel Menconi at least a week from their next scheduled lesson in advance to prevent from forfeiting the lesson.

MAKE UPS: Make up lessons will be scheduled when time allows. No make up lesson or class will be given to ‘no shows’ or late cancellation, and no extra time will be given to students who are late to their lesson or class. If there is ever a time Rachel Menconi is running late, extra time will be given to make the lesson a full 60 minutes. If Rachel Menconi needs to reschedule, a make up lesson will be scheduled as close to the same week as possible. Make up lessons are scheduled at Rachel Menconi’s discretion.

ONLINE LESSONS FOR IN-PERSON LESSON CLIENTS: In the event that the student is sick but still would like their lesson, an online lesson can be scheduled instead. Students can NOT come to their in person lesson sick, coughing, sneezing, with a runny nose, cold, flu, “allergies”, fever, etc. (This is to make sure no germs will be spread).

An online lesson can also be scheduled if there is bad weather, if a student is having car trouble, or any other reason for the student not being able to physically get to Rachel during their normallly scheduled lesson time. Online lessons are conducted through FaceTime, Google, Hangouts, or Skype.

SCHEDULE:
Lessons are weekly, on the same time/day of the week unless we have rescheduled or we have discussed in writing another lesson plan. If the student’s lesson falls on a holiday, we will either reschedule or if no other day is available, resume the following week.

LATENESS:
If a student is going to be late they need to contact Rachel Menconi as soon as possible, to let her know they will be late. Lessons will end on time unless she is able to extend the lesson due to a late student or her schedule allows for it though please understand, Rachel Menconi would be extending a courtesy and would not be obligated to do so. If on the rare occasion Rachel Menconi is running late, she will always make up the time.

SITTING IN:
Parents/Guardians are ONLY permitted to stay for the first lesson and are NOT permitted to sit in for any other lesson/class unless invited. This is to promote good/strong teacher-student relationship quickly and easily. Also, many times students feel more comfortable when their parents/guardians leave.
Of course there will be times when the parent will be invited back in at the end of some of the lesson to showcase progress.

"I try to be as fair as possible to both parties when it comes to cancellations, rescheduling, lateness, and make ups. Have a concern or question? Just talk with me. I'm all about communication!" - Rachel Menconi