West Linn, OR Classical Voice Lessons

ed her to a plethora of new genres and from there she developed her own style. Piano-wise her primary focuses are the romantic and baroque era, especially Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin. Vocally, her styles branch musical theatre, opera, pop, country, and on occasion touches on jazz. She has made the effort to learn as much as she possibly can about music, the different ways to play, to sing, while still keeping true to her own style. She hopes that her students have that same drive and be open to learning all sorts of music!

Since I travel for some lessons, please double check with me to make sure that I can travel to your lesson in a timely manner.

*** Lesson Details ***
I love to have fun, but I believe that in order to do so, you must know your stuff. I shall provide the resources for you to learn, and all you need to bring is your brain, eager to soak up information so that we can make music!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Living room: Piano, mirror

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect them to provide a piano for piano lessons, and I can provide an instrument for voice lessons. I will find the books or media the student may need, and expect the student/parents of the student are responsible for the costs.

d with a real sense of confidence in their musicianship. Plus they have a lot of fun as they make musical progress!

Gfire is also an award-winning singer-songwriter and "Yoga for the Voice" innovator. She has released 4 CDs of all-original music and is currently working on her 5th CD, to be released in 2015.

As a teacher, Gfire works with students of all levels and all areas of interest. In October 2007, Gfire became the only vocal teacher in the Western Hemisphere to gain full certification in the Science of Singing, developed by Ernest G. White of London, England. Her unique voice training program, entitled "Yoga for the Voice," combines this knowledge of the Science of Singing with ancient yoga breathing techniques. This technique allows each voice student to develop a "vocal tune-up" for the voice AND to discover what the natural singing range is and how to use the voice as effectively as possible. With the internet SKYPE technology, Gfire teaches voice students all over the world, from Switzerland to the U.K. to New Zealand to New York.

Her vocal students have sung in touring rock bands, on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, in successful auditions, in karaoke clubs, in coffee houses and folk clubs, at weddings and for their own enjoyment amongst family and friends. Whatever level of singing training you wish to acquire, she will show you the way to achieve it!

Gfire was also the main voice instructor and one of 3 main piano teachers at the Austin branch of Mars Music (now defunct) for 3 1/2 years. In addition to her vocal study and innovation, she has studied piano with top classical and jazz pianists, studied songwriting with Pat Pattison of Berklee College in Boston, gotten her full yoga teaching certification in 2004 and DJ'd at clubs and parties worldwide. For eight years straight - 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 - she has won the prestigious ASCAPlus Award for professional songwriting.

As a singer-songwriter, Gfire continues to write, record and perform with some of the best musicians and engineers in the world, including engineer Stuart Sullivan (Willie Nelson, Sublime, Meat Puppets, etc.), Hammond organ player Ian McLagen (Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart), cellist John Hagen (Lyle Lovett), fiddle/mandolin player Warren Hood (The Waybacks), bassist George Reiff (Ray Wylie Hubbard) and banjo picker Danny Barnes (Bad Livers, Dave Matthews).

Gfire's original songs have been played on over 200 radio and television stations worldwide. She has toured in over half of the fifty states, plus the U.K. and Canada.

*** Lesson Details ***
NEW - Gfire is now available to teach WORLDWIDE via SKYPE or FaceTime - so you can have a music lesson in the privacy of your own home!!

Voice lessons - I have created a unique and wonderful vocal method, "Yoga for the Voice," which combines ancient yoga breathing exercises with special vocal exercises to give you a "complete vocal tune-up." These techniques are simple, effective and easily-learned by any student of the voice, from about age 5-105. I love to help you learn to apply these wonderful techniques to learning the songs you wish to learn - whether they are pop, r 'n' b, folk, singer-songwriter, rock, country, opera, musical theater, jazz, etc. "Yoga for the Voice" is just as effective for professional speakers, such as teachers, lawyers, clergymen or actors - we just use a range of notes that is smaller than a singer's range, and we focus on using your speaking voice as effectively and efficiently as possible.

In 3-6 months, you will be able to:

1. master the "breath of fire" and "one-minute breath" - the BEST yoga breaths for singers!
2. master the "sinus humming exercises" - identifying where EACH note in your range originates in your own head
3. master the "full-body exercises" - traditional singing exercises on "mah, mee, moh, moo, meh" - so that you can move easily between your chest voice, middle voice, and head voice
4. master 2-10 songs or more, depending on your level and the level of difficulty of each song - being able to sing each song in TUNE, with feeling, and having a blast doing it!!
5. if you wish, you can perform your song(s) at one of my voice and piano recitals - on a REAL Austin stage!!

Piano lessons - I teach a wide range of piano styles at levels from beginner to early advanced, beginning around age 5. Whether you want to learn classical, rock, blues, country, boogie-woogie, or other styles of piano and keyboard playing, I will sculpt your lesson plan so that you have a great foundation in technique AND you learn the styles and songs you wish to play.

In 3-6 months, you will be able to:

1. master the Leschetizky, hand massage, and isometric warm-up exercises - the BEST piano warm-ups!
2. depending on your level, master Hanon exercises 1-12, major and minor scales, major and minor arpeggios
3. for beginners, you will be able to play with BOTH hands on the treble and bass clefs - at the same time!!
4. master the I-IV-V progression in 3-12 keys, depending on your level - so that you can play blues, rock, country, boogie-woogie, and ragtime songs!!
5. master 4-20 songs or more, depending on your level and the level of difficulty of each song (classical songs tend to take more time to master) - being able to play each song with great technique, with feeling, and having a blast doing it!!
6. if you wish, you can perform your song(s) at one of my voice and piano recitals - on a REAL Austin stage!!

Songwriting lessons - I will teach you how to create a great song, in the style you wish to write in. Country songs, pop songs, rock tunes, r'n' b, folk, etc. - all of these genres have "unwritten rules" about how to put together an effective song. We will utilize special songwriting exercises and tools to help you learn to be a wonderful songwriter.

DJ lessons - I teach beat matching, turntable fine-tuning and repertoire selection to help you become the DJ you aspire to be. I own crates and crates of vinyl records and CDs, and I have DJ'd all over the world to enthusiastic crowds, so I can teach you to attain a real joy and skill in the art of turntablism.

Yoga lessons - I am a fully KRI-certified yoga teacher and I can help you develop a valuable yoga routine to help you achieve your health and relaxation goals. We will choose from literally hundreds of exercises and breathing techniques specifically geared to your needs and wants.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Pro Tools mBox PRO Full Recording Studio
Yamaha U1 Upright Piano
Shure SM 58 Microphone
Shure SM 57 Microphone
Korg microKorg Synthesizer
Yamaha M06 Synthesizer
Yamaha StagePas 300 PA System
Neumann TLM 103 Microphone
Neumann KMS 105 Microphone
Nord Lead Synthesizer
Taylor Acoustic Guitar
West African Djembe
MacBook Pro Computer
Universal Audio LA-610 Pre-amp
2 Technics 1200 Professional DJ Turntables
American DJ Pro-Scratch 1 Professional CDJ
Rane MP22 DJ Mixer
Mogami Professional Audio Cables

*** Travel Equipment ***
Yamaha M06 Synthesizer
Yamaha StagePas 300 PA System
Neumann KMS 105 Microphone
Macintosh Laptop Computer

*** Specialties ***
music, singing, piano, songwriting, DJ'ing, yoga, folk guitar

I have developed "Yoga for the Voice" - a combination of my 18 years of studying and receiving certification in the "Science of Singing" (as taught by Ernest George White of London, England) and my 10 years experience and certification in yoga, specifically ancient yoga breathing techniques. I will work with voice students as young as 4 and as old as they want to go! Voice lessons span all styles and all levels - pop, rock, r 'n' b, country, folk, singer-songwriter, opera, classical, musical theater, etc. from beginner to advanced. Generally beginning around age 7.

Piano - levels beginner to early advanced, most styles, including classical, rock, pop, folk, country, singer-songwriter, blues and boogie-woogie. Generally beginning around age 5.

Songwriting - all popular styles, including rock, pop, folk, country, blues, singer-songwriter, r 'n' b, etc.

DJ'ing - all basic DJ methods, including beat matching, turntable basics and repertoire selection.

Yoga - yoga breathing AND physical exercises, depending on the needs and wants of the student.

Folk guitar - finger picking and accompaniment skills for folk singers.

In piano, I specialize in teaching students who want to play a wide variety of music - classical, pop, rock, country, blues, etc. I begin with piano students who are 5 years of age and older, as long as they have the requisite attention span.

In songwriting, I specialize in teaching students methods of developing popular songs - pop, r 'n' b, country, rock, folk, etc.

In DJ'ing, I specialize in basic beatmatching and repertoire selection.

And in yoga, I specialize in tailoring the yogic needs of the student - whether she/he wishes to work on stretching, breathing, abdominal strengthening, etc.

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

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

plays, musicals, commercials, etc. I've worked with folks locally in LA, and all over the world. I love what I do!

History has always fascinated me. The way our world has developed and changed and continues to evolve is amazing. Everything can be tied back to the past, and I feel it's important to take a look back, put yourself in that time, and really study how things were to help understand why things are the way they are now.

Crocheting and knitting are a couple of good habits/hobbies I picked up about 10 years ago. I sell scarves online and I'm always working on some sort of project. I will have you knitting and pearling with the best of them!

Music, history, crochet, and knitting....I'm your girl!

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.

er sung in the shower and just want to get more comfortable using their own voice for fun. I also specialize in teaching music theory (including how to read music, rhythm practice, and harmony), playing an instrument and singing at the same time, and songwriting coaching. I degree in music from Brown University, have been a professional, performing musician for 12 years, and have been teaching private lessons and classes for 8 years.

For those in bands: I specialize in harmony and can do consultation sessions with you and/or your band to help with blending, finding harmonies that work for your respective vocal ranges and for the flow of the song, and teaching skills for finding and building harmonies.

MATH: As a middle and high school student, I didn't believe I was "good" at math. It wasn't until I was an adult and was hired as a math tutor - and later promoted to Assistant Director - of a tutoring company that I realized that was a belief that had held me back. Many kids and young adults struggle with confidence around math, and having had experience with that myself I use tools that help meet students where they're at and support them in building enthusiasm for math and confidence in themselves. In addition to providing tangible math skills (I have not only been tutoring Algebra, Geometry, SAT prep, elementary and middle school math for 5 years, but have also helped run a math tutoring company in which I built year-long curricula for grades K-12), I help students feel that math is within their grasp and can be approached with curiosity rather than fear and low self-esteem.

r of Robin's students have attended or participated in the the University of North Texas, the Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA), Luther College, Tisch School of the Arts, Minnesota Opera Clinic, and Minnesota All-State Choir. He currently serves as Associate Professor of Voice at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.