West Linn, OR Classical Voice Lessons

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.
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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).

excellent communication skills, patience and enthusiasm, and work well with children and all ages. I feel that music is an important part of education, and it aids in the development of cognitive and motor skills. And most of all, it is fun and rewarding, and a skill to last a lifetime!

network television variety program, "The Gene Carroll Show", that was a television institution for over 30 years in the Midwest. I was a featured performer on that program for over 7 years, all the while perfecting the art of "playing to a camera." This experience was invaluable, and the knowledge I gathered is now included in my curriculum. I also began performing a solo act in the nightclub circuit at the age of 15, performing up and down the "north coast" from Cleveland, OH, (my home), to Erie. PA. At a very young age, I learned the difficult art of choosing musical material and pacing a show; also adapting to performing under a myriad of conditions with a vast array of musical accompaniment. After graduating college with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing, I assembled my own band, and took to the road. That experience eventually brought the act to Las Vegas in 1982. Over the years my show has been a staple in major casino cabarets in Las Vegas, and all over Nevada. Since my first engagement at The Landmark Hotel in the early 1980's, I have literally been up and down the famed Las Vegas Strip many times over. The Desert Inn, The Dunes, The Stardust, The Maxim, The Tropicana, New York New York, Mandalay Bay, MGM, Bally's, The Flamingo, The Imperial Palace, The Four Queens, The Golden Nugget, The Fremont, The Venetian, The Palazzo, and a three year engagement at The Riviera. My show is truly comprised of musical variety; classics, show tunes, jazz, rock, blues, r&b, country. Even a presentation of "Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera, that I perform in full costume. It is this ability to successfully deliver an extensive repertoire that I am enthusiastic about passing along to the next generation of entertainers.

I have been truly blessed in my career to have experienced so many highlights; too many to document. From winning an understudy roll in the Broadway Musical "Platinum" starring Hollywood actress Alexis Smith, to performing our National Anthem at events ranging from Major League Baseball to ESPN Boxing to receptions for major dignitaries, to recording 7 albums and a full-length video, to being asked to perform for Mr. Frank Sinatra at the Frank Sinatra Celebrity Golf Tournament, I have lived a full life on stage, learning and absorbing every bit of knowledge gathered along the way.
Now it is my desire to escalate my status as an educator to a more "one on one" experience; availing myself the opportunity to pass along that wealth of knowledge to individual students who aspire to enjoy the entertainment profession as I have, providing them with the skills needed to successfully compete. Or, should it be their choice not to pursue entertainment as a vocation, to gain a working understanding of all facets of their instrument so as to gain a better appreciation of music. Whatever the goal of the student, I feel that I am equipped to provide them with the tools needed to achieve that goal.

*** Lesson Details ***
Content of Sessions

Generally, the first 10-15 minutes of each lesson will be focused on vocal warm up and exercise. (For guitar students, we will review the previous
week's assignment). For Vocal Students, it is understood that the voice mechanism is made up of muscles, and as an athlete prepares for a sporting event, a singer must prepare to vocalize. It is at this time in our lesson when the student will develop good habits of voice maintenance, which will serve them well throughout their careers. The proper care and preservation of the vocal unit cannot be stressed enough, especially for pubescent and pre-pubescent students. Vocal chords in a developmental stage are most susceptible to damage, and because they are particularly sensitive, they must be handled with care. Our warm up regimen is designed to strengthen as well as preserve the singing voice.

I am not an advocate of getting too involved and "bogged down" in the technical aspects of singing, especially with the young students, and
especially early in our program. This is not to say that breath control, tonality, pitch, etc. are not vital to good singing, because these workings are ESSENTIAL, and their application will certainly be incorporated into our studies. Some instructors, on occasion, have a tendency to lose sight of the fact that much to do with singing happens "naturally", and too much focus on the "technical" can actually be inhibiting. This can alter a beautiful, natural tone into one that is unnatural and contrived.

I adhere to the philosophy that above all else, SINGERS WANT TO SING SONGS, and musicians-in-training want to play music. That is our focus, and all of our training is conceived with that objective in mind. All the technical knowledge and coaching serves no purpose without practical application. It is my belief that the most significant progress occurs when a vocalist is singing a song.

Nearly every element of instruction can be utilized in the performance of one song. This is why the majority of our session time will be spent "in song". For the very young student, we will concentrate our efforts with the students choices of favorite and familiar songs. The older students will undoubtedly have favorite songs, styles and artists. Special attention will be paid to the genre most enjoyed by the student, but diversity will be emphasized as well, and a variety of genres will be unpacked and explored. I believe that whatever a student's musical goals and aspirations, it is in their best interest to gain knowledge and insight in all facets of music, singing, and performance.

The most vital pre-requisite for any student is their enthusiasm. My ambition will be to harness that enthusiasm and channel it productively through stimulating instruction. Our sessions will be informative and educational, but always predicated upon "having fun with music".

I am proud to feature a curriculum that emphasizes the entertainment aspect of singing as well as the technical; created to benefit all ages and experience levels, from beginner to seasoned professional. After just weeks of my "Triple Threat Training" a student will begin to see astounding results: vocally, musically, and in the art of performance. I am excited to share my knowledge with you. Let's get started!

***Performance Opportunities For Students***
I am very proud to share a long time friendship and association with Mr. Frank La Spina and his organization The Youth Musical Scholarship Foundation. Together we host shows and events that feature the most gifted and promising students of all ages in venues ranging from The Italian-American Club Showroom to the fabulous Smith Center For the Performing Arts. Many of my students have been featured in their OWN shows!! If you desire to hone your craft in front of audience in a quality venue, I can and WILL make that happen!!

*** Studio Equipment ***
My studio is equipped with a full vocal sound system with microphones that I utilize to teach the valuable art of mic technique. Young students enjoy using the mics and hearing themselves sing and perform. Since our lessons are predicated on enjoying the art of singing, this opportunity has proven invaluable. For the advanced performer, studying all aspects of amplification and what a singer should know about their stage sound is a part of our educational curriculum. My studio is furnished with the equipment that is essential to mastering that knowledge.
Since the practical aspect of my course is based on singing songs, I provide all the latest technology required to allow my students the opportunity to sing the songs of their choosing, with and without the lead vocal tracks. I feel that when students are singing their favorite songs, it offers me the greatest teaching opportunities. I make certain the every musical genre can be represented, and feel I have the knowledge and ability to guide the student is whatever their musical tastes. My studio is also equipped with piano (for vocal exercises), and guitars, which gives me opportunity to accompany my students when the musical moment is appropriate. Be assured that all the technology I need to fulfill the educational needs of my students is but a step away!! I AM ESPECIALLY EXCITED ABOUT MY STUDENTS BEING AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECORD THEIR MUSIC. My studio is equipped with full-service, state-of-the-art digital recording equipment. Many of my students have recorded full length albums. This not only provides an extraordinary teaching tool, but also a wonderful memory for student's family and friends!!

understand what they couldn't in the classroom. I help the students by teaching in innovative ways that will catch their attention more than standard teaching methods. Students should consider me for I can make learning fun and never a chore!

*** Lesson Details ***
I use a wide variety of techniques to sing, play piano and other instruments. Techniques include straight vowel singing (no words) to test how long to hold notes, using color to help people sight read, using improvisational techniques in order to play jazz, rock, classical and many other styles of music.
I use what they student has under his or her belt as a starting point to see what lessons we could start them on.
I also assist with online lessons to make transportation a thing of the past. If you've got a webcam or Skype, I can do long-distance lessons with you! So, I am here to help!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Alesis Recital Keyboard
Music sheets
Web cam
Mac computer (MacBook Pro)
Finale music notation software to help in composition and theory lessons.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Music paper for away lessons.
Finale for composition and music theory lessons.
Can use macbook for more elaborate teaching or demonstration if need be.

*** Specialties ***
I do teach classical composition with specialties in ensemble and chamber music. I also specialize in songwriting for pop and other media.
I teach voice and vocal techniques of sacred choral and vocal music.
I teach classical and jazz piano and improvisation. I also have the distinction in being able to teach students with special needs or learning disabilities as I have a mild form of cerebral palsy and understand what students with special needs go through.

has won several classical singing competitions. She was a finalist in the International Bach Vocal Competition, "Musica Sacra."

Ruth Ann is currently working as a private music teacher and music composer.

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.

es life-long learning.

I am a believer that art is a reflection of ourselves and artists must continue to affect change by promoting music as a cultural force. Art cannot exist in a vacuum, and so our charge is to bring music to the communities, to the concert halls, to the stages, to the schools--in these places, we can bring people together in a common and transcending moment of art.