Bala Cynwyd, PA Opera Voice Lessons

Julia Dehning in the world premier of the opera The Making of Americans at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. She received her Master's degree in vocal performance from The Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University, where, upon graduation, she was awarded The Phyllis Bryn-Julson Prize for Commitment to and Performance of 20th and 21st Century Music.

Ms. S. currently serves on the Board of Directors of MATA, an organization dedicated to supporting young composers from around the world. She is also co-founder, along with award winning superstar composers Lisa Bielawa and Aaron Jay Kernis, of Your Music Bus, and is the founder and director of Stone Mason Projects, a boutique production company specializing in endeavors related to new music for voice. She is in high demand as a voice teacher for competitive students and professional singers, and lectures on the social significance of music history topics related to contemporary repertoire.

Pamela has been teaching music and voice for more than ten years. Currently, she teaches voice and music theory at Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts Extension Division for their Young Artist Program, and is on the voice faculty of the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown, NJ. Prior to these positions, she was an adjunct lecturer at City College of New York, CUNY where she taught music theory, musicianship, and composition. Additionally, she spent two years as the chair of the voice department at The College of Saint Elizabeth, where she has taught private vocal instruction, as well as lecture courses in music history, music theory, vocal pedagogy, and ear training.

Pamela's students have performed with Paper Mill Playhouse, Continuo Arts Foundation, Assisi Performing Arts Festival in Italy, Carnegie Hall, Opera at Florham, the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, In Mid Air Productions, and many other companies around the East Coast and abroad. Her students have placed in vocal competitions including Mid Atlantic Music Festival, Golden Key, National League of Performing Arts festival, and many others. In addition to her work as a teacher of music, Pamela has worked as a Teacher's Assistant at Columbia University's Department of Astronomy, for the class Theories of the Universe: From Babylon to the Big Bang.

Pamela also maintains a private studio of voice students, and is available to give lessons from her home in Newtown, PA. In the past, Pamela worked for Rider University as a private tutor for students in music theory, music history, and French. Pamela was active in the vocal pedagogy program at The Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University through which she taught voice lessons while earning her master's degree in vocal performance. Pamela has held substitute positions teaching voice and piano at Spotlight Music in Flemington, New Jersey and was on the roster of teachers at Bravissimo Music, a branch of Ivy Bound Test Prep.

*** Lesson Details ***
My teaching is goal oriented but always supportive and encouraging. Students can expect lessons to consist of vocal technique building and repertoire study. Lessons are very individually geared towards each student's unique needs and goals. Students who follow my instruction always see and hear results.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect the student to have a piano, or at least a high quality electric keyboard.

*** Specialties ***
classical voice, contemporary music performance

s in Early Childhood and Elementary Education at West Chester University.

I served on the faculty of Suburban Music School for 17 years where I taught voice, piano and recorder lessons. I also directed the Children’s Choir and the Women’s Choir. I was formerly on the faculty of Delaware County Community College where I taught courses in the Music Department; and of Temple Music Prep where I instituted, developed and maintained a vocal program at Temple University’s Ambler Campus.

In addition to teaching I was employed for eleven years as a chorister at Christ Church Christiana Hundred in Greenville, DE where I have had the opportunity to sing for such notable conductors as John Rutter, Sir David Wilcox, Sir Philip Ledger, Stephen Cleobury, and James O’Donnell. Previous choral work has included singing for Dr. Ifor Jones and for Michael Korn. I perform in solo and chamber music recitals throughout the Philadelphia area and in Cape May, NJ and with a Celtic group called Celtic Women and Friends.

*** Lesson Details ***
Voice Lessons

When you study voice with me, you will start with the basics - posture, breathing and tone production. If you have studied before, we will review these areas and brush up on anything that needs work. The next step is to learn some vocal exercises to warm up and develop your voice. When the exercises are going well, we will begin to work on songs. You will need to learn some classical songs because they help to develop your voice, but we will also work on the kind of music you like best. In addition to songs, we will work on solfege (do, re, mi, etc.) which helps to train your ear and to improve your sightreading ability. If you don't know how to read music I will teach you that. If you read music but have some gaps in your knowledge, we will fill those in.

I teach what is called bel canto (beautiful singing). It is a healthy vocal technique that will help you avoid vocal problems. When you learn to sing with this technique, you can sing any style of music you want. After a few months of study, you should be able to tell that your voice is growing stronger, that you have better breath control, and that your range is increasing.

Although I have high expectations of my students, I am relaxed and friendly. If you love to laugh, we will enjoy that together!

Piano Lessons

When you study piano with me you will enjoy playing a variety of songs from your lesson book. As you advance, we may add a repertoire book which increases the number and variety of songs you play. There are many excellent piano methods. I use different methods for different students, depending on their needs.

Lessons will include posture and proper hand position, warm-ups, songs and music theory. Music theory is the study of notation and how music is put together. You will have a workbook with exercises for this study. If there is a particular style of music you would like to play, we will look for music at your level to add to your lesson. After a few months of study, you should know how to read basic notation and be able to play a number of songs. You will also have increased your knowledge of musical notation and harmony.

I expect my students to practice in preparation for their lesson every week. I am relaxed and friendly, so that should help to put you at your ease.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano, music stand, stereo equip, seating for parents

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in teaching the bel canto style singing. With this technique, a person can sing any style of music she or he chooses.

our goals.

*** Lesson Details ***
Every voice lesson will consist of equal time instruction through vocal exercises and instruction through song. I have a very laid-back and fun approach to singing and teaching. I feel that the studio should be an enjoyable place and the voice lesson should be a time of the week to which the student looks forward. During the first lesson the student and I will set achievable goals in achievable time spans specific to the level and skill of the singer. I will give the student all the tools to achieve their goals, including weekly skill and muscle training exercises tailored to the student's needs.

*** Studio Equipment ***
In home studio, Baby Grand Piano, Guitar, Microphone and amplifier, seating for parents.

*** Travel Equipment ***
They need a piano or keyboard

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in classical voice, using the pricipals of natural acoustics and comfortability in vocal production. Creating a resonance that is natural, beautiful, and individual to each singer.

test virtues of a music teacher are passion, patience, understanding, and communicating. You will experience this in the studio. Give yourself a treat of two months of lessons and I promise you will be playing and/or singing better than you expected.

Member of MTNA (Music Teachers National Association), NFMC (National Federation of Music Clubs),
NJFMC (NJ Fed. of Music Clubs). MENC (Music Ed National Conference),

*** Lesson Details ***
I am generally easy going and laid-back and will work with you to obtain specific goals such as a piece you would really like to learn. I can be strict if assignments are not followed or if there is no progression; we need to analyze why that is. I use many teaching methods as there are many different learning styles. The series I am currently using are Faber, Alfred, and Celebrate Piano! for pianists. Many singers are in Broadway, Disney, and/or English Reliquary and Italian Arias. There are so many wonderful choices! I can guarantee after three months you will be playing some music you like, and you will be reading music, and able to perform if you wish (starting small). With singing you will have basic knowledge of proper posture, breathing, and increased range. I also so enjoy people and communicating so you will feel comfortable taking lessons, and I believe that is one major factor of success in learning an instrument: the student-teacher relationship And second for children, especially the young, is the parent-teacher relationship .

*** Studio Equipment ***
Studio: Yamaha baby grand piano, Kawaii studio upright and keyboard, Yamaha keyboard, recording abilities, computer software, couch and two chairs, parents can sit in on lesson. Also have computer programs for note learning, composition, as well as giving you apps to download.

*** Specialties ***
Different methods for different students. Piano: mostly Faber and Alfred series. "Prodigy": Aaron/Thompson series. I've also had graduate study in teaching the Adult Beginner! As I was a church music director 1994 till last September, I am very familiar with traditional and contemporary sacred music, learning and performing. If you also wish to combine singing and accompanying yourself on piano or guitar lessons can be tailored.

z and Friends, (Marriage of Figaro/ Count Almaviva and Fidelio/ Solo Prisoner), A Touch of Classics (La Boheme/ Schaunard), Center UpCity Opera Theater (Un Ballo in Maschera/ Samuel), the Germantown Oratorio Choir (Messiah), the Sacred Music Series of St. Paul’s in Doylestown (Messiah and Creation) and was also the Baritone soloist for the Verdi Band of Norristown during their 2010 and 2011 seasons.

Matthew is the leader of a professional quartet, The Clarion Voices (www.clarionvoices.com), specializing in A Capella Music of a wide range of musical styles. He also performs recitals in area universities and churches with his Celebration of Song both solo and with Soprano and piano, featuring some of his original compositions. He continues to be a 'ringer' for numerous area choral groups including Vox-Amadeus and since 2011 as part of the Professional Quartet at Beth David Reform Congregation in Gladwynne. Matthew was also the music director for the Huntingdon Valley Presbyterian Church for two years in 2007 and 2008. Matthew is also a freelance trombonist professionally and a composer of classical music.

er Center. Last summer, she understudied Sybil Vane in Loehmann’s The Picture of Dorian Grey. In 2013, she performed the role of Suor Osmina in their production of Suor Angelica, and covered the roles of Fortuna and Venere in their production of L’coronazione di Poppea. She also portrayed Pamina, La Contessa, Ilia, Anne Truelove and Laurie Moss in their various scenes programs.

Rachel completed her Bachelor’s of Music at Mannes College in 2012. There, she performed in their Opera Scenes Workshop and their Rise of Modernism Festival, singing Canciones populares Españolas by Manuel de Falla.

technique, but also on finding the inner strength and confidence that it takes to be a singer. I am understanding of, and sympathetic towards students from all different backgrounds and experience levels. My students and I work to create a unique set of goals, and we map out how we get there TOGETHER.

I have experience teaching adults, young adults and children, in pop, musical theater and classical/operatic genres. All of my teaching experience has been in private studio settings.

Here are some of my reviews

"Had my first lesson with Leah and can't wait for my second! I've never had voice lessons before and was nervous and super self-conscious but she was so nice and we jumped right into the lesson." -Tracy D.

"Great teacher. Explains things in a way it's easy to understand. She made me feel very comfortable on the first day and was very attentive to what my goals were." -Christine S.

"Leah listens to a specific need of mine and points me in the right direction to achieve that goal. She also has a wide range of vocal skills and knowledge, so she can pretty much help you tackle any vocal challenge you have." -Eirene Z.

"Leah has a very good personality and makes me feel so comfortable during our classes! I can improve my vocal skills in a very friendly atmosphere knowing she will help me with all my questions." -Yulia S.

"Leah is an awesome and enthusiastic voice teacher and person. She creates a laid back environment and structures the lessons around your individual style and goals. Additionally, she is flexible and works with you to make sure you're able to have a lesson each week. I highly recommend taking lessons with Leah ! :)" --Brandon L.

t parts of singing and why it is one of the best things in the world!