Bryn Mawr, PA Opera Voice Lessons

I am an active professional classical/opera singer with eight years of teaching experience. My students include a range of levels and ages who vary in musical aspirations and sing in many different styles, including opera, art song, jazz, blues, pop, and musical theater. My students have gone on to sing on Broadway, pursue music and theater degrees, compete and win competitions. Many of my students also study piano or guitar in order to increase musicianship and independence in study. Students are given every opportunity to become well-rounded, performing musicians when studying with me. I am a friendly, open-minded, enthusiastic musician who loves teaching others!

I have been teaching voice for 30 years. My work at Temple University has prepared me for teaching the workings of opera singing - bel canto style. Bel canto literally means beautiful singing. Excellent technique is of the utmost importance. You will enhance your technique and artistry as well as expand your repertoire.

Voice lessons consist of learning a solid vocal technique and singing arias from the standard operatic repertoire. Students learn to sing in Italian, German, and French, in addition to English. For beginners, Italian art songs and German Lieder are introduced initially, learning first to sing classical repertoire.

I have been teaching for the past 7 years and am passionate about healthy, comfortable singing. My lessons are structured to include vocal warmups/technique exercises, sight singing to strengthen musicianship and then the working of repertoire. I will have suggestions for repertoire, but also am happy to work on anything the student may be interested in.

As a professional opera singer and recitalist, Rachel uses her first-hand experience in the business to guide her students and to teach them healthy vocal technique. Her students find her to be energetic, warm, and one of her biggest goals is to make her students feel more empowered when they leave than when they arrived. Music is a transformative art form and she hopes to enrich her student’s lives.

Learning proper singing technique is essential for the health of singers of all ages and genres. And YES! Everyone can sing! Rachel personalizes each lesson to her students' needs and provides a safe and fun atmosphere that is essential to creative learning. Musicianship, better intonation, breath control, support, tone quality, freedom of sound, and a love of music are all topics covered in voice lessons.

I love teaching. I go into every lesson with the belief that the student is there to learn; if they weren't interested in learning, they wouldn't be there. Because I have always had diverse musical interests, I create a stress-free atmosphere for my students by allowing them to pursue whatever avenues of music interest them. My degrees may be in Jazz Studies and Performance, but I have extensive experience with Classical and Popular music; I provide a unique perspective and enthusiasm to every student.

As a bass opera singer and professional voice over artist, I am dedicated to creating a healthy and beautiful sound with my own voice and the voices of my students. I will not come into our lessons saying there is a single way to sing. In fact, many genres require a great deal of varying vocal techniques and stylized voices. What I will do is help to lay a foundation in healthy singing so that you feel comfortable singing any genre. We will start by ensuring that your breath and vowel placement feels comfortable and from there move into repertoire of your choosing or some that I recommend based upon your interests. You will leave your tenure with me empowered to continue your passion and career for singing long after your lessons end. Music is meant to be shared. Together, we will help you to share the music and passion that you hold so dear.

Recent graduate of West Chester University of PA, holding a master in vocal performance, and being a vocal accompanist at the same time.

Earned my undergrad degree in piano and composition, so I have solid piano technique.

Teaching emphasized both on techniques and musicianship, and more importantly the talents and interests of each individual student. Approach is tailor made for different students, so as to achieve their potential and develop their love of singing.