Duquesne, PA Opera Voice Lessons

perform at Duquesne University’s Rome campus, successfully completing their Lirica Roma program.

Bo has had numerous success teaching students of all ages. Whether they aspire to become professionals or just singing as a hobby, her teaching techniques are adaptive to each individual student’s needs. She is also offering reading, speaking, and writing tutoring in Mandarin Chinese.

*** Lesson Details ***
As a voice teacher, I believe that my job is to allow the students to discover their own unique characteristics. I like to teach in an relaxed environment where the student will be able to develop a healthy (learning bad techniques can be harmful to the throat and body) strong techniques. It is important for the students to learn their own bodies and limit, while being taught to use their bodies to help produce beautiful singing.

Singing is more than just about using their voice and achieving proper technique.. It is equally important to learn the music history, theory, acting, etc. appropriate to the piece they are working on. When everything comes together with proper singing and the correct knowledge, students will be able to perform a piece in an intelligent manner.

Finally, something I have learned from my previous teachers, it is important to go beyond being just a teacher, and become a role-model and a mentor to my students.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Music studio of BB

*** Specialties ***
Music performance, Opera Voice, Broadway Singing

ere in Pittsburgh premiering works by local composers and created the role of Pamela in the premiere of TOOWHOPERA by composer Sorrel Hays in Rome, GA. On the concert stage, I have recently appeared with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Orchestra, Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra, Chattanooga Bach Choir and CreateHere'™s Hops and Opera.

Highlights of my performances include Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflote with West Bay Opera, Stockton Opera, Opera San Jose and Pocket Opera, Despina in Cosi fan tutte with Mission City Opera, Blonde in Abduction from the Seraglio and Yvette in La Rondine with Pocket Opera, Cunegonde in Candide with Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. Other roles include Rosa Bud in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Abigail in The Crucible, Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, Zerlina in Don Giovanni, Madame Herz in The Impresario, Lucy in Threepenny Opera, Monica in The Medium, and Pamina in The Magic Flute.

I was a featured performer in a series of concerts in Europe, South America, and Australia aboard Cunard'™s Vistafjord and Royal Viking Sun.

I was named a world finalist in the Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition, a regional finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, a semi-finalist in the Jenny Lind Competition and a regional winner in the MacAllister Competition.

*** Lesson Details ***
Whether it is preparing for a competition, an audition or a role for the school play, I enjoy helping students of all ages reach their goals. I structure the curriculum to the individual needs of my students, focusing on healthy vocal technique, musicianship, stage presence, and joy in music.

During your first lesson, you will sing various vocalises to determine how you negotiate the changes in registration, what your vocal range is, and what you have to work on to improve your vocal quality, stamina, and flexibility.

If you do not see an available time, please call Takelessons. I sometimes have availability that is not visible on my calendar.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Living Room: baby grand, couch, chair, bench, small table, adjoining dining room where parents can wait.

studio, or online lessons.

gh the Ezio Pinza Concil for American Singers of Opera in Italy, the American Singers' Opera Project of North Carolina, and the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria.
As a teacher, I completed a year-long vocal pedagogy course with Cynthia Bess which provided me with a thorough understanding of the anatomy and psychology of singing, as well as a systematic approach to the correction of vocal faults. One of my students, a teen-aged boy, was selected to attend Eastman's summer program for high school students, and another student received a full college scholarship in music. Several of my students have performed leading roles in school, community, and university musical productions.
I hold a full voting membership in the National Association of Teachers of Singing, am a Licensed Kindermusik Educator, am employed as Director of Music Ministry for a fairly large church, and am a chapter officer for the American Guild of Organists. I was also a teaching artist at Propel East Charter School for Greensburg American Opera and directed the Old Economy Singers (a twenty-voice historical choir) for six years.

*** Lesson Details ***
I provide professional, knowledgeable, and individualized instruction in a supportive and encouraging environment. During the course of study with me, I expect voice students will improve vocal technique and sound quality, alleviate physical tension which may be interfering with phonation, expand their range, learn new repertoire, increase confidence, and grow as performing artists.
My vocal teaching method focuses on correct breathing and resonance; I also incorporate some activities from Barry Green's "Inner Game of Music" technique. Although my teaching is grounded in a scientific approach to the process of phonation, I also believe singing should be a fun experience for the student. We sing to communicate! I believe that a thorough technical foundation is necessary for free and healthy singing in any genre of music. I am willing to work with students in the vocal styles that interest them most; although my professional performance experience is in opera and musical theatre, I have also successfully worked with students whose interests included jazz, pop, rock, folk music, contemporary Christian music, and choral singing.
My piano pedagogical method matches each student with the right curriculum-- Alfred, Schaum, or Piano Adventures-- plus supplemental technical exercises such as scales, arpeggios, and Czerny and Hanon exercises. All students are exposed to theory through worksheets, games, and other applied activities. As soon as possible, I introduce "real" repertoire from master composers.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Grand piano, electronic piano, music library, photo copier for copies of repertoire, music stands, Sing and See software.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide copies of music and exercises. If I am teaching at a student's home, I expect him/her to provide a keyboard instrument.

*** Specialties ***
I believe that a strong technical foundation emphasizing correct breathing and placement will allow voice students to sing in a healthy manner in any style of music. My professional performance credentials are primarily in opera, but I also have musical theatre experience and have successfully worked with students whose interests include opera, musical theatre, jazz, pop, rock, gospel, Irish folk music, and choral singing. In piano lessons, I emphasize technique and musicianship through a balance of exercises, repertoire, and theory activities.

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

-awareness, relaxation, and nurturing of individuality are emphasized above all.

Though I have a long background in performing arts and performing arts education, my teaching philosophies and techniques draw primarily from my study of movement and mindfulness through disciplines such as yoga, and especially the Feldenkrais Method, "a remarkable approach to human movement, learning and change... based on sound principles of physics, neurology and physiology, and the conditions under which the nervous system learns best." (The Feldenkrais Institute, NY, NY, 2013).

Training/experience:

- Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement Teacher
- Feldenkrais Practitioner Training Program certification in process
- Bachelor of Music, Highest Honors, SUNY Binghamton
- Professional singing in the US and Europe
- Professional acting throughout the US, theater and film (member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA)
- 100+ hours of YA approved yoga teacher training
- Eclectic studies in voice and body work (Linklater, Sound Healing, various dance styles, Kinetic Awareness, Tai Chi, Beijing Opera techniques)
- Kids/family music teacher certified by Music Together (an amazing, international, research-based program)
- Teaching artist (opera, chorus, musical theater, acting/improv, mindfulness) at schools around NYC - Bronx High School for Law and Finanace, PS 129, Yorkville East MS, Baruch MS, Anderson MS, PS 3
- Former fitness instructor

Finding mastery in practices of music, acting, and mindfulness have core similarities - when you find your flow, it feels like flying. But we have to start from the ground up. The stronger the foundation, the higher you fly. Let's get started!

Notes on teaching locations:

- HOME STUDIO: For a number of reasons, I prefer to teach at my home studio whenever possible. I have two friendly cats - hope you aren't allergic!

- ONLINE: For some students, online lessons are very effective, but for others, it is imperative to meet in person. So if you would like to try online lessons, please message me first to discuss,

Peace,
Briana

bands, musical theater and cabaret performances, recitals and concerts, as well as religious and sacred music at churches, weddings, and funerals.