Elkins Park Music 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

After that it is teaching the student technique and helping them through the growing process of their voice. This technique is for the healthiest kind of singing and will preserve the voice for a much longer time then would other styles of singing. That being said, a person can still sing other styles with a slight variation to the technique, but still keeping things healthy and feeling good.

I have added that I am willing to teach individuals who have special needs. I will say that where I teach does have stairs and is not wheelchair accessable. I am sorry about that. I do work at a school for children with developmental disabilities during the day and have been there for almost 4 years now. I have worked with adults as well as children. This has not been in a music setting, but I do have some ideas as to how to make it fulfilling for them as possible. That being said I will be honest with these individuals as well as patient. I believe that they should be treated equally and therefore will get the same level of attention as any of my other students.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am a fairly laid back teacher, with the philosophy that the student must find their own reason for practicing and work hard. If the student is a young child, I believe that they sing because they love to do it and that love should not be killed by becoming a chore. I would encourage them to practice more in the form of play. This is the work of children after all.
If the student is older, and at an age where they are more serious about the work that comes from learning how to sing properly. Then they should be able to find their inspiration for practicing. I am a firm believer that no one can change someone except for them-self.
The idea of a curriculum would of course differ from student to student, but it also differs with age. With young children, the first goal would be to see how well they match pitch, because it will be difficult to get the student to work on technique if they have trouble matching pitch. Therefore that would be my first goal. After that, I would test the students range and work on teaching them technique.
If the student is in the process of changing their voice, I will work on helping them through this change and help them to find their new voice. This is where the biggest chance of students loosing their real voice and starting to mimic other older singers. The fact is that, they will have a more mature voice in time, but they need to sing in their voice and the more mature sound will come. The main thing will be working on stretching there range little by little. This is because after the male voice changes, they tend to have a very small range. This would be the large overall goal to teach them to use their own voice, stretch their range, and learn technique.
If the student is in their upper teens, then they should have a larger range, but they may still need to find their own voice. The next part will be just teaching the student technique and stretching their range.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano and guitar

*** Travel Equipment ***
I could supply a keyboard if need be.

*** Specialties ***
Choral Singing, Classical singing, Ear training, and Musicianship

r a ouple of years. Over the years I have had performing experience with violin duets and trios with a classical guitarist on a number of occasions for weddings, Christmas shows, and restaurant events. Some of my performance venues include the 800 Bay Restaurant and Club, the Four Seasons, the Sugarhouse Casino, and the Pyramid Club.

In addition to my musical career, I am also heavily training in the sport of ice dancing. Currently, my brother and ice dance partner, Stephen, and I are 3 time national competitors at the championship level with plans to compete internationally. Through my experience as a performer both in music and on the ice, I can give to each student not only the ability to create music through the violin, but also the mental ability to handle performing and competitive atmospheres.

*** Lesson Details ***
My lessons offer an extensive education in technique, musicality, music theory, and most importantly, effective practice methods that increase capability and skill rapidly. I tailor my lessons specifically according to the student's abilities and strengths, while incorporating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Typically, I use the Suzuki and Strictly Strings books for beginner students, and I will then advance to etude studies such as Wolfarht and Sevick in addition to the Suzuki sequels for my intermediate students. Lastly, I will add Introducing the Positions, Mazas, Josephine Trott Double Stops, and solo concertos to my advanced students.

After a few months, my students acquire a well rounded knowledge and feel for the violin and classical music and appreciate the art and beauty music brings to life. They are always strongly impacted and inspired to pursue and achieve higher goals and activities.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a living room with a grand piano, two music stands, and seating for parents.

*** Travel Equipment ***
My violin, a music stand, extra music, fingerboard tape, a metronome, stickers, and a tuner. I will expect my student to have his own violin and bow, a case, a shoulder rest, and music, music stand (can be portable), and a notebook for recording lesson assignments and corrections.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in classical violin, and I have worked with the Suzuki Method, but I am also very open to other methods and schools.

oice and piano students ages 7-60. All of my students had varying styles, but I was able to help them build a foundation of technique that would allow them to sing with a free and healthy tone in any style.I believe we all have the ability to create music and I can help you discover it!

*** Lesson Details ***
My goal in voice lessons is first and foremost to establish a solid vocal technique.  My philosophy is "singing is simple, but not easy!"  We will focus mostly on two things: breath and space for singing.  This method of teaching is known as "bel canto".  It helps build a strong foundation that then allows you to sing almost any style!  Because everyone is different, we will tailor a set of exercises to fit your needs and will help you build that strong foundation!  Once these principles begin to settle in, we will work on music.  I have a huge library of songs to chose from, but I highly encourage you to bring in your favorite songs. Remember, everyone is different and progresses at different rates, but don't be discouraged! This is not a race, but a life skill that you will continue to master!

In piano, I am classically trained.  Through a series of music books, we will work on music theory, finger dexterity, music history, ear training, eye/hand coordination, and pure enjoyment of making music. Again, everyone is different, but with some outside commitment, you will improve! Classical piano training is a great foundation for all other styles, such as jazz, pop, singer songwriter, country, etc. Piano also helps with in other aspects of your life such as memory, math, history, reading, etc.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a full size keyboard and music stand.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Please provide a piano, music books, music stand (if needed), and a lesson book for notes.

*** Specialties ***
I am a classically trained baritone specializing in bel canto. I have found this technique to be a great foundation for all styles of singing, from opera to pop. I am also classically trained at the piano. I focus on natural hand positions, note identification, music theory, and ear training. And I have fun doing it!