Piano with Amanda O.

Hi, my name is Amanda. I am an upbeat, dedicated and enthusiastic musician. I am passionate about helping you to reach your goals, and healthfully achieve your most beautiful sound. I can't wait to work with you! I am currently studying at San Diego State University where I am pursuing a degree in vocal performance. As an avid learner and experienced performer, I look forward to helping new students achieve their goals. My teaching style is accessible, honest, and catered to each individual student. My number one goal is to create a safe atmosphere for creativity and growth. ARTIST BIOGRAPHY California native, Amanda O., is currently in pursuit of her Bachelors Degree in Vocal Performance at the San Diego State University where she studies with Laurinda Nikkel. Recently, Ms. O. was selected as a soloist for the Stephen Paulus oratorio, To Be Certain of the Dawn, under the direction of Dr. Patrick Walders with the SDSU Symphony Orchestra in May of 2015. Ms. O. was the 1st place winner in her division of the San Diego National Association of Teachers of Singing 2015, and the 3rd place in her division in 2013. In the summer of 2014, Ms. O. attended the prestigious young artist program Si Parla, Si Canta in Urbania, Italy where she studied italian opera performance with Benton Hess, Hugh Murphy, Robert Cowart, and others. She is also a proficient Italian speaker. She has performed roles at SDSU Lyric Opera Theater, and has also sung solos with the choirs at SDSU. Lesson Details: I would like my students to come to their lesson warmed up and ready to sing so that we can jump right into technical exercises. I begin every voice lesson with vocal exercises, which will help improve vocal and breath technique. Then we will move on to theory, sight singing, and other musicianship exercises, if the student wishes to do so. The last part of the lesson will be devoted to repertoire study. To get the most out of lessons I recommend at least an hour of practice outside of lessons each week. I use many of different books for my students depending on their voice type, age and preferred genre of study. I will cater each piece I assign to what I believe is the healthiest way to develop your voice. After 6 months with me students can expect to understand basic singing technique and be seeing a significant change in their sound. Students who choose to incorporate musicianship/theory/sight singing into lessons with me can expect, at minimum, to understand how to read music, basic music notation, note names, key signatures, time signatures, rhythm, solfege syllables, major and minor scales, and basic harmonic relationships. Singing is a physical and full-bodied experience, so be ready to move and be silly with me sometimes. The voice is different than any other instrument because we don't have strings, buttons, or valves to press to help us achieve the right sound. Our instrument is inside our bodies. The voice is a very complicated instrument, and thus, in my opinion, is much more rewarding than many other instruments to master. I encourage all my students to record their lessons to use during the week to practice with. Please come to my lessons planning to work hard and have fun! Studio Equipment: Upright piano/Electric Keyboard, repertoire books, and seating for parents or other respectful observers Travel Equipment I expect my student to be able to provide a piano or weighted keyboard with a bench for me. I provide a mirror, music, and a CD player if necessary. Specialties: I specialize in classical voice training and believe this style of singing to be an imperative source of proper singing and breathing technique that can be used to train singers of all genres.