Singing with Ann N.

I am President of a growing and flourishing arts organization that specializes in education outreach and commissioning new works. I also tour nationally as a solo/principal soprano and have worked locally with companies like Los Angeles Opera, Opera Pacific, Opera a la Carte and many other Southern California performing arts organizations. I have a BA in vocal performance from Cal Poly Pomona and have worked as a professional singer and teaching artist for the last twenty-five years. In addition to teaching voice in my studio, I am currently working as a teaching artist in several different schools and special education sites throughout Southern California. I love to teach, I love when students make breakthroughs, and I love overcoming challenges and solving problems. I specialize in light opera and musical theater. My philosophy is that if a student develops good singing technique, they can sing in any style, from pop music to opera, and keep their voice healthy. No two voices are the same and each of us has our own unique instrument, with the right training that instrument can grow and work at it's optimum. I approach my lessons with humor, putting the student at ease, if the student is comfortable and relaxed, they are more open to learning and their voice will sound much more free and beautiful. *** Lesson Details *** The lessons are designed around each student's particular need, especially when it comes to how the student likes to learn, not every person learns the same way, so flexibility is key. The student will be given a solid concept of good breath support, work with matching pitches, singing with a line, producing good tone quality and singing with good diction and projection. The student is ultimately going to learn how to become their own voice teacher, they will learn how to listen to their voice and be able to identify warning signs of vocal trouble and how to prevent and solve problems. After about three months the student will be producing much prettier tone and begin to grasp the concept of breath support. As time moves on, they will build their ability to support their voice, open up their sound so they can get more volume without hurting their instrument and the student will develop a better endurance, being able to sing longer and not tire out too quickly. As the students technique develops and strengthens, they will become more confident. If the student is already performing or has worked to the point where they are ready to start performing, then we will spend more time on interpretation and acting as well as developing a confident stage presence. *** Studio Equipment *** Living room: piano, mirror *** Travel Equipment *** I only teach from my house and do not travel. *** Specialties *** I am classically trained, have been singing professionally for over 20 years and I sing both Opera and Musical Theatre.