

Barbee M.


Teaching Locations:

Learn to sing the music of the theater from the Golden Age to today! Expand your range and find strength from top to bottom with solid breath support and technique!
Includes singing technique, movement and gestures, repertoire selection, musicality and interpretation, diction, pitch memory, sight-singing, etc., with a focus on Broadway and other musical theater repertoire, according to the student's experience and needs.
About Barbee M.
Activities cancelled by COVID-19? Give online lessons a try! I have years of experience using technology for musical learning and I would love to work with you!
*PLEASE NOTE* For afternoon/evening lesson times (after 2:00pm EST), I am only accepting weekly students. If you would like to take lessons less frequently, please sign up for an earlier lesson time.
Hi! My name is Barbee and I’ve been teaching and performing professionally for over thirteen years. I love helping my students reach their musical goals, while having fun making music at the same time!
I accept students of all levels and ages 13 and up for online lessons, and 9 and up for in person lessons (after COVID restrictions are lifted). Some of my current and former students are working professionals with credits including Broadway, Off-Broadway, national tours, opera, film, TV, and more. Many of my students are teenagers who aspire to study music and/or theatre in college and become professional performers. And of course many are enthusiastic avocational singers and pianists who simply love music and want to work on their technique in a fun environment.
Some recent student accomplishments include:
*Leading roles in musicals and operas
*International concert tours
*Acceptance to multiple NYC performing arts high schools
*Multiple scholarship offers from universities to study music
*Acceptance to pre-professional training programs such as Paper Mill Playhouse and AMDA Summer Conservatories
Both voice and piano lessons are based on a foundation of healthy technique while incorporating musicianship skills and encouraging the student to develop their own creativity. I am experienced in teaching many genres and styles including Broadway/musical theater, classical/opera, pop, rock, R&B, country, and folk. I encourage my students to explore new styles and apply good technique to any style they may choose to sing or play.
I love helping my students prepare for auditions. As an active performer myself I have auditioned many, MANY times for different organizations, and I have also been on "the other side of the table" and I know what qualities audition panels are looking for. Let me help you show your best qualities at your audition!
I strive to create a lesson environment that is open and honest, where my students are never afraid to ask questions or try something new. I am always happy to explain concepts in a different way and I encourage improvisation and creativity in addition to healthy technique and strong musicianship.
If you have any questions for me, please don’t hesitate to send me a message via my profile.
In-studio equipment: Yamaha P-115 digital piano with 3-pedal unit and bench, music stands, large library of scores and anthologies for repertoire exploration.
Please note that you MUST have an acoustic or digital piano with weighted keys for in-home piano lessons. You MUST have a piano or keyboard for in-home voice lessons. If you are looking to purchase an instrument I am happy to provide recommendations.
Please note that students are expected to purchase all music, curriculum, and other materials as appropriate.
Reviews
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Amazing!




My daughter loved her lesson. Barbee is super nice and very well organized. Her expectations and rules are clear; the homework is easy to follow. My daughter can’t wait for the next lesson.


My sons first lesson with Barbee went terrific! He is looking forward to improving his singing with the knowledge she has & shares with her students. Thank you Barbee :)

Thanks for teaching me and logan

thanks

She really helped me get those high notes and understand how to sing them! Amazing experience!

I have learned so much from Barbee Monk! Ive had 3 or 4 different voice teachers in the past and she is by far the best one. She is a consummate professional in every way. I've noticed a huge difference in my voice for the better and with a little more work will be ready to sing in the choir soon!

Barbee has a wonderful style and approach to teaching . She exudes a positivity and enthusiasm throughout the lesson and is exceptional in providing encouragement and nonjudgemental corrective feedback when needed. I thoroughly enjoy my lessons and look forward to continuing with my program.

Her knowledge of music and the anatomy of the voice have made my lessons with her invaluable. She’s an excellent teacher, so much so, that I plan to pick up piano lessons with her as well.

Barbee is very pleasant and good teacher. She is very flexible with scheduling.

Great first lesson with both my son and daughter. Looking forward to future weeks.

Barbee is fantastic! My daughter had a great time and learned a lot!

great lesson

I have no words to described what amazing time my Dauther is having with her teacher Barbee has being not just a teacher she is a model for her to follow she takes everything so personal trying to teach my Dauther and so patien is incredible how she finds a way for my Dauther to listen and pay attention, to be really honest with respect to other teachers at take lesson I wouldn't take the time to search any other place Barbee is just amazing, Thank you, Thank you so much

Olivia liked her lesson very much.

Barbee is an excellent teacher. She is prompt, professional, courteous, and knowledgeable. From the beginning, my daughter felt comfortable with her. Barbee was nothing short of phenomenal, from the way she identified areas of weakness, to the helpful bits of advice. She pushed my daughter to do her best. I originally booked 5 lessons with Barbee, but we loved what she did for my daughter so much that we booked another five. We wish we could do more, but our hectic schedule won't allow it at this time. We will, however, keep Barbee in mind should time allow us to use her services again. Don't think twice about selecting Barbee for singing lessons!

Barbee made my daughter feel at ease and free to express herself. Even though it was only the first lesson, Barbee already gave her so many pointers and bits of helpful criticism. She is pleasant and professional, and my daughter is looking forward to more sessions.

So far with Barbee has been a fantastic experience, she is a really talented and patient teacher and performer, she is humorous which is good, you don't want a teacher that is serious all the time, although she can get serious when needed.
A really good person to work with, in general great! I truly love her teaching and her dedication to students.
Excellent!
Two months of lessons have proven very productive. I have seen great improvement in my daugher's abilities and confidence. Barbee is mild in her ways yet tenacious; always pushing to the next level. I like that I am able to sit through the lesson. The classes run on schedule. Barbee is responsive to calls/texts and is flexible with schedule changes.
The best!
Barbee is both fun and professional! She creates a comfortable learning environment, and continuously pushes for the best results. She's always positive and wants to help me achieve my goals (and more)!
A super nice and professional
A very nice and funny lady that helped me with different vocal excersices and techniques....
Get your potential
Barbee is fun and patient, but strict, a necessary trade when dealing with teenagers. She will push them without them noticing, allowing them to reach their potential. She also listens to what they want to sing, and applies her professional skills and knowledge to every song being interpret.
Barbee is a very patient, kind, knowledgeable and fun teacher. With such encouragment one gets the very best out of a lesson.
I found Barbee to be a most excellent teacher, very kind and patient and is extremely knowledgeable about the techniques of singing, breathing, posture etc., Always very positive and encouraging and keen to make sure that I got the best out of my lessons with helpful tips. She helped me enormously and I really enjoyed my time with her. Fun and Inspiring.
fun to work with and very professional
Barbee is professional, encouraging and very supportive. She allows for fun but is very informative at the same time.
The classes are wonderful
I am very pleased with the great customer service the office provides when I call in and the organization of class schedule communication. In addition, the teacher is exceptionally very knowledgeable and encouraging.
Barbee has done a very good job for with voice.
She knows what she's doing and you would be wise to take a lesson with her.
A very good teacher.
Very nice person and easy to talk to. Takes her time to teach properly and listens to the student concerns. Barbee loves teaching and it shows.
Barbee M. Is the Best. The end.
She is friendly, helpful, proficient, upbeat, non judgmental, educated, easy to work with. I could keep going with more adjectives.
Photos & Videos
12 Photos & VideosExperience
Soprano Soloist
Sep 2018 - PresentSaint John's in the Village
Soprano
Oct 2016 - PresentBronx Opera Company
Yum-Yum in The Mikado, April/May 2019 Konstanze in The Abduction from the Seraglio, January 2018 Anne Page in Sir John in Love, January 2017
Voice and Piano Instructor, Music Director
Sep 2015 - PresentProfessional Arts Academy
-Teach 20 private voice and piano students weekly, ages 5-18 -Plan recital repertoire for semiannual vocal/piano recital -Accompany vocal students at the piano in recital -Music direct Musical Theatre Intensive class and year-end musical
Soprano
Nov 2014 - PresentOpera Theatre of Montclair
Dew Fairy in Hansel and Gretel, September 2018 Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus (excerpts), December 2016 Galatea in Acis and Galatea, September 2016 Pamina in The Magic Flute, May 2015-March 2016 Soprano Chorus in Nabucco, January 2015
Freelance Soprano
Aug 2007 - PresentSelf-Employed
Voice and Piano Instructor
Jan 2007 - PresentSelf-Employed
Actor
May 2018 - Jul 2018Light Opera of New Jersey
Soprano Choir in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, July 2018
Soprano Soloist
Oct 2014 - Jun 2018Church of the Atonement, Tenafly
Pergolesi Stabat Mater, March 2018 Britten A Ceremony of Carols, December 2017 Mozart Exsultate, jubilate, March 2017 Saint-Saens Christmas Oratorio, December 2016 Fauré Requiem, March 2016 Bach Cantata 89, March 2015 Vivaldi Gloria, December 2014
Soprano
Jul 2017 - Jul 2017Geneva Light Opera
Donna Anna (cover) in Don Giovanni, July 2017
Soprano
May 2015 - Jun 2016New Rochelle Opera
Ines in Il trovatore, June 2016 Frasquita in Carmen, June 2015
Soprano
Mar 2016 - Apr 2016New Jersey Music Society
"Love Songs from Opera to Broadway," March and April 2016
Interim Piano Instructor
Apr 2015 - May 20156th Borough Music Academy, Hoboken
Soprano Section Leader/Soloist
Sep 2011 - Jun 2014St. Patrick Church, Miami Beach
After School Voice and Piano Instructor
Dec 2013 - May 2014The Mandelstam School, South Miami
Soprano
Aug 2013 - Mar 2014The Opera Atelier, Miami
Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro (excerpts), October 2013/March 2014
Soprano
Aug 2013 - Sep 2013Miami Lyric Opera
Prima conversa in Suor Angelica, September 2013
Alto Section Leader/Cantor/Soloist
Apr 2010 - Jun 2011St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Jacksonville
Assistant Conductor
May 2009 - Apr 2011University of North Florida Choral Department, Jacksonville
Education
Master of Music-Vocal Performance
Aug 2011 - May 2013Frost School of Music, University of Miami
Bachelor of Music-Vocal Performance
Aug 2007 - Apr 2011University of North Florida
Languages
English
Fluent / Native Proficiency
Certifications
Substitute Teacher
Nov 2014New Jersey Department of Education
Awards
Finalist
Mar 2020Opera Ithaca Edward M. Murray International Vocal Competition
Eastern Region Finalist
Nov 2019NATS Artist Awards
National Semi-Finalist
Apr 2018New York Lyric Opera Theatre Competition
Encouragement Award Grant
Nov 2015Gerda Lissner Foundation Art Song Competition
National Semi-Finalist
Apr 2014New York Lyric Opera Theatre Competition
Georgina Dieter Dennis Voice Scholarship
Aug 2012Georgina Dieter Dennis Foundation
Winner, Recital Competition
Jul 2012Frost School of Music at Salzburg Training Program
Outstanding Musician Award
Apr 2011University of North Florida
Regional Semi-Finalist
Apr 2010NATS Competition
Regional Semi-Finalist
Mar 2010National Association of Teachers of Singing Student Competition
William Brown Memorial Voice Scholarship
Aug 2007University of North Florida
Affiliations
National Association of Teachers of Singing
Jan 2015Mu Phi Epsilon
Mar 2008Let Our Student Counselors Help You
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