Opera Voice with Carson G.

A professional operatic baritone and opera director, I am a co-founder at Orphee Arts, a Los Angeles-based, not-for-profit opera company. A vocalist and actor for over fifteen years, I have performed in many venues throughout the Southwestern U.S., from Opera Santa Barbara to the House of Blues, and have had been fortunate to work beside many brilliant performers and directors. Long experience both on- and behind-the-stage has given me a firm understanding of pop, jazz, Broadway and classical repertoire, as well as the technique and dedication necessary to succeed. I have also composed scores for several short films and classical vocal music on commission. Each professional involvement I’ve had the luck to land has expanded my knowledge of music theory, and my love of teaching is born out of my continual re-discovery of the joy of music. *** Lesson Details *** My mission as a teacher, essentially, is to aid the student in discovering their unique voice and mode of expression, and then to strengthen, support and refine this sound as much as possible. Lessons are paced according to the student’s progress—I try to encourage without overwhelming. With beginners, I help build a solid foundation in vocal health and tone production, gradually working toward security and ease, sometimes using specific vocal pieces. With more advanced voices, we focus on style, phrase shaping, tone coloring, always focusing on the student’s individual needs. Though I stress the need for dedication, I try to structure my lessons around discovery and creation. Performance skills, too, are emphasized. Short-term goals depend largely on each student’s level of comfort and development, but my long-term goal is always guiding the student toward their ideal. *** Studio Equipment *** I use a full electric piano, with weighted keys. On hand at the studio is a library of sheet music (classical, Broadway, Great American Songbook) and technique workbooks. *** Travel Equipment *** For singing, no equipment is necessary, though a piano or electric keyboard is very much preferred. For piano, the instrument is required. *** Specialties *** Singing: Pop/Standard, Jazz, Broadway, Classical Piano: Basic