Singing with Clarissa L.

I am a classically trained operatic Soprano who loves singing and teaching classical, Broadway, and Jazz vocal styles. I hold degrees from UC Berkeley, The Manhattan School of Music, and Bard College Conservatory where I studied with Dawn Upshaw. I am also a graduate of The Metropolitan Opera's Lindemann Young Artist Development Program where I had the opportunity to study with great singers such Renata Scotto, Renee Fleming, Diana Soviero, Anne Murray, and Marilyn Horne. I've been teaching voice for the past 10 years, and I have worked with students as young as 6 to students in their 70s. I feel that a student has room to learn and grow no matter his or her age. I also believe that building confidence is an integral part of every learning process. My vocal technique is a culmination of the great pedagogists Vaccai and Richard Miller with the aid of the ideas and help of the teachers I have worked with in the past. Each lesson will begin with a warm up that address the student's specific needs. Once we address fundamental technique, we will apply these ideas to specific repertoire. This repertoire will be chosen by the student with my guidance, but students are welcome to bring Song, Opera, Oratorio, Jazz, and Broadway to any lesson. Because of my extensive performing experience and education, I am also able to assist students with Italian, French, and German diction and translation. Music centers around communicating, and I am more than happy to help each student understand each word he or she sings. As we work towards performances, I can also assist with dramatic coachings using the techniques I learned at the Manhattan School of Music, Juilliard, and The Metropolitan Opera. I am still an active performer, and I hope that my performing and teaching continue to positively affect one another. I have found that working on a multitude of styles from Opera to Jazz has helped me acclimate my voice to any situation, and I hope that my students find the same love and joy in singing as I have.