Dena is a professional vocalist, teacher and music therapist. With more than 30 years experience as a singer in a variety of styles including jazz, opera, musical theatre and classic rock, Dena brings a wealth of performance experience to her teaching. Her more than 25 years as a music therapist brings a flexible, patient, joyful style to her teaching; helping students express themselves through their music and leaving them looking forward to what comes next. Dena has worked with students of all ages and levels of training; she has also developed teaching techniques that have proven effective for students with a variety of disabilities such as Asperger's Syndrome, Down Syndrome and speech delay. Dena will shortly be releasing her first CD of children's songs; energetic and fun original songs that teach and entertain.



Education



Bachelor of Arts in Music, State University of New York at Potsdam



Master of Music Therapy, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA



Training



Dena began playing piano at the age of four, she participated regularly in piano guild competitions and performances. She began voice lessons at the age of 11, she has traveled with performance choirs to Germany, Austria and Poland. She was a regular participant in All State Choirs and was chosen to perform for the American Choral Director's Association Choir while in college.



As a performer, Dena has appeared professionally with the Opera Theatre of Rochester and the Gilbert and Sullivan Players. She has performed at jazz clubs and as the lead singer of the classic rock cover band "No Mules," a popular local group featured at numerous fundraisers, First Night festivals and civic club events. For the past ten years, she has been singing with a local auditioned choir that performs classical, gospel and Broadway music, appearing as a soloist at their annual fundraiser. She has played roles in numerous local theatre productions such as "Sweeney Todd," "Kiss Me Kate," "Company," and "Cinderella." She looks forward to opening up performance possibilities to her students and building their skills for a lifetime of musical memories.



As a teacher, Dena has taught for over 25 years; her students have included local DJ's, college students, 'tweens,' young and 'not so young' adults as well as children and adults with learning differences.

*** Lesson Details ***
Dena approaches lessons with a sense of humor and fun; her ability to be flexible allows her to shape the curriculum according to the student. She uses several of the well respected piano curricula (Bastien, Alfred, etc.), tailoring lessons to students specific skills and challenges. Students should expect to play their instrument from the first lesson, building their reading skills, eye hand coordination, playing or singing skills and understanding of music theory gradually and confidently.

Subjects:

Piano- Lessons tailored to individual students, can include music reading, skill building and improvisation. Lessons are drawn from a variety of teaching sources including standard piano method books, music of interest to individual students and adapted music (e.g. simplified).


Voice- Lessons are tailored to individual students, can include introductory vocal technique, coaching for experienced students, vocal improvisation and singing for stage. Music is drawn from teacher recommendations and student preference.

Studio:

Suburban Philadelphia (Northeast, Montgomery and Bucks County)

*** Studio Equipment ***
Keyboard with weighted keys

*** Specialties ***
Musical theatre, Adaptive music lessons (for learning differences).

Weekly and bi-weekly lessons, both in-studio and online are available.