
Desiree S.

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About Desiree S.
I'm excited to be a TakeLessons instructor and to be able to share my experience and knowledge with you. I have been a singer and performer for over 20 years and have taught voice and beginning piano for over 12 years.
I received a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN. I continued my studies in New York City in voice, acting and diction.
I continue to be an active performer specializing in musical theater, opera and concert. I began my professional career as an apprentice with the Portland Opera in Oregon. My love for music has taken me across the U.S. and around the world. I come to Pittsburgh via Memphis, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Portland, New York City, ports around the globe through Cunard Cruise Lines, San José, and Chattanooga.
Currently, I can be seen performing the first Tuesday of each month with Aria412 at Wallace's at Hotel Indigo. I especially enjoy new music and have premiered new works with Pittsburgh Festival Opera, Alia Musica and the New Dischord Festival. The most exciting premiere was the title role in Eve Apart by composer Tim Hinck and my husband, which was produced both in Chattanooga and Pittsburgh. My favorite operatic role is Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute and I have had the pleasure of singing it with Undercroft Opera, Opera San Jose, West Bay Opera, Stockton Opera, Pocket Opera and as a Resident Artist at Portland Opera.
I premiered the role of Flora Dart in A New Kind of Fallout by composer Gilda Lyons and playwright Tammy Ryan with the Pittsburgh Festival Opera. That same season I portrayed Joe Boyd in PFO's gender bending Damn Yankees. Other theatrical performances include Roselinda in Die Fledermaus with Undercroft Opera, Despina in Cosi fan tutte with Mission City Opera, Blonde in Abduction from the Seraglio with Pocket Opera, Cunegonde in Candide with Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., and Rosa Bud in The Mystery of Edwin Drood with Chattanooga Theater Center. I have appeared as Abigail in The Crucible, Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, Zerlina in Don Giovanni, Lucy in Threepenny Opera and Celeste #1 in Sunday in the Park with George.
As a soloist with Pittsburgh's new music ensemble Alia Musica, I premiered Kierkegaard's Pantoum by composer David Lidov, was soprano soloist in Shadow in the Hot Sun by Paris-based composer Nissim Schaul and Al Vacio by composer Federico Garcia, a work she premiered at the inaugural New Dischord Festival in Chattanooga. I created the role of Pamela in the premier of TOOWHOPERA by composer Sorrel Hays in Rome, GA.
I was named a world finalist in the Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition, a regional finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, a semi-finalist in the Jenny Lind Competition and a regional winner in the MacAllister Competition.
*** Lesson Details ***
Whether it is preparing for a competition, an audition or a role for the school play, I enjoy helping students of all ages reach their goals. I structure the curriculum to the individual needs of my students, focusing on healthy vocal technique, musicianship, stage presence, and joy in music.
During your first lesson, you will sing various vocalises to determine how you negotiate the changes in registration, what your vocal range is, and what you have to work on to improve your vocal quality, stamina, and flexibility.
If you do not see an available time, please call Takelessons. I sometimes have availability that is not visible on my calendar.
*** Studio Equipment ***
Living Room: baby grand, couch, chair, bench, small table, adjoining dining room where parents can wait.
Reviews
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She is great! Were excited to see how it goes!

I can't say enough about how awesome it has been with the lessons. Desiree is a fantastic, teacher and person both. Immediately felt comfortable from day one. I look forward to the hour every week and it seems like I'm getting better at singing!

my daughter was open and relaxed with desiree; and pepper is adorable and super cute!!

my daughter enjoyed her first lesson desiree was wonderful; we are looking forward to learning and growing with her!

I would recommend Desiree, she put me at ease right away.
I left feeling energized and wanting more !

Desiree is very good and patient with my Granddaughter. I believe this is a great fit. I am excited that my Granddaughter is finally interested in learning how to play the piano. Thanks Desiree

Desiree is an excellent voice teacher

Desiree is fantastic and my 9 year old daughter really looks forward to her lesson each week.

Great job

Desiree is a terrific vocal coach! I just completed my third lesson and am very impressed with her skills and ability to refine my breathing, diction and vocal continuity. Atmosphere is extremely inviting and she is very pleasant while also staying highly focused and on task. After taking some time off from singing, I was looking for someone who could get me back in shape vocally with a combination of classic training and some crossover to musical theatre. She fits the bill very well!

Ms. Desiree is a very nice teacher. My daughter likes her very much! Thanks a lot !

The atmosphere is very inspiring and Desiree's teaching methodology gets at the core of your performance technique and improves it.

My 9 year old felt very comfortable with Desiree and enjoyed her first lesson.

Desiree is an excellent voice teacher. She really helped my daughter (age 10 at the time) tremendously, and made it a very fun and enjoyable experience. We plan to start up voice lessons again real soon.

Desiree has made an immediate and positive connection with my 12 year old daughter, and really supported her in working past her nerves. I am very impressed with what I've seen and heard!

She is so nice and friendly!

I really enjoyed my first lesson with Desiree. She was an excellent teacher and made me feel relaxed and confident. I am looking forward to my next lesson and hopefully many more in the future.

She was wonderful! Her teaching style is very personable. She is very flexible. She takes her time with you. Certainly recommend!

She has helped me tremendously! We have a good time learning and laughing during my lessons with her. She had also helped me to stop listening to what others think about my voice and focus on believing in myself as I learn and progress. Risks l thanks
Desiree puts the fun in fundamentals!
I decided to take voice lessons for pleasure as a hobby to keep my mind off of the stresses of daily life. I had a lot of confidence issues to get over when I started taking lessons with Desiree; mainly because I didn't want to embarrass myself like those people I make fun of on American Idol. Her non-threatening teaching style has been the perfect fit for me...although she does raise her voice at me when I judge myself too harshly, but I won't count against her ;) My confidence has soared and I feel that I'm a much bolder and more comfortable singer. Iâm enjoying every minute of discovering my voice with Desiree. I've still got some work to do but I'm confident she'll help me reach my goals.
Voices are a Gift
Desiree has helped my sister and I develop our vocal skills and work to our full potential. She has also helped us realize that our voices are a gift and we need to treasure them. Desiree has strengthened our confidence in signing in front of people as well as signing in general. She is more than just a teacher she is a role model and a person we feel we can count on.
Perfect teacher, perfect venue!
Desiree Soteres is the perfect vocal teacher for students of all ages. She is has an excellent performance, as well as academic, background. She is patient and knows how to draw the best out of her students.
Desiree's studio is as fine as any you could possibly find in the most professional of settings and far exceeded my expectations. In addition to this, the location is VERY safe and has easy access to public transportation. Parking is also easily found on its quiet, tree-lined street.
Choose this teacher and her studio with complete confidence!
if you dream it you can do it
First off there isn't enough room for all the things I want to say lol. Desiree is probably the best teacher I could have imagined having.
She is patient and understanding and amazing at helping you learn singing skills.
I'm one of those people that think too much into something but she figured out ways to help me understand.
I love my voice and I understand how to use it
Thank you Desiree!!
Student
Desiree is an amazing teacher. She's very knowledgeable, nonjudgmental, and easy going. She offers great feedback and is a pleasure to work with!
Patient and Adaptable
I've very pleased with Desiree. She's non judgmental and supportive regardless of your skill level. She doesn't make you feel inadequate, but instead stives to find your strengths and work from there.
Mom
Friendly and encouraging, seems to be working out well.
Knowledgable, talented, patient, & truly committed
Desiree is an excellent voice instructor!! She listens intently, evaluates, and provides feedback in a very constructive manner. If the student is stumped with learning a technique or improving upon something specific, she recommends a solution. And if that solution doesn't work with the student, she has alternate methods to achieve the same end results. She is very patient; committed, and a pleasure to work with. I recommend her very highly as a voice instructor!
She is great. My daughter loves her and her singing is improving tremendously
Great Experience
Desiree is a great teacher. She really listens to what you say and caters lessons to your specific needs. I highly recommend her.
everything has been great. Desiree is very patient and a great instructor for my 9 year old daughter
Awesome
The techniques she has taught me so far has helped tremendously. I love Desiree she trys her best to make me feel comfortable. If your in the pittsburgh area and your looking for a vocal teacher she's the lady to see
layla ferbey
desiree is wonderful teacher and great person
Desiree is a real pro; as a singer and a teacher. She understands the student's objectives and tailors the lessons accordingly. She is both supportive and challenging. She is personable and easy to be with.
my 10 yr old daughter is the student
my daughter takes piano lessons and Desiree is patient and explains things in detail and makes sure she understands before moving on to the next....she is very good with trying to make sure the student doesnt't get overwhelmed, encoutaging and motivational
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