Film Acting with Emily L.

I am a full-time pedagogue/performer with ten years' experience teaching private lessons in voice, piano, and acting to a range of ages and levels of students. Although the majority of my students are young adults, I have worked successfully with children, teenagers, and adult students (twenties to senior citizens) of both genders; I tailor my approach specifically to the goals and interests of each student; no two people learn the same way. I am Director of Musical Activities at the Catholic Chapel of the U.S. Military Academy (West Point) and hold a Masters' degree in Sacred Music (organ emphasis) from Duquesne University and Bachelor's of Music in vocal performance from West Virginia University (summa cum laude, WVU Outstanding Senior, Honors College J. and C. Nath Outstanding Senior, Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships candidate) I regularly perform as an organist, pianist, and vocal soloist in opera, oratorio, concerts, and recitals and completed training through the Ezio Pinza Concil for American Singers of Opera in Italy, the American Singers' Opera Project of North Carolina, and the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. As a teacher, I completed a year-long vocal pedagogy course which provided me with a thorough understanding of the anatomy and psychology of singing, as well as a systematic approach to the correction of vocal faults. One of my students, a teen-aged boy, was selected to attend Eastman's summer program for high school students, and another student received a full college scholarship in music. Several of my students have performed leading roles in school, community, and university musical productions. I was also a teaching artist at Propel East Charter School for Greensburg American Opera and directed the Old Economy Singers (a twenty-voice historical choir) for six years. *** Lesson Details *** I provide professional, knowledgeable, and individualized instruction in a supportive and encouraging environment. During the course of study with me, I expect voice students will improve vocal technique and sound quality, alleviate physical tension which may be interfering with phonation, expand their range, learn new repertoire, increase confidence, and grow as performing artists. My vocal teaching method focuses on correct breathing and resonance; I also incorporate some activities from Barry Green's "Inner Game of Music" technique. Although my teaching is grounded in a scientific approach to the process of phonation, I also believe singing should be a fun experience for the student. We sing to communicate! I believe that a thorough technical foundation is necessary for free and healthy singing in any genre of music. I am willing to work with students in the vocal styles that interest them most; although my professional performance experience is in opera and musical theatre, I have also successfully worked with students whose interests included jazz, pop, rock, folk music, contemporary Christian music, and choral singing. My piano pedagogical method matches each student with the right curriculum-- Alfred, Schaum, or Piano Adventures-- plus supplemental technical exercises such as scales, arpeggios, and Czerny and Hanon exercises. All students are exposed to theory through worksheets, games, and other applied activities. As soon as possible, I introduce "real" repertoire from master composers. *** Studio Equipment *** Grand piano, electronic piano, music library, photo copier for copies of repertoire, music stands, Sing and See software. *** Travel Equipment *** I provide copies of music and exercises. If I am teaching at a student's home, I expect him/her to provide a keyboard instrument. *** Specialties *** I believe that a strong technical foundation emphasizing correct breathing and placement will allow voice students to sing in a healthy manner in any style of music. My professional performance credentials are primarily in opera, but I also have musical theatre experience and have successfully worked with students whose interests include opera, musical theatre, jazz, pop, rock, gospel, Irish folk music, and choral singing. In piano lessons, I emphasize technique and musicianship through a balance of exercises, repertoire, and theory activities.