Classical Voice with Jacqueline E.

If you're looking for a well-rounded music teacher who can give you the right tools for improving singing and musicianship in a safe and positive environment, you've come to the right place! I have taught students from 5 to 27, but I can certainly teach older adult beginners. I am passionate about singing, teaching, and inspiring my students so they can enjoy music and singing for years to come. I work in a very sequential manner from a pedagogical standpoint and tailor each lesson to meet the needs of each student individually so that they can truly feel like they are musicians and that they have the proper tools to sing -- because success breeds success! I believe in the beauty of each student's voice I work with and that all students deserve a high quality music teacher. It is an honor and a privilege to help my students - no matter what they age - realize their potential, and I am blessed to have the opportunity to do so through music. *** Lesson Details *** More lesson times may be available than what is shown. Please send me a message if you would like to find out about other times. Some examples of goals I can help you with: - Improving singing technique - Learning about vocal health - Developing musicianship - Learning music theory / how to read music - Increasing self-awareness of bodily tension and how to release it When you arrive for our first lesson, I'll start by asking you to sing a couple vocal exercises so I can listen carefully to your voice and how I can help you. I will also assess your ability to keep a steady beat, match pitch, and other basic music skills so we can move forward and see progress! I always start with a strong foundation in the basics of singing and musicianship. After we spend at least two lessons simply establishing singing technique and going through exercises for singing, I will introduce music that is appropriate for your level of development. To help develop your basic musicianship skills, I use a sound-before-symbol approach, so we will not be reading music until you have demonstrated progress in your aural skills. *** Studio Equipment *** Spacious area with a mirror and a digital, weighted, 88-key piano *** Policies *** I expect students to be punctual. I will not make up time that was lost due to student tardiness, but I will always make up any time lost on my part. I will always let you know at least 24 hours in advance whether I have to cancel a lesson and I will always make it up on a future mutually convenient date. Parents or friends may sit and watch and/or take notes for the student, but any visitors must be silent throughout the entire lesson so as not to be a distraction to the student; s/he has to be fully focused in order to get as much out of the lesson as possible. I HIGHLY encourage the older beginner student to bring a recording device to record our lesson to study the vocal exercises in personal practice sessions after our lesson. *** Specialties *** I have learned solid classical vocal technique from the very best, and I believe my older beginner students deserve the same tools. (My teacher has had many students that have gone on to have very successful singing careers, all over the United States and some internationally.) As a singer, I have over ten years’ performance experience as a chorister and soloist and four years' experience in singing opera/musical theatre. I am a classically trained pianist, and also have experience conducting choirs from the elementary level to the high school level. I am a member of many professional music organizations so you know I am not just a performer but am also committed to being the best music teacher/pedagogue I can be. Please see below for the professional organizations I am a member of. I frequently attend conferences and read many professional music journals. My personal music teaching philosophy is based on the music pedagogies of Zoltan Kodaly, Edwin Gordon, and Karl Orff. My music philosophy: 1. Music is for everyone. Anyone can learn how to sing beautifully and be a musician! However, it takes time and hard work to see progress. I want to give you the right tools (proper singing technique and basic musicianship skills) to help you foster a love of singing for years to come. 2. Mastering the basics of singing and learning about vocal health is crucial! Whatever your goals, starting with and maintaining a good technique with consistent practice will keep you from injury so you can enjoy singing for a long time. 3. The more well-rounded you are as a musician, the better. In ALL singing lessons, I embed aspects of music theory and ear-training appropriate to your level so that you can have a holistic music education and be an independent, thinking musician. 4. Music is meant to be a beautiful expression of your heart and soul! While good technique and musicianship are very important, that is only half the story. At every stage, I work to help students connect with the music inside them so they feel safe and free to express their natural and artistic sensitivity. 5. Listening is vital to understanding music! Students can expect listen to recordings of music and singers to gain insight to and understanding of style. I encourage my students to listen to or watch recordings to work on the more organic elements of music, which cannot be gained from academic study. --- Jackie is a classically trained lyric-coloratura soprano, who earned her Bachelor of Music degree in General-Choral Music Education, magna cum laude, from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Stage appearances in 2014 include Catholic University's production of Mozart's Don Giovanni (chorus) and the Yorkshire Opera Workshop's production of Gilbert & Sullivan's Iolanthe (Leila) in England. Highlights in 2015 include Verdi's Rigoletto (Countess Ceprano) and the Soprano Soloist for the Mozart Coronation Mass. In addition to pursuing her interests in operatic repertoire and choral music, Jackie continues to refine skills in piano and Gregorian chant to further her development as an aspiring music educator and church musician.