Music Performance with Natalie W.

I believe anyone can learn to sing. Not everyone can be Pavarotti or Adele, but anyone who can speak can learn to sing, at least to feel confident singing happy birthday. That confidence comes from discovering your voice and what makes it tick -- and that confidence will carry over into other parts of your life! A specialist in musical theater, I was also an opera singer for 15 years. I am a true cross-over artist, equally comfortable teaching (and singing) classical repertoire as well as musical theater. While pop music is not my personal milieu, I have taught dozens of pop singers how to sing their music more healthfully and easily, while not losing their own personal style. With a Masters Degree in Voice Performance and Pedagogy and a Bachelors in Voice Performance and Music Education, I am particularly skilled with training the young voice. I have 20 years of teaching experience, both in my private studio and at colleges, universities, and community music centers including the Long Island Conservatory where I taught adults as well as children ages 4 to 17. I teach a classically-based technique, giving appropriate stylistic adjustments for musical theater, jazz or pop repertoire. I include music theory training in all my lessons, imparting a solid technical and musical foundation for whatever style of music you want to pursue. I also offer combination voice and piano lessons, which I strongly encouraged for any students who do not already play piano. *** Lesson Details *** I meet the student where they are, both in terms of goals and personality. I do not feel it is my role to crack the whip -- my aim is for students to enjoy this process and experience the joy of singing and playing. I will, however, point out when a student's level of dedication is not in line with their personal goals. Everyone learns the same technique -- which is very rigorous -- but I deliver the information at different paces depending on where a singer is when they come to me, and how quickly they progress. But regardless of beginning level, within a short time frame every singer will have learned a solid foundation of breathing - though that foundation will continue to develop for years - and will have a basic understanding of how and when to use the different registers of their voice. I divide lesson time between vocal technique and songs, so that you always have something you can really sing, not just scales. I also email recordings of the exercises we learn in the early lessons to help facilitate productive home practicing. *** Studio Equipment *** Separate music room with an upright grand piano and a music library. *** Specialties *** As a former professional opera singer, my vocal technique is based on the bel canto method of Manuel Garcia. I apply this method to Broadway and pop styles, making technical and stylistic adjustments to achieve the desired sound quality while protecting the health of the voice. I also have particular training and experience in teaching children and teenagers, to keep their voices healthy and engage their interest in music.