Songwriting with Teresa S.

I grew up performing and singing. My family loved music and the arts and we went to the theater, ballet and symphony all the time in Houston Texas. My mother used to play music to get me to sleep when I was very young. She played opera by the famous Italian tenor Caruso and symphonic music by the French Impressionist composer Debussy. As a teenager I played the guitar and sang folk and pop songs with my friends. When I became an adult my interest turned back to classical music and opera as I had heard as a toddler. Eventually I found myself on stage singing opera in New York City and classical chamber music at Tanglewood in the Berkshires. I began teaching voice while I was getting a Bachelor's Degree in Music at the University of Texas. When I came to New York City I opened the Vocal & Dramatic Arts Studio in 1996. Since that time I have kept up a studio teaching voice and acting to people of all ages: 6 to 86! I love the variety and feel everyone can sing and act. In honor of my high school choir director, I created an a cappella vocal improvisation method called "lavocezensing" using the Do scale as a frame to become comfortable harmonizing and improvising vocally. Education is one of my passions. Working for Lincoln Center and other arts presenters in New York City between 1996 and 2012, I created curriculum on music and art in public and private schools and have trained educators nationally and internationally on using music and art in their classroom lessons. I found that song writing and musical improvisation are great ways to integrate music with other curriculum within the Humanities. Today in Miami Beach part of my work is using yoga, music and sound healing practices as tools to learn meditation and reduce stress. Over the years, I have performed many styles of music: standard opera, contemporary opera and chamber opera, classical chamber music, musical theater and cabaret. Now I am exploring the ragas of India and Nada (Sound) Yoga practices and have developed a sound based mindfulness meditation practice called Sound Yoga Therapy™ or SYT. SYT sessions combine North Indian Classical vocal music with Western vocal pedagogy to elicit a relaxation response and then to focus the mind in order to activate the higher levels of the brain. As a music, voice, yoga and acting teacher, I offer traditional and non-traditional methods using multi-sensory approaches to help students realize their goals. In addition to developing vocal, musical and theatrical skills, the tools and techniques offered aid students in relaxation, breath awareness, and stress reduction as a part of our lessons together. It is a creative, fun and student-centered learning environment for students of all ages! *** Lesson Details *** AFTER 6 MONTHS OF WEEKLY LESSONS you will be able to use the basic knowledge, tools and techniques you have learned to perform a song, a monologue or begin to create your own lyrics or song. AFTER ONE YEAR you are ready to share the art you have created in an intimate gathering with family and friends. *** Studio Equipment *** Room w/ piano; video recording available *** Travel Equipment *** Studio & Skype lessons only *** Specialties *** Classical and musical theater singing styles; extended vocal techniques; Indian ragas using Saregam scales; exploring the voice in songs, chants and toning as an approach to increased well-being; European, American and Indigenous repertoire from many cultures