Irving Performing Arts Classes

estions or for information. I currently have good openings on Tuesdays from 6:00-6:30PM and Thursdays 5:30-6:30PM. If you are interested in cooking, please send me a message. I am sometimes able to accommodate cooking lessons on Sundays given that they take longer. Thank you!

*** Specialties ***
Classical, Opera, Broadway, Sacred, Art Song, Church Music

Beginning and intermediate piano

en the songwriter, arranger, and bandleader for several original music groups. Stress Factor Zero combines rock with funk and jazz. Cloud Ex is an acoustic group combining Afro Cuban and Peruvian percussion with folk rock songs. His most recent band Stratosphere is a modern rock and funk band for artistic rockers and visionaries. They blend diverse styles of rock music with a fiery blaze of Latin percussion, sensuous saxophones, and poetic melodies with a message. Their first CD received radio airplay on over forty stations across the U.S. and Canada, and they are currently working on their third CD. Stratosphere performs throughout Southern California and is currently setting up several short tours in various cities across the U.S., Europe, and South America.

*** Lesson Details ***
Well structured lesson plan covering all aspects of music, specifically designed to help you reach your individual goals.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Acoustic piano, full keyboard, 4 guitars, bass, amps, microphones, Pro Tools recording equipment, and seating for parents

*** Styles ***
Rock, funk, jazz, country, blues, fusion, folk, R&B, and classical

with two parents who were professional musicians (mom is a concert pianist) and I also raised 3 children who are professional musicians. We made music our native language in our home. We all have the ability to speak music when it is spoken to us. I don’t ever remember not playing the piano. I started winning piano competitions in high school. I minored in piano, and then did additional post graduate work in piano. I “speak” piano. It has served me so well as a teacher, composer, opera coach. It is really a gateway to understanding all other instruments. The same scenario with my singing.

I began my professional career as an opera singer which has taken me around the world. I have premiered works by Leonard Bernstein and Samuel Adler in addition to principal roles and concert work with Pittsburgh Opera, The Pittsburgh Symphony, Dayton Opera, the Tuscia Opera Festival and hundreds of professional engagements. I have also had the wonderful opportunity to belt the National Anthem for several major league teams in a television appearance- and has done so on multiple occasions. (Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Reds) I am passionate about vocal jazz and musical theater and am frequently found as a performer in various national and regional venues. Feature concert works include PBS (Gershwin in Concert) as well as featured solo concert works (Pergolesi Stabat Mater) on Italian Public TV.

My approach to music has always been to do what you love. I have never limited myself as a performer to a genre or an instrument. I have explored, applied myself to and enjoyed a very diverse musical career. If you have a passion for an instrument or style of music let's start there first... and then let's discover together all the things you do that uniquely define your musicianship style.

*** Lesson Details ***
Your lessons will always be engaging, challenging and fun!

I am very consistent in my approach to technique, my focus on goals and my demand for excellence. I constantly am working to access with you what your goals are and to provide feedback and support to help you achieve them.

I am very flexible in utilizing a wide variety of repertoire, resources etc. Your lessons are personalized to your skill set and your musical interests. I utilize audio and video recordings almost every week for all my students. I routinely promote and encourage my students to participate in a wide variety of competitions, recitals, workshops and master classes.

I have a very low turnover rate for students and a very high rate of students who have progressed to professional full time careers in music. Students like being a part of my studio and really like the confidence they have in their music abilities in a very short period of time.

I do not use the same curriculum for all students, in face, each curriculum is customized for that student. The components are similar: technique, repertoire, theory, listening, composing, recording and performing.

You can expect the following:You will feel very encouraged and supported in your talent. You will have measurable improvement in your skills. You will have a personal advocate to encourage and direct you in finding and creating opportunities to succeed in your music personally, academically and professionally.

I can't wait to get started!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Professional studio with 6' Pramberger Grand Piano, recording and video equipment, and a music library including instruments and books w/ seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
Digital music library, digital recorder, iPad

*** Specialties ***
Classical, musical theater, jazz and pop.

Currently Offering Group Master Classes for Vocal Training.

~2 hour group class for $40.00~

Feel free to reach out regarding dates and give Takelessons a call to book the lessons.

I also studied theory, piano, sight-singing, and music-production extensively. I graduated Magna Cume Laude with a Bachelor of Music-Media from UTA. After school, I spent 9 months interning/assistant engineering with acclaimed musician/composer/producer Brad Nyght at The Bakery Studio in Dallas- whose credits include being the drummer for The Michael Gungor Band and Desperation Band. Then, got hired as an on-staff session musician and music producer at Drive35 Productions. I have also played guitar, mandolin, and bass for multiple pit orchestras and guitar for the North Lake Jazz Ensemble with director Jim Eger.

My teaching style varies from student to student. Music is a wonderfully diverse subject and every student has his own aspirations. I will do my best to cater each lesson to the student's goals and interests. Whether that is classical guitar method, rock, jazz, folk, country, pop or anything in between.

I have an excellent internet connection and microphone set up for online lessons. I also utilize screen-sharing to make the lessons as close to real life as possible.

A few of my favorite artists include: Michael Gungor, Joe Pass, Andrew Bird, Chopin, Led Zeppelin, Glen Hansard, and Radiohead.

*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons will vary significantly from student to student. Not only does every student have different goals in mind, they all learn differently as well. I do my best to customize my lessons for each student's goals and needs. A typical guitar, bass, ukulele, or piano lesson may involve music-reading, chord studies, technical work, scale practice, theory, and of course learning awesome songs!

I consider myself a healthy balance between professional and light-hearted. As much as I want to make efficient use of the lesson-time, my primary goal is for the student to truly understand and enjoy music.

I have worked hard to be a flexible musician and teacher. I am competent in jazz, rock, classical, contemporary, blues, worship, country, and beyond and will be happy to teach any (or all) of these styles to any student.

*** Studio Equipment ***

Drive35 Productions:

-Large live tracking space
- Medium sized dead tracking space
- Pro Tools HD
- External Pres/Compressors/EQ (WARM, Manley, Vintech, etc.)
- DDA mixing console
- Several acoustic/electric/bass guitars (Epiphone, Fender, Taylor, Cort, Ibanez, Gibson, etc.)
- Lanakai Ukulele
- Gibson Mandolin
- Percussion
- Full drum kit
- 4 control/mixing rooms/practice spaces
- Breakroom
- Music stands/chairs
- Princeton Reverb, Vox AC15, Marshall, Ampeg amplifiers
- Several keyboards/controllers
- Rhodes
- Vintage organs
- Neumann U87, Senheissers, several SM57's, Lautin Audio Oceanus, Oktavas, AKG C414's

My at home studio:

- Chairs
- An 88-key Casio Privia keyboard
- Professional grade recording equipment (003r interface, behringer ada8000 with BLA mod, RNC by FMR, and more)
- High speed Internet access
- A printer
- A library of music resources
- Novation Launchkey MIDI controller
- Rode K2 condensor microphone
- Sm57
- Several Naiant stereo pair microphones
- 2 acoustic guitars (Cort and Zaeger), 2 electric guitars (Epiphone CS Custom, Fender Nashville Tele)
- An electric bass guitar (Epiphone Thunderbird with Bartolini Pickups)
- Lanakai Ukulele
- A Savannah Mandolin
- Double input amplifier (vox AC15C1)
- Music stand
- Metronomes/tuners
- Recording studio quality monitors (Yamaha HS8s)
- Large pedal board and pedal chain

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in contemporary, rock, blues, and worship guitar, but have extensive experience in classical and jazz guitar as well. I am also an on-staff session guitar player for Drive35 Productions and can help anyone interested in the skills necessary to play for a studio.

For piano, I teach beginner to intermediate level students in a variety of genres. I use piano on a daily basis for composing, arranging, and performing.

For bass, I can also teach a variety of genres. I specialize in blues/rock/contemporary but have experience in classical and jazz bass as well.

For ukulele, I specialize in pop music adaptation and classical.

For mandolin, I teach basic beginner music skills- reading and strumming techniques.

, but can assist you in making the right choices to navigate your own way in the business. I offer private coaching to actors in theater and film, and singers in the US and abroad. I would love to share my knowledge and experience with you.

*** Lesson Details ***
I offer private coaching to children, teens, adults who have an interest in acting or singing performance, and for those who simply have an interest in performing or speaking in front of others. In addition to coaching those who wish to better their skills in acting, voice and speech, and singing, I also offer coaching for non-actors; i.e., attorneys, business professionals, teachers, politicians, pageant participants, and other creatives, who want to improve their public speaking and communication skills.

*** Studio Equipment ***
High definition, quality camera for video and stills
High quality lighting equipment and MAC monitor
Ideal for video auditions and on-camera classes

*** Travel Equipment ***
High definition, quality camera for video and stills
High quality lighting equipment and MAC monitor
Ideal for video auditions and on-camera classes

*** Specialties ***
Acting for film, TV, theater, and commercials
Audition Etiquette and Technique
Light Career Coaching
Agent Ready Coaching
Voice and Speech
Public Speaking
Neutral American Speech
Singing; including Musical Theater

edge in performing plus, almost more importantly, the business of acting. One wanting to become a professional performer must always keep in mind, acting is a business and an investment! Passion for the arts fills me, and I treasure the opportunity to spread that joy to all searching for solid coaching and instruction. Feel free to contact me at anytime. Just keep singing, just keep singing.

se in the acting pursuit and life.

I have extensive experience and teaching exp. in: Shakespeare, Monologues, EPA's, Self-taping, Improvisation, Auditioning, Winning the room, Meisner, College auditions, Stanislavsky, and more.

Notable Students

Gus Halper: Truth and Lies: Menedez Brothers, The Goat, Ricki and the Flash
Sarah Viccellio: Master of None, The Carrie Diaries, Law & Order: SVU
Michael Labbadia: The Attic Theater Co.
Alex Gagne: Keen Company, Bridge Production Group, MugBug Prod.
Reagan Elizabeth: Stephanie Klapper Casting
Joshua Morgan
Michael Calciano
Owen Laheen
Ellie Barone
Gabe Arant

I hope to meet you soon!

*Online sessions are also available*