Pasadena, TX Singing Lessons

voice lesson we might spend the entire time on technique exercises to strengthen the voice. We might also work on several songs with an emphasis on interpretation.
In regards my piano lessons, I generally stick to the curriculum, but will take the time to focus on the individual needs of the student.
I expect my students to practice at least 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week. Everyone learns at a different rate, but if the student practices regularly, he/she will see progress within a few months.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have an upright piano in my studio as well as several music books. I expect my students to bring their music as well as their assignment book to every lesson.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in a classical technique when it comes to teaching voice. I focus on proper breath support and a relaxed open larynx to produce a free, beautiful sound. I believe a classical foundation can be applied to any musical genre, with the result that you are singing in a healthy manner that will not damage your vocal chords, thus allowing for a longer singing career.

ormances at the Carlyle Hotel in New York City, The Jazz and Blues Company in Carmel, California, Houston Grand Opera, Opera Omaha, and the Houston Symphony as well as roles in musical theater with "Showboat" and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". Most recently, he performed for former first lady, Laura Bush and Peter Buffett, son of investment mogul, Warren Buffett.

As a singing teacher, Charles has taught voice both privately and within the public school sector for over 18 years. He received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Houston System and has studied extensively with operatic tenor, Joseph Frank and well known Houston vocal coach, Tom Mckinney. He has also taken masterclasses with world renowned teachers including Hollywood vocal coach, Seth Riggs.

Charles has served as a preliminary vocal judge for the popular "Gimme the Mike" singing talent TV show on NBC Houston, 97.9 The Box "Hatta's Idol", coached 2 American Idol Finalists, one Xfactor top 10 contestant season 1, and 2 semifinalists for the "Voice". He also served as a vocal coach for Beyonce's Music World Entertainment's Project Popstar, under the direction of Matthew Knowles.

As a life coach, I provide personal coaching for singers and musicians. This process involves helping a singer to first and foremost identify and understand why he/she sings, and what is the message they want to deliver when they walk on stage. In other words, what do they have to say?? From this viewpoint, they can create educational and professional goals based on their highest truth and life purpose. and address any issues that might be blocking them from achieving those goals. One of the major challenges that singers face are making career and life choices that will balance with their artistic or musical goals. In addition, it is very important to know your true gifts, passions, motivations and intentions. Moreover, having a realistic view and understanding of the recording business vs. the music playing business is essential to your overall business plan and success. You must also find the time and energy to pursue your art while making a stable and rewarding living. Lastly, if you are a creative type who is struggling with two common life dilemmas: the "starving artist" who is tired of panicking every time the rent is due, and the " well paid professional" desiring the time to devote to his or her art, then life coaching is for you

*** Lesson Details ***
I teach a vocal technique which is called singing on the speaking level, or "Singing with the ease of Speech". It provides the student with a systematic approach to link together all the registers of the voice-chest and head. The student and I work together to build a bridge between the low voice and high voice, (through the break) combining those parts in the middle creating "the mix" ( a blend of chest and head voice), that most singers struggle to master and the vast majority of teachers don't know how to teach or identify. This allows the singer to access all of his or her range without strain. A student would begin to experience positive results within a few weeks of study, both in the studio and with practice between lessons.

One of the best things about this technique is that it allows you to sing any style of music. Whether you sing Pop/R&B, Rock, country, musical theater, gospel, or opera, you can experience vocal freedom and confidence that every singer wants to have. As a singer, I have had much success with this method, and as a vocal coach, I have found that this technique meets the needs of any kind of vocalist and/or style.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Superscope Recording System, Microphones, keyboard, large CD collection

*** Travel Equipment ***
portable keyboard

*** Specialties ***
*Teachers
marked as a Student Favorite have taught a minimum of 25 lessons and
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I specialize in teaching the "Sing with the Ease of Speech" vocal technique which provides the students with a systematic approach to link together all registers of the voice-chest and head. Therefore, the students and I work together to build a bridge between the low and high voice, (through the break) combining those parts in the middle creating "the mix" that most singers struggle to master. This allows the singer to access all of his or her range without strain. The method can be applied to Pop/R&B, musical theater, opera, gospel, and any other contemporary singing style.

In addition, I provide life coaching for singers and musicians. This process involves helping you to identify your overall life goals and what might be blocking you from achieving those goals. Some of the major issues that singers face is making career and life choices that will balance with their artistic or musical goals, understanding their true motivations and intentions, having a realistic view and understanding of the recording business vs. the music playing business, and finding the time and energy to pursue your art while making a stable and rewarding living.

Xavier University University Chorus; 2004-2009; Xavier Concert Choir; 2004-2009; Vocalist with Recording Artist: Josh Jones Nu Horizon, New Orleans, Louisiana; Vocalist with Recording Artist: Bishop Alvin Davis & Company, Baldwin, LA; Greater St. Stephan Gospel Choir and Praise Team; Background Studio Vocalist for Ebony Lockett (2009), Community of Faith Praise Team, 2012-2013

Currently, I sing at many venues and with various groups throughout Houston area. In addition to all of this, I also perform a great deal of gospel music on the praise team at the Community of Faith.

As you can see I have a great deal of experience and expertise different genres, and I look forward to sharing my knowledge with my students.

*** Lesson Details ***
To my future students:

I sit down at our first lesson to make a Custom Lesson Plan for what you want to study and goals you want to achieve.

I want to help you reach your goals and make you happy as a singer, so I am open to teach you anything no matter how little/much experience you have.

Next, we will pick a fun area to work on, and a challenging area to conquer. For example: we will work on a fun song then we will work on reading and/or rudiments.
I am also very patient and flexible to those students whom have special needs, or need to accelerate at a slower pace.

“Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought.”- E.Y. Harburg

*** Studio Equipment ***
Living room: keyboard, stands, music books, additional seating for parents.

Vocal Studio: Practice room, piano/keyboard, music stands, chairs; waiting area with television for parents/guests; security system; recording equipment

*** Specialties ***
CLASSICAL MUSICAL, GOSPEL, NEO-SOUL, JAZZ

rs to professional musicians.

est soloist at the “Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes” and the “Festival Internacional de Música Contemporánea M.Enríquez” in Mexico City, with the Boca del Rio Philharmonic Orchestra (Mexico), Oaxaca Symphony Orchestra, Aguascalientes Symphony Orchestra (Mexico), Puebla Symphony Orchestra (Mexico), Guanajuato Symphony Orchestra (Mexico), and Heredia Symphony Orchestra (Costa Rica).

As a soloist my most important recent activities include the American premiere of the chamber version of the opera DeCachetitoRaspado by Juan Trigos at the Rialto Center for the Arts in Atlanta with Bent Frequency Ensemble (2015). By the same composer, has been remarkable my participation as a guest soprano in the world premier and recording for iTinerant of the works Cantata Concertante No. 3 Phos Hilaron (2013), and Symphony N. 4 Nezahualcoyotl Icuicahuan (Songs of Nezahualcoyotl) for soprano and orchestra, with texts in Nahuatl by Nezahualcoyotl (2016), and also my participation as a guest soloist with the orchestra Carlos Chávez in Mexico City and at the Eastman School of Music of Rochester, NY. As a chorister I sing with the Houston Chamber Choir since August 2016 and occasionally with the Houston Grand Opera since January 2017.

I studied voice in Italy with M.Trombetta and specialized with Paolo Barbacini, C. Desderi, T.Krause and M.Sighele in opera repertoire, E.Battaglia and L.Gallo in German Lieder, and Dorothy Dorow in interpretation of first XXth Century repertoire.

years. Students who have studied with him come from a wide range of backgrounds with different goals. Those who have continued with musical studies in college have consistently placed out of at least the first two semesters of music theory and achieved advanced placement in their chosen fields of study. Those who chose a different path continue to benefit from the education and training they received from taking music lessons.

*** Lesson Details ***
There is no "standard formula" to lessons. Each student has their own unique background, needs, and goals. Lessons tend to be somewhat casual but are structured in such a way as to meet the unique requirements of the student.

To accomplish your goals, there are a few requirements and basic expectations that the student and parent must meet.
The first is practice. Students are expected to practice daily for at least the length of their lesson time. This, above all else, is essential to progress. It is also expected that a parent will attend lessons for students who are too young to drive themselves here. It's important for a parent to guide the student's practice time (particularly for younger students) to ensure that the most is gained from it. This is why I ask that a parent observe lessons.
Each student or parent should bring to each lesson a notebook, pencils (with erasers). The notebook will be used to record notes about each lesson, homework, practice advice, etc. Pencils (not pens...nobody's perfect!) are used by composers to record their creations and performers to mark their music. Both of these essential practices are subject to changing thought and must be open to change. So no ink, please!

Performers: It is not necessary to know how to read music at the first lesson for beginners. However, learning to read is required for subsequent lessons and will be a large focus for all non-readers. Lessons are not learned "by ear." A certain amount of theory will be a part of every lesson just as technique and repertoire. Concerning repertoire, it will be selected based on the student's learning needs but also with their input. The main emphasis on performance lessons, however, will be technique and reading. Students should come to the first lesson prepared to discuss their background & goals and the plan of their course of study.
Note: Voice students must be at least 16 years of age.

Composers: Just as with performers, it is not necessary to know how to read music at the first lesson. However, learning to read is required for subsequent lessons. Many young composers have great ideas but can only hear them in their heads or play them on an instrument. Lessons will allow you to obtain the skills to write them down with greater speed, accuracy, and clarity. More advance students will also include exploring a wider range of harmonic languages, advanced notation, instrumentation, orchestration, and aural skills. Students should come to the first lesson with examples of their work, either written, notated, or recorded in a digital format. They should be prepared to discuss their background & goals and the plan of their course of study.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
• To reschedule a lesson, more than one day notice is required.

• Make up lessons must be scheduled before the next regular lesson.

• A make up lesson cannot be scheduled in place of a regular lesson.

• If, for any reason, two 30-minute lessons are scheduled one right after the other, they will be charged as two 30-minute lessons, not one 60 minute lesson which is a different rate.

• If, for any reason, two 45-minute lessons are scheduled one right after the other, they will be charged as two 45-minute lessons, not one 90 minute lesson which is a different rate.

• the studio space is also inhabited by two lovely cats. Do consider this when signing up for lessons.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Yamaha DGX-650 weighted 88 keys full sized keyboard
area for parents to sit and observe lessons.

*** Specialties ***
Main area is in classical music and media scoring with secondary focus on musical theatre vocal performance and composing/arranging.

ns, and Pony Up.

When I have free time I volunteer with the Houston Chapter of Girls Rock Camp to help teach girls empowerment through songwriting and music.

*** Lesson Details ***
I began teaching as an afterschool job when I was 16. I was homeschooled, so I feel that the experience taught me that everyone learns differently and that there is not just one standardized method to playing music.

My teaching style varies with each student, but the one constant is my ability to make each and every client I encounter completely fall in LOVE with music. It's my super power.

Lesson plans are tailored for your specific needs and to help you achieve your musical goals and aspirations at your desired pace. I enjoy my students and making music with them.

Here is an overview of the lessons that I provide.

Guitar:
Finger Picking, Song Writing, Rhythm, Lead, Scales,Modes & Ear Training.

Songwriting and composition: Learn techniques, how to brain storm and plot your musical story line. This class pairs great with vocal lessons or guitar lessons.

Bass:
Scales, Rhythm, Beginner and Advanced song structure, Ear Training

Ukulele :
Technique, Intro to Chords, Ear Training, Strumming patterns - Ukulele is one of my favorite classes to teach. You simply can not help but smile when playing this instrument!

Vocals :
Breathing techniques, Scales, Harmonizing

tate University, located in Kent, OH, and I earned my Bachelor's degree in Music Education. I'm definitely a fun-loving, outgoing person, and my teaching style is tailored to my students; a think-outside-the-box style, and hands-on.

Let's get together, reach for those stars, and grab your goals!