Paeonian Springs, VA Opera Voice Lessons

signed around the needs of each student. The first lessons is always spent testing range, knowledge and abilities already known by the student. Then the student weighs in on what kind of music they would like to learn and what they hope to gain from the lessons. Theory and ear training are incorporated into the lessons. We work on breathing, technique and style. Generally we start with English or Italian. We work on vocal performance from a classical standpoint but Jazz and Broadway can also be taught if desired by the student. Scales and exercises are given each week to be worked on until the next lesson. A recording device is encouraged if the student cannot play the piano. Also, a voice note book to take notes during the lesson to be used during practice during the week.

*** Specialties ***
classical voice and jazz voice.

of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, The Voice Workshop, and the Loudoun Fairfax Music Fellowship.

ofessionally now for over twenty years. Some students want to take a few lessons to see if it is something they will enjoy, others have worked with me for over a decade. I have mentored several students who have gone on to professional careers. I have experienced a lot of success teaching young children and those with special needs. I have been blessed with a tremendous amount of patience and truly enjoy teaching anyone who wants to learn.

Whatever your goals or abilities, I look forward to working with you!

*** Lesson Details ***
Experience fun based lessons as my teaching approach is relaxed and inspirational. I enjoy working with all ages, adjusting my teaching methods to accommodate your learning style and abilities. Learn to play the music you love! You learn best when you enjoy what you are playing, I can help you play along with your favorites or even write your own songs. I always ask my students at the beginning of a lesson "What would you like to do today?" Then structure the lesson accordingly into a routine that the student can practice on their own. Generally the time is divided into warm ups, learning new material, then picking a fun song the student choses. Whether your interest is Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop music, etc... I'm here help you reach your goals so let's make your dreams come true with music together!

*** Travel Equipment ***
Books, Guitar, music stand, metronome, picks, tuner, page clips, capo, media player, laptop, Keyboard (on request), and recording equipment (on request)

*** Specialties ***
With Voice I specialize in helping people prepare for auditions such as American Idol. I have students who simply want to be karaoke stars. I have several professional singers that hire me as a voice coach and producer for recording sessions. I have taught children as young as 2 and those that retired with a lifelong dream to sing. Though my training is classical, I can teach Jazz, Pop, Rock, Rap, R&B, etc...whatever is fun for the student. I highly recommend learning to read music but I do not push it unless parents want their child to.

With Piano I can teach traditionally from Alfred and Bastien Piano Courses depending if they are auditory or visual learners. For Kinesthetic learners I use Hanon scale exercises and Rothman Rhythm Exercises. For those that want to learn notation I introduce classical and Jazz composers unless there is a popular artist/band/movie theme etc...that they would like to learn. However I do not push students to read music unless their parents would prefer it. I tend to keep more students that want to learn to play by ear especially adults by using rhythm training and music theory exercises and then applying them to songs they love. For piano I haven't had much success with children younger than 3. I also have a lot experience working with special needs children.

For Guitar I teach Classical, Acoustic, and Electric all styles and genres. I encourage sight reading but don't mind using tabs. I use more exercises with these students, since the first month students have a hard time making a sound. I try to make the lessons fun by having students strum chords along with songs they chose. I teach lead and rhythm even songwriting and composition. Job satisfaction for me is seeing my students leave a lesson with a smile on their face so I make sure to be a fun based teacher that doesn't give the student a hard time about not practicing.

For Recording and Performance I use the knowledge I gained doing Pro Audio Sales for Guitar Center from 2000-2002 to help clients build their own home studio. I have lots of producers and engineers I work with on a regular basis to produce broadcast quality audio and video recordings and help my students use their lessons and pre-production for those opportunities. I can teach Garage Band or Pro Tools classes on navigating the software and utilizing all the commands. I can also teach room acoustics and using the right microphone and how to position them with the right equipment and the right acoustics to get the best possible tone that they are looking for. I can also teach editing, mixing, looping, sampling, midi, and mastering so that the student can eventually work on their own writing, performing, and recording their music.

and her career. Melding artist expression with technical ability, Nicole's talents and passion make her a performer and teacher with the ability to bridge honest and natural acting skills with a powerful and studied classical voice! Throughout her life, Nicole has found herself pursuing classical voice, rock music and theatrical performance with a drive and passion that surprises even those who know her well. Her students have included parents and children alike as she has opened the door for many to pursue their life-long passions, she also is experienced in and loves teaching and working with special needs students.

*** Lesson Details ***
All of my lessons are tailored to the interest of the student! Although I come from a strict technical background, I believe that the love of music and performance comes from experimenting and being creative! In a lesson with me, I suggest repertoire but if something is not working it is never a problem to redirect and find the right path for the student! With the wealth of my experience having been in over 45 musicals, opera's and other productions I can teach and guide the student through any performance and musical interest they may have and bridge the gap between genre's that so many are unable to do.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Living Room, computer, keyboard, couch.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect the students to provide a piano and or instrument of choice, and purchase method books and other repertoire.

*** Specialties ***
I am expert in any type of vocal style, as I have an extensive background in musical theatre, pop as well as opera. I also have a great ability to teach Music Theory, something I love and something I do very well at. Like I said previously I have been in over 45 musical theatre/straight theatre and Opera productions, so I can teach acting as well as performance. I have also written over 50 songs for guitar and voice and performed with a local band in Santa Barbara, CA , so I have a lot of experience as a songwriter and guitar and can teach those as well too.

allow her students to express themselves in their individually unique ways. Donna looks forward to working with new students from the Winchester area.

Donna G's Education:
DMA Candidate in Voice Performance, Shenandoah Conservatory
MM Voice Performance, Michigan State University
MM Choral Conducting, Michigan State University
BM Music Education and Vocal Performance, Northwestern University

*** Lesson Details ***
The goal of Donna's voice studio is to promote vocal arts and current activities in the various public schools and communities represented in the studio. Donna also enjoys playing piano, vocal coach accompanying, community theatre, working with diverse singing styles from classical to musical theatre and jazz/pop, songwriting, and designing individual curriculum that allow her students to express themselves in their individually unique ways. Best known for preparing singers for music and theatre auditions, Donna also enjoys encouraging singers to find public venues in which to share their talents and accomplishments. Such venues include school, community, recitals, or church worship experiences.

Donna's teaching style and personality can be described as "easily approachable with an emphasis on personal growth". Additionally, she is known for promoting relatively high standards so that her singers feel continuously challenged and inspired to work toward creative and artistic expression and performance goals.

*** Travel Equipment ***
If I must travel to a student's home, I would need him/her to provide a piano or keyboard. I can bring music books/repertoire. If the student wishes to drive to my home studio, I can provide a piano as well as a large vocal and piano music library.

*** Specialties ***
~Certified Lovetri Somatic Voicework (sm) at Shenandoah University Summer Vocal Music Institute
~specializing in opera vocal styles as well as ability to cross-train voice for musical theatre and pop/rock styles
~ability in vocal coach accompanying on piano/keyboard
~lyricist and songwriter for rock bands over the past 20 years
~musical director for musical theatre productions for 15 years

BA of Music, she has studied under renowned Romanian soprano, Virginia Zeani, Met Opera baritone Mark Oswald, and internationally acclaimed bel canto pedagogue Joan Patenaude-Yarnell. She is also a disciple of Bulgarian piano virtuoso Tzvetan Konstantinov. Susanna serves on the board of the The International Master Institute of Music "Leopold Godowsky", Inc.

Susanna instructs on proper intercostal support and the alignment of the vowels is emphasized to create long, seamless lines. Support is accompanied by a mixing of the registers to promote even vocal resonance up and down the scale. A wide range of literature may be explored, including opera, lieder, oratorio, and classical musical theatre in all voice types.

Susanna now serves as President/CEO of her own private company here in Washington, DC and as a board member of the The International Master Institute of Music "Leopold Godowsky" in McLean, VA. She currently resides in Dupont Circle.

--Student Consultations--
Accepting new students for classical and musical theater genres only. Students should have the availability to practice 5-7 days per week, 60 mins per day. For your consultation, please either bring a piece from the classical voice repertoire or a piece of classical musical theater. Lessons should be recorded (iPhone is fine).

--M Institute for the Arts (Georgetown) Location--
Baby Grand Piano
Music Stand
Large Room
Professional Recording Equipment
Music Library

-Dupont Circle Location-
Electric Piano
Large Room
5 Min Walk from Dupont Circle Metro

--Recitals/Performances--
Available.

--Ages Accepted--
A child's voice should be mature enough to safely embark on the rigors classical training. Please feel free to schedule a consultation to see if your child is ready for lessons.

--Scheduling--
I do not update my TakeLessons scheduler, as I have students at various different studios, including my own conservatory in Georgetown. I have my own scheduler outside of TakeLessons. Please select your first-choice time slot on TakeLessons and we will go from there!

e Virginia area I find myself teaching and singing A LOT of musical theater.

Along with my love of teaching, I also enjoy performing immensely. I've been in some community theater productions in the area, and I have also music directed one as well! I enjoy working with students on audition techniques and picking great songs that will get them cast as well.

I teach my lessons with a beautiful baby grand in the cozy basement of my home in Sterling.

The styles of voice I specialize in teaching are: classical, pop, and musical theater.

Please shoot me a message if it seems like we'd be a great fit for each other! I look forward to meeting you.

ic directed many musical theater productions including 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee(Rona Lisa Peretti), Avenue Q (Music Director and Conductor) and Dogfight (Assistant Music Director and Vocal Coach).

I have over 8 years of experience in the choral music canon. While at JMU I participated in the Advanced Women's Chorus and was the soprano section leader and undergraduate leader of the James Madison Singers. I also have experience as Music Director and Choral Leader of the St Stephens UCC.

During my time at JMU I was the Music Director and arranger fir the premiere all-female acapella group Note-Oriety. My arrangement of JMU Note-Oriety's cover of Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj's"Bang Bang" was the winner of the Song of the Year at the 2016 CARA Awards in Boston, MA and I was blessed to be runner up in the country for Arranger of the Year. Additionally, my arrangement of JMU Note-Oriety's music video and cover of Beyonce's "Pretty Hurts" has amassed over half a million views on YouTube , was featured on USAToday, Buzfeed, FOX5 News and TEDTalk Charlotesville where I was a performer and speaker.

I also love and have experience singing and teaching other genres of music such as traditional and contemporary gospel music, pop music(I'm a huge pop culture junkie), jazz music, country music, R&B and neo soul music. My philosophy of teaching voice is that healthy classical voice technique can be adapted to all genres of music, always emphasizing safe voice practices. I'm very excited to start working with you and bring my blended musical experiences to you!

or a purpose. That purpose was serving Him, and only Him; being a willing vessel in His hands. Nita released a CD “New Songs to Sing” in 2009. The Lord did not only inspire and call her to lift her voice and sing unto Him, but to also teach others to explore and grow their gifts for His glory. Nita has been teaching piano, voice and drama extensively over the past 17 years.

Perform with Purpose:

Mission Statement: Embracing Worship as a lifestyle.
Providing a Christian environment where students get to explore, learn and grow their musical, speech and presentation abilities for the Lord.