Whether your goal is to build a career around singing, or you are curious about cultivating your voice for the pure joy of it, voice lessons might be for you. Zero experience necessary!
|
|
For more information or to schedule a free intro meeting:
My Story as a Singer
|
|
|
|
|
VOCAL TRAINING
Growing up I had strong musical inclinations, but my singing voice was quiet and I always felt there was a bigger sound in there trying to get out. It wasn't until I studied classical vocal technique in college that I started to find my voice. After graduating, I moved to NYC where I worked with several teachers and studied various belting techniques. My range of training over many years has allowed me to access the power and freedom in my voice that I always thought was within me.
PERFORMANCE CAREER
I have worked in musical theater, light opera, cabaret and concert work around the country, including NYC and Chicago. For more information on my career as a performer, check out my RESUME HERE and my VIDEO CLIPS HERE.
Growing up I had strong musical inclinations, but my singing voice was quiet and I always felt there was a bigger sound in there trying to get out. It wasn't until I studied classical vocal technique in college that I started to find my voice. After graduating, I moved to NYC where I worked with several teachers and studied various belting techniques. My range of training over many years has allowed me to access the power and freedom in my voice that I always thought was within me.
PERFORMANCE CAREER
I have worked in musical theater, light opera, cabaret and concert work around the country, including NYC and Chicago. For more information on my career as a performer, check out my RESUME HERE and my VIDEO CLIPS HERE.
Teaching Philosophy
Affirmative. Collaborative. Holistic
AFFIRMATIVE
COLLABORATIVE
HOLISTIC
- Creativity and growth thrive in an environment where the student feels safe to explore new things. This openness is prioritized and fostered by directing students, whenever possible, on what TO do versus what NOT to do.
- Singing at our best often involves us learning how to get out of our own way and trust our innate abilities and cultivated skills. Fun, play, and enjoyment of the process help us do just that, often leading to producing a sound that is more powerful and free.
- There is value in focusing on intrinsic goals. Shifting more of our focus from extrinsic to intrinsic accomplishments helps prioritize and expedite singing at our own fullest potential and leads to greater musical fulfillment.
COLLABORATIVE
- Lessons are catered to each individual singer. I create a lesson structure that is in alignment with a singer's goals, strengths, challenges and learning style.
- The teacher-student relationship is collaborative. Each singer has instincts about what works for them, and we focus on cultivating those instincts. Together we build a personalized “tool kit” of techniques that help the singer tap into their own richest voice and musical expression.
- Singing is even more fulfilling when shared with others, so I have two different kinds of on-going performance opportunities for my students: individual performances via Facebook Lives, and Zoom Concerts. Examples of both can be found below. My students are also invited to attend Zoom Hangouts to foster connection, inspiration, peer encouragement and group learning. These three opportunities are open to any of my students, but totally optional and never required.
HOLISTIC
- Singing CAN be taught! Understanding the mechanics of vocal production and developing an awareness of the physical sensations of singing lead to greater pitch precision, range, power, freedom, stamina and vocal health.
- Thoughts and emotions play a major role in singing. Physiological responses to feeling nervous and afraid can have a tremendous effect on vocal production. Moving through limiting beliefs, and fostering nurturing ones, leads to more effective vocal production and expressive singing.
- Sound is healing. Tapping into our body's ability to produce a resonant and powerful sound can have a calming, centering, energizing and inspiring affect on the mind and body. Participating with music by using your voice can lead to greater creativity and confidence in other areas of your life.
Performance Opportunites
Individual Performances
|
When a student is ready to perform a song, they are invited to do a Facebook Live to sing their song and talk about their process and how they've grown. CLICK HERE to watch these performances and get a glimpse at what singers are working on in lessons. |
Group Concerts
|
Three times a year we put on a Virtual Concert via Zoom. Every student is invited to participate. CLICK HERE to watch recordings of these concerts on YouTube. |
Testimonials
"Amanda is amazingly good with kids, and has prepared my kids to successfully audition and work in professional musical theatre. Every music director they work with gives us positive feedback on the quality of the training they have received from Amanda. She has also adapted so well to the Zoom platform for virtual teaching, and her Zoom lessons are every bit as great as her in person lessons."
|
|
~Shannon Edgar
Mother of Kai and Kalea Edgar Represented by DDO Artists Professional credits include: The Metropolitan Opera NY, NETworks National Tours, Metropolis Performing Arts Center, Marriott Theater, Paramount Theater |
“Amanda is a true talent and wonderful with children. She began working with my daughter, Estella, at 10 years old. Amanda taught her how to breathe properly, sing in a safe range, read music and incorporate acting. It is very clear that Amanda is passionate about her students and wants them to be confident and succeed. Her teaching method is both fun and challenging, she encourages her students to reach the next level in a positive way.”
~Rebecca McCarthy
Owner of Rebecca McCarthy School of Dance and mother of
Estella Schultz
Represented by DDO Chicago
Professional credits include: Chicago Lyric Opera, Second City Chicago, Fireside Theater
Owner of Rebecca McCarthy School of Dance and mother of
Estella Schultz
Represented by DDO Chicago
Professional credits include: Chicago Lyric Opera, Second City Chicago, Fireside Theater
"In my short time with Amanda, I grew more as a singer than I have with any other coach. Her ability to cater specifically to the needs and language of each student is unrivaled and invaluable for every singer. Her profound vocal knowledge notwithstanding, she brings out each singer's strength by positively and conductively finding the skill sets already inside them to conquer their weaknesses. Learning with Amanda made me feel like a singer, not just an actress with a voice for the first time and because of this, I'll always recommend her to anyone."
~ Tori Weddell Stephenson
Actor NYC/LA
Actor NYC/LA
"Amanda is a highly skilled, empowering, and fierce vocal coach. Her capacity to use technical tools in an uplifting, imaginative, and playful way is delightful and incredibly effective. She also adapts to the individual and targets her exercises to benefit her student's unique voice and process. I've grown tremendously under her instruction and would recommend her to any singer ready to sing their best!"
~ Sonya Cooke,
Prepped with Amanda to play Babe in
The Pajama Game at Courtland Rep.
Prepped with Amanda to play Babe in
The Pajama Game at Courtland Rep.
"Amanda is an excellent teacher who helped me improve my vocal quality from the very first lesson. Not only does she have superior technical skills, her positive energy and enthusiasm are contagious. She was just as excited as I was when I finally learned a difficult phrase!"
~ Dawn Trautman,
Winner of the New York Innovative Theater Award
for Mrs. Tottendale in The Drowsy Chaperone
Winner of the New York Innovative Theater Award
for Mrs. Tottendale in The Drowsy Chaperone
