FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Yes! My standard pricing is $60 per hour, $50 for 45 minutes or $40 for 30 minutes (30 minutes typically offered for children due to smaller attention spans). Lessons can take place weekly, bi-monthly, monthly or sporadically if preferred - however they fit into your life. If you plan to take weekly lessons, however, I can offer a price reduction of $10 each lesson - - for example, $200 per month for four 60-minute lessons or $160 per month for four, 45-minute lessons. I also offer two scholarships per year for students who cannot afford my pricing but are extremely committed to learning about their voice.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Let me first say that there isn’t exactly a “typical” - - much of our work together will depend on your goals for taking lessons. For example, if you are just starting out and want to understand your voice and sing for yourself our lessons may look a little different than if you are working on starting a professional singing career. But in general… In our first meeting together, I start by getting to know you a bit better - - what are your past experiences and what are your goals for taking voice lessons? Then, we move into vocal exercises, determining your natural voice type (are you an alto, mezzo, soprano, tenor, baritone, bass?), expanding range, increasing breath support, working through your break/s and perfecting vocal technique (including singing with a raised soft pallet, a lowered larynx, “yawn” space). We then move into music study – what we choose to sing will be dependent on the type of music you are interested in studying. I have experience teaching (and singing) jazz, blues, pop, musical theater and classical music. Once we have chosen what you will be singing, I work through the songs with you continuing to work on the vocal technique we worked on during our warm-ups section, but also adding performance techniques and connecting emotionally to the music. If you are interested in ultimately performing, we will work on improving performance skills and creating performance opportunities. I am a firm believer that you don’t get better at performing in the practice room - - you have to be singing in front of people to do that. Above all, my lessons are joyful! I love to teach and I believe with all my heart that singing should be a fun and positive experience. It’s a myth that it has to be difficult and stressful to make progress. You can be serious about singing and getting better at your craft, while loving every moment of study!
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I was born into a family of musicians, and spent my early years learning and performing. After a degree in Music Education from Montana State University and musical studies in Italy, I was invited to a prestigious young artist program called Teatro Felice in New York City. I spent my days rigorously studying vocal production, Italian language, auditioning and performing. I was accepted to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music for a master’s degree in Vocal Performance, which I decided against after realizing that Jazz and Blues were a more authentic direction for me. I then studied at the Stanford Jazz Workshop under Madeline Eastman, and learned a great deal thanks to the Regional Arts and Culture Council, who funded my educational experience. I spent the next few years performing in the Portland Jazz scene and releasing my first album called On the Wind. My latest album, Something to Talk About, was recorded at a live tribute to Bonnie Raitt that I produced featuring top NW talent including Lisa Mann, David Jacobs-Strain, Ara Lee, Shelly Rudolph, Mark Bowden, Anne Weiss, Rich Landar and Dan Stueber. I have several exciting performance projects, including Midnight Honey, a soulful collaboration with Shelly Rudolph, packed with powerful harmonies and joyful originals. I also perform regularly with Lisa Mann and Mary Kadderly in a show called Trifecta, showcasing three very different female musicians who work together to put on one outstanding show. I also have my own band, and am in the process of working on a new album of original music that I can’t wait to share. I have performed at the Waterfront Blues Festival, Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, Pdx Jazz Festival, Bite of Oregon, Silverton Jazz Festival, Alberta Rose Theatre, Craterian Theater, Everett Theatre, Columbia Center for the Arts, Secret Society Ballroom, the Kink Performance Lounge (now called the Skype Live Studio) and the Left Bank Annex, where she opened for Lily Tomlin. I have appreciated radio play on KMHD, KINK, KBOO and Portland Radio Project, and coverage in the Portland Mercury, the Portland Tribune and the Jazz Society of Oregon, where she just received a full-page story as the Featured Musician for the month of August 2015.