I am a professional, award-winning classical singer, educator, and composer with a degree in classical voice performance earning my income solely from gig work for over a decade. Since moving to Portland in 2016, I have collaborated creatively with over fifty local artists in both classical and contemporary music; performed and recorded with more than thirty ensembles across genres; taught and mentored roughly two hundred amateur music students, ages 6-70, and assisted several dozen music students as they transitioned from avocational to professional by providing opportunities for and assistance with performances, original music production, collaboration, and engagement with Portland's art community. My primary work since March 2020 has been creating and releasing music with local artists, culminating in the release of three singles and two award-winning music scores. “1955” will be presented at an Oscar-qualifying film festival this fall. After a hiatus due to the pandemic, I am offering lessons again and will cap my roster at sixteen students.
As a music educator, I’m dismayed by the lack of accurate information online about singing. Attitudes regarding talent hinder learning and creativity and feed the musical homogeneity of chart-toppers funded and funneled through giants like Warner-Chappell. I want to dispel myths like “sing from the diaphragm.” I want everyone to know that vocal fold surgery is avoidable. I want to encourage and assist new music makers. Nobody is born singing. Nobody enters the world writing songs. You are capable and you have a valuable perspective to share with others! And I would be honored to assist you on your musical journey.
Our lessons will be rooted in vocology, the science and practice of voice habilitation, and include exercises for vocal health addressing a variety of needs and structured around balancing all three parts of the vocal mechanism: breath, phonation, and resonance; how to troubleshoot during practice so that you may be your own teacher throughout the week and going forward; insight into compositional techniques. The core of our work will explore creativity and implore you to use your own unique voice.
