The Studio

Advisory Council

 

Martina Arroyo, Metropolitan Opera; Internationally acclaimed Soprano

Wanda Brister, Assistant Professor of Voice, Florida State University

Nico Castel, Metropolitan Opera; Internationally renowned singer, coach and linguist; Author of Operatic Libretti Series

Carol Castel, Internationally renowned singer, coach, voice teacher and opera director

Joan Dornemann, Metropolitan Opera, Assistant conductor; Internationally renowned vocal coach; Director of Israel Vocal Arts Institute

Alan Held, Metropolitan Opera; Internationally renowned bass-baritone

Nancy Stokes-Milnes, Metropolitan Opera and International vocal artist; Internationally renowned voice teacher and vocal coach; Founder/President American Singers Opera Project, Manhattan

Marni Nixon, Star of Opera, Stage, Screen, Broadway

Dr. Robin Rice, Assistant Professor of Voice, Ohio State University

Valerie Trujillo, Assistant Professor of Coach Accompanying, Florida State University

 

Endorsements

 

"a passion for the art form, combined with a wealth of knowledgerespected by top professionals such as Joan Dornemann, Nico Castel and Martina Arroyorecommend him as a vocal technician to universities, music schoolexcellent knowledgeable teacher who will help them thru a career in singing"

Sherrill Milnes, Metropolitan Opera

 

" highly accomplished technician in the science of building voicesvalued member of our profession profound knowledge of what makes the vocal apparatus work and produce a free emission of tone with uninterrupted breath support a superb vocal pedagoguehighly recommended"

Nico Castel, Metropolitan Opera

 

"extensive knowledge of the singing voice and the communicative skills to relate that knowledgetrue passion for the art form and individual concern for the development of each of his studentsenergy, commitment and dedication"

Carol Castel, NYC vocal teacher

 

"his students attend the finest music schools in the nation and are having successes on the stages of the worlddevoted to the craft of excellent singingpromotes healthy long lasting techniquedeserves the highest superlatives as a man and teacher"

Nancy Stokes-Milnes, Metropolitan Opera,

Founder of American Singers Opera Project

 

" I have been impressed with his knowledge of repertoire and the application of solid techniques and professionalism he imparts to one and all"

Marni Nixon, star of Stage and Screen

 

"I am confident that there is no one better equipped to address the needs of the beginning singer

Liz Caplan,  Liz Caplan Studios, NYC

 

Philosophy of Vocal Technique

 

     Technique is defined by Websters New Collegiate Dictionary as : 1. The manner in which technical details are treated (as by a writer) or basic physical movements are used (as by a deacon); also : ability to treat such details or use such movements; 2a. a body of technical methods (as in a craft or scientific research); b. a method of accomplishing a desired aim.

     From this description, one can deduce that the technique involved in singing can contain both physical and non-physical details in order to learn to sing. In my studio, I use this combination of the physical and non-physical elements in order for each student to become proficient, efficient and powerful singers. Students can expect to receive:

 

-         Individual attention via exercises and vocalises to achieve the ultimate efficiency for each individual instrument.

-         At least minimal knowledge of the muscles and tissues involved in the singing process.

-         The development of their own unique, individual sound.

-         Release of the voice within.

-         Removal of obstacles which are in the singers way.

-         Specificity about why they are doing a particular exercise or vocalize and its desired result.

-         Recognition that each student receives information differently; every attempt will be made to communicate individually with everyone.

-         Positive but firm guidance.

-         An intricate and detailed path or vision designed to allow the student to achieve their goals and its implementation.

-         Correction of languages and proper vowel modification.

-         Information on correct styles of singing for each period of music and the technique involved in producing them correctly.

-         Bel canto training to achieve a voice of great range and agility in all ranges.

-         Proper training of all the muscles for power singing and a lasting career.

 

     In  my studio, I want the singer to soar and fly; have total freedom   vocally, musically, dramatically, physically, emotionally and spiritually. It is my goal to help the singer to release the voice within with no barring or holding of any kind. I believe in the Golden Rule of Bel Canto "aperto ma cuperto" (open yet covered) as a maxim of my teaching. In closing, I wish each persons unique sound to contain all of the colors of the rainbow and the body should sing and vibrate as if it were a cello.

 

A Typical Lesson

        A typical lesson :

 

1.     Brief discussion of your previous week and practice sessions.

2.     Breathing exercises.

3.     Light humming exercises.

4.     Staccato exercises for the diaphragm and musculature.

5.     Exercises for each individual vocal problem. Analysis/diagnosis/problem solving of such.

6.     Try to hit all the areas of technique : support/diaphragm; space/low larynx; resonance; tongue; soft palate; vowels; legato; diction; passaggio; agility.

 

Total time 25 minutes

 

 

Song Literature  ( arias, art songs, etc. )

Performance of arias/art songs/etc.

    Analysis and diagnosis of problem areas

    Methods of problem solving

    Assignment of future literature and areas of concentration.

 

 

Total time 20 minutes

 

Attendance, Payment, Make-Up Policy; Student Contract

The Studio is a professional vocal studio dedicated to provide the finest training in all aspects of the voice. The instructor will strive to maintain good vocal health for all students, with constant progress as the primary goal, using his knowledge and skills. As this is an artistic discipline, students will be required to follow certain guidelines to insure the best possible development.

SCHEDULING

                Lessons are (45) minutes in length, scheduled at one-hour intervals, on a once a week basis. When you schedule a lesson time, be sure it is at a time when the least amount of conflicts will arise. The time slot you schedule with the instructor is set aside for you each week for an entire semester, and no one else can fill that assigned time. This insures that the instructor will be present for you at that time each week. Constant time shifts interfere with others and is not fair to all students.

TUITION

                In order to make your lessons both affordable and evenly budgeted, a tuition system is used to pay for your lessons based on three semesters per year fall, spring and summer. The FALL semester consists of four (4) payments; 14 weeks (13 lessons and ONE required Master Class). The SPRING semester consists of five (5) payments; 14 weeks (13 lessons and ONE required Master Class) and the SUMMER Semester is three (3) payments; 9 weeks (8 lessons and ONE required Master Class). This system allows you to pay equal installments based on twelve (12) months per year of study there is NO per lesson charge per se. Do not confuse the monthly installment plan as payment in advance on four (4) lessons per month. Occasionally a payment may be due at the end of a semester before a vacation break, and is an installment on previous lessons in the semester, not on lessons, which will be upcoming.

PAYMENT

                Each semester you will receive a registration form, which contains vital information needed to maintain a file on each individual student, and a payment schedule. All payments are due on the first (1^st) of each month. You will have one week grace period. This means that you may pay for your lessons on the first (1^st) lesson of the month, provided that it falls within this seven day grace period. If you must cancel, or if ANY other circumstances prevail, it is your responsibility to make sure that your payment is made on time! Any payments made after the seventh (7^th) of the month must include a $10.00 surcharge. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE! When you register for a semester, it is a binding contract. Dropping out before the end of the semester does not relieve you of the burden of payment for that semester. You will be required to finish the payment schedule.

 

CANCELLATIONS, MAKE-UPS AND TARDINESS

•          There is ONE makeup for a lesson which you cancel per semester.

•         Makeups are scheduled at the discretion of the instructor.

•          Lessons cancelled by the instructor will be made up regardless of the number.

•          If you are late, you will receive the remaining time of your lesson.

 

LOCATION

 

Ascension Lutheran Church

7100 Mockingbird Lane

Paradise Valley, AZ

 

Email   thespiritedheart2@msn.com