*SPACE IS LIMITED! STUDENTS ENROLLED IN OTHER STUDIO BE CLASSES WILL RECEIVED PRIORITY IN SCHEDULING.

Private Vocal Instruction at Studio BE:

Our team of private vocal instructors will help you find your voice.  We offer instruction in technique, presentation, repertoire and audition preparation for students of all ages.  First timers will learn to embrace safe vocal production and be exposed to a variety of styles and genres.  Professionals will gain experience and confidence while focusing on both technique and presentation.  Each students program will be designed around their personal needs and goals.  Materials will be chosen by both the student and the instructor and may encompass such styles as broadway, jazz, pop, and classical.  Our rates are more than competitive with half hour coaching at $20 and full one hour intensives at $30.

• Selection: Student and teacher selected materials are used.  Choices are based on each student’s performance goals and vocal development needs.
• Styles: Broadway, pop, jazz, folk, art songs and opera. Style specific techniques are taught.
• Languages: English, Italian, German, Latin and French.  Songs in languages other than English are taught phonetically, either by example or by using IPA transcriptions.  Poetic and word by word translations are provided for better communication of meaning by the singer.

LESSON CONTENT

• Technique: Breath control, healthy and stylistically appropriate placement of the voice.
• Diction: Vowel and consonant production as used to interpret songs and communicate effectively with and audience.  For students studying songs in languages other than English, instruction is available in the use of International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcriptions.
• Sight-Reading: intervals, rhythms, and basic ability to sing a simple, unaccompanied melody without having seen it before.
• Theory: from general identification of clefs, note names, and note values, to cadences, history and analysis. Students will use various sources to analyze other popular singers as this will give them the skill to correct their own technique.
• Live Performance & Studio Recording Skills: vocal projection without a microphone, use of a microphone in performance and recording studio, selection of repertoire for a specific audience or event, audition skills, and creating a demo CD.

• Participation: All students are encouraged to participate in at least one recital per year.
• Recital Repertoire: Performers present 2 songs in contrasting styles. All selections are presented from memory. Duets and ensemble numbers may also be presented.
• Accompanist: A professional accompanist is hired for recitals if a performance track is not used.  This provides students with the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to rehearse and perform with professional accompanist.  Students who are able may choose to accompany themselves on piano or guitar for one of their selections.

(No Maximum Age)

• Students will be considered for voice lessons when they have reach 10 years of age (4th Grade). Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The vocal skills learned in childhood can be used even as the voice transitions through puberty. Care is always taken to select songs appropriate for the age and experience of each student. Studio BE also has experience developing the recently changed male voice.
• One is NEVER TOO OLD to learn to sing! Studio BE works with adult beginners, as well as experienced singers who wish to care appropriately for the mature voice. We even teach pitch matching to students told as children that they were “tone deaf” (in reality, a very rare condition).

Meet the Instructors.

 

 

Robert-Eric West  - MrWest@Studio-BE.org

Mr. West is a graduate of Butler University with a BA in musical theatre including concentrations in vocal performance and pedagogy as well costume, hair and make-up design. He began his career at the age of six as a member of a youth theatre studying with the acclaimed children’s theatre director and author Nora MacAlvay, returning later in life as the company’s artistic director.  Robert-Eric spent 13 years as a vocal coach and musical theatre history instructor at Indiana University where he also founded the Monroe County Children’s Theatre.  Although his talents do not include accompaniment he has worked for over 20 years with special concentration in broadway repertoire, safe belt techniques, and decoration and improvisation.  His mentors and vocal instructors have included Eileen Farrell, Giorgio Tozzi and James Mullholland. As a Classically trained singer he has sung on the concert stage as well as the commercial stage and includes both classical and contemporary technique.

 

 

Aimee Radics - Aimee@Studio-BE.org

Aimee Radics is a graduate of Ithaca College with a bachelor’s degree in music and theatre. She is a classically trained pianist and vocalist and has been playing and performing since age five. Some performance highlights include a piano performance at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City and several years spent with the Ithaca College Women’s Chorale as both a vocalist and accompanist, directed by Dr. Janet Galvan. Aimee fell into the musical theatre world as a high school freshmen and hasn’t looked
back since. She has musically directed for many educational and community theatre organizations throughout PA, NY, CT, and mostly recently the Chicago area. In addition to vocal instruction, Aimee also has experience teaching piano and youth musical theatre classes.