Personal Statement:
Whether you are just beginning your vocal journey or you are a busy performer who wants to improve healthy technique; perhaps you are a worship leader or backup singer struggling with vocal strain, my goal is to teach you how to find vocal freedom and maintain an amazing, healthy voice that will confidently meet your expectations, year after year, in every situation, every time.
As a stage vocalist, musician and worship leader, I understand the demands and the challenges of a busy performance calendar, singing sets for back-to-back audiences day after day and week after week, and the need for a vocalist to find the vocal freedom that will produce confidence in their voice no matter what the venue.
Lessons held in my stress-free home studio or I can come to you for worship team workshops or group lessons. Call or email me for a free consultation or introductory lesson.
References available.
Education
Various Music Studies (private and institutional) Sep 1971 – Present
Includes Berkeley College of Music
Advanced Chamber Choir
Advanced A Cappella Choir
Quartet/Barbershop Harmonies
Advanced Women’s Ensemble
Advanced Stage Performance
Speech Level Singing (ongoing)
Ear Training 101
Music Theory
Songwriting
Perfect Pitch Ear Training (current)
Piano for Worship (current)
Currently enrolled Berkeley College of Music seeking a Specialization Certificate in Modern Musicianship. Studies include ~ Developing Musicianship, Introduction to Music Production, Songwriting and a Capstone Project
Music and Worship Arts Studies ~ Sep 2001 – Jun 2002
Calvary Chapel School of Worship
Worship arts, Sound Engineering, Voice, Guitar, Band Dynamics, Songwriting, Music Theory, Music History.
Teaching Philosophy:
The first steps to mastering vocal freedom are the building blocks for vocal success. Whether the student is a child or an adult, with little or no training, it is my goal to make singing an enjoyable and freeing experience.
Singing with complete vocal freedom and confidence can be very elusive. Surprisingly, it’s not as elusive as one might think! The steps to vocal freedom are within reach and most students experience a measure of vocal freedom within the first few lessons.
Using a systematic method incorporating learning technique and songs the student loves to sing makes learning more fun and gives the student a greater appreciation of music as a whole while encouraging a passion for music that lasts a lifetime.
~ Igor Stravinsky said,
“The trouble with music appreciation in general is that people are taught to have too much respect for music; they should be taught to love it instead.”
Background:
Developing musically and vocally since childhood under outstanding instructors and studying Speech Level Singing, has given me opportunities performing in small and large venues locally and internationally. Experiences include singing in octets and chamber choirs, playing guitar and singing with country and bluegrass bands as well as performing with a choir of thousands.
Other experience and venues also include Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, and the Anaheim Convention Center, Riverside Convention Center, San Francisco cathedrals, Churches and local coffee houses, as well as stage musicals and operettas, a cappella choirs and rock bands.
As a soloist, public performances have included leading rolls in stage musicals, guest appearances for community outreaches, breast cancer awareness events and special memorial services for those who have given their lives serving our great country.
As a christian musician, I’ve been honored to have my voice heard by audiences in Japan, China, Wales, England, Mexico, Sri Lanka, and the US.
From 1986 through 1991 as a special guest and back-up vocalist with various worship leaders in numerous churches, christian women’s events and worship conferences in California and Japan.
After serving with my husband as missionaries in Japan, we returned to the US in 1991. I served in the worship ministry choirs and adult and children’s worship bands at Calvary Chapel Moreno Valley, CA.
In November of 1996 my husband and I were appointed at Calvary Chapel Perris Valley, CA where my husband is Senior Pastor and I serve as the Music Ministry Director participating in and directing both adult and children’s music departments.
My music and original songs have been published on CD and I continue singing weekly in my home church and as a special guest for public events, worship services and women’s events as well as musical theater.
Becoming a music educator came quite by accident as I found myself mentoring and teaching others who came to me for help and instruction. The challenges that arose as a result naturally require an ongoing musical education as I desire to pass on the very best techniques and philosophy possible.
The more recent chapter of my ongoing musical education and training led me to pursue excellence and become a certified vocal instructor and an associate vocal instructor with TakeLessons and Rock University, Ca.
The Voice Box 