Voice lessons
While the voice may be invisible, singing does not have to be a mystery. The voice is a flexible and versatile instrument and, like any skill, singing is highly trainable. Every body is different— while no one voice can do everything, singers are capable of much more than they think. I consider it a privilege to help students break through their (often self-imposed) limits—physiological, mental, and otherwise.
As a teacher, I want to give you a clear, evidence-based foundation in functional voice technique so you can understand (and appreciate!) how your instrument works. Technical concepts such as breath, registration, and resonance are presented simply so you are empowered to teach yourself. My goal is for you to build a sustainable, versatile vocal technique that enables you to express yourself with satisfaction.
Each of my students is honored and taught as an individual. I believe that everyone is artistic and deserves to explore their potential for discovery and fulfillment through music. The voice is the only instrument we all share to communicate and express in everyday life. As such, our voices often seem inseparable from our identities. I believe that training both body and mind are critical for free expression, and I often include mindfulness practice as a way to nurture this mind-body relationship in lessons.
Artistry is just as important to me as technical proficiency. As your collaborator, I embrace your ideas and will help you express them without inhibition. Together, we’ll explore text, character, interpretation, and style so you can more deeply connect with music that speaks to you. After all, why else are we doing this?
I’ve taught privately for over a decade, preparing singers for college auditions, theatre productions, NYSSMA, open mics, and personal enjoyment. I have taught at Boston Conservatory at Berklee, CUNY Queens College, Manhattanville College, The College of New Jersey, Monmouth University, AfterWork Theater, the Webb Institute, University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, Lesley University, the Franklin School of the Performing Arts, and the Miami Conservatory of Music. I continue my own education and creative projects so I can stay current on ways to best help my students.
Classical, musical theatre, and contemporary styles are all welcome. Lessons are available in both NYC and online. I look forward to singing together!
Interested in singing together? Let’s talk! Contact me via the link below, and you can also learn more on my About Me page.
Download my official teaching philosophy below.
Voice TESTIMONIALS
Group teaching TESTIMONIALS
“Elena’s love of teaching is clear from the moment you walk in the room, and is one of the reasons I loved this course, even though I really don’t have any interest in diction. She is extremely passionate, and her excitement makes the class a fun and accepting place. We are never afraid to ask questions, and the information is presented clearly and concisely. She’s just pretty much awesome.”
-Frost School of Music student, course evaluation
“You made this class so much fun, and your enthusiasm makes me want to continue learning this material.”
-Frost School of Music student, course evaluation
“Thank you for a great semester. I learned so much about singing and it was both helpful for teaching as well as for my own singing.”
- Philip S., Vocal Pedagogy student, CUNY Queens College
workshops
We’re told to pay attention. We’re told to not to be so self-critical. We’re told to just let things be what they are. But how often are we actually taught how?
HOW I GOT HERE
In grad school, I took a peak performance class which taught musicians mental strategies to improve performance, especially mindfulness. I couldn’t believe that in all my years of training, I had never learned something so vital – both to performing and simply living my best. After years of crippling performance anxiety, mindfulness was the only tool that enabled me to sing with a satisfaction I had never felt before (and I had tried nearly everything).
As someone who struggled for years, I understand how isolating performance anxiety can feel. I wished I had known sooner how to work with it - or at least felt free and safe to talk about it. So, I devised two presentations and workshops where we do just that.
PERFORMING YOUR PERSONAL BEST
Knowledge is power. Students learn the causes, symptoms, and coping strategies for performance anxiety. By contextualizing their personal experience in this fact-based and friendly presentation, students have a gateway to:
more deeply understanding themselves, as individuals and artists
creating empowered, uninhibited performances
PERFORMANCE READINESS:
WHERE MIND MEETS BODY
I believe that the mind should be cultivated alongside the voice from the beginning of training. We warm up our instruments – why not our minds? Mindfulness remains a consistent practice in my teaching, and my doctoral research investigated the effects of mindfulness practice in the collegiate voice studio.
In this interactive workshop, we discuss what mindfulness is and isn’t and explore several formal and informal practices. No one practice fits all, and these activities are accessible for a variety of individual needs and preferences. Because individual experiences are unique and valuable to the group, there is ample time for reflection and discussion.
This work can be customized for university students, high school students, teacher PDs, and private studios. If you’d like to inquire about booking a workshop for your school, studio, or organization, please contact me.