• Yes, I am a member of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), ORMTA (Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association), CAEA (Canadian Actors Equity Association) and ACTRA (Association of Canadian Television and Radio Artists).

• I have B.A. (Music) Yale University, and a M.Mus. in Voice Performance, McGill.

• I received advanced professional training at Summer Opera Lyric Theatre and Research Centre (Toronto), American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) (Graz, Austria), Canada Opera Piccola, Advanced Opera Training Centre, (Victoria) Wilfrid Laurier University, Voice/Opera Course (Orillia) The Mozarteum, International Summer Academy, (Salzburg, Austria)

• The vocal technique (s) I teach can be used in most musical styles.

• I have extensive experience teaching classical, musical theatre, jazz and pop standards.

• It is never too early start your child in music lessons. I recommend an early childhood music program such as Orff or Kodaly for pre-school children. You can contact the Royal Conservatory of Music for more information.

• I recommend that young children up until the age of puberty, develop their vocal and musical skills studying an instrument such as piano and participating in a good children's choir such The Toronto Children's Chorus. The early years are the best times to develop the child's musicianship, ear training and sight singing skills. It is not really necessary to have voice lessons per se during these years as long as the child's musical skills are developing.

• Once the child has passed through puberty and his/her voice has settled, it is a good time to begin voice lessons.

• If you are in good health and relatively physically active it doesn't matter how old you are.

• I can help you to sing better, and guide you on the steps to take that will point you in the right direction. However, there are very few people who actually "make a living" as professional singers. And singing talent is only one component of what is required. Each person "doing it" has a completely different story, there is no one way to get there.

• Having sung professionally for over twenty years I am very happy to share my insights and learnings about the biz with my students.

• Although we incorporate some musicianship within the context of the voice lessons, my strength is helping students with their voice production, and interpretation skills.

• If your music reading skills are still developing, I recommend you take a "sight singing" course and / join a choir that requires you to sight read on a regular basis.

• There are also some very good software programs you can use with your computer, that will help with your ear training skills.

• Yes. I find that musicians who already are accomplished on one instrument can progress relatively quickly in learning voice production.

• Yes, I particularly enjoy projects of this nature.

• Yes, the studio usually has four repertoire classes a year, where the students perform for each other in a supportive, nurturing and fun atmosphere.

• We also have an "end of the year" recital where you can show what you've learned to your family and friends. This recital is usually followed by a studio barbeque. Yum!

• It is better to practise a little every day than for a long time once or twice a week. Vocal technique is a physical and mental skill that needs to be practised regularly for it to "take." I recommend at least 15 minutes once or even twice a day for beginners.

• Everyone will find their own way, but here are suggestions for the beginner.

1. Listen to the recording of your lesson and make a few notes of things to focus on for the week.

2. Start your practise session by stretching a little and limbering up physically

3. Do some of the warm up exercises that we do at the beginning of your lesson-looking for the things you've decided to focus on for the week. Check in a mirror to make sure your posture is correct and you have a pleasant expression on your face.

4. Once you have "warmed up the voice" pick a section of your repertoire to work on technically. Work this section as a vocal exercise on vowels or on-sets.

5. Either continue on that song or go to another, now working more on musical and interpretive aspects.

   Tip: Keep a log of what you are doing and any questions you may have to bring to your lesson.
   
   Tip: It is much better to have a short disciplined and focussed session than a long one where not much is accomplished.
   

6. Once you have completed the hard stuff, reward yourself by singing something for the pure enjoyment of it.

• I accompany beginning students in classical, popular and jazz standards.

• However, I recommend that intermediate and advanced student use a pianist to play for their lessons. It allows me to focus more fully on the student while I teach.