I have a Master's in vocal performance from San Jose State University. I have sung opera, musical theater, recitals and have done straight acting as well. I have been teaching in the Bay Area for more than 27 years. I am Adjunct Faculty at Las Positas College In Livermore, CA and have been teaching the voice classes there for 10 years. I have done vocal workshops for Valley Choral Society (which is now called Valley Concert Chorale - though I did workshops for them when they were directed by Philip Manwell). I have also done workshops for Cantabella Children's choir (founded and directed by Bee Chow).
I continue to study privately, myself, and try to keep up with the latest vocal techniques through NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) workshops and through their quarterly periodical "The Journal of Singing." I also do a good deal of reading on vocal technique by such pedagogues as Richard Miller and& Oren Brown. The last two summers I have ventured into the area of pedagogy that includes Contemporary Commercial Music (other than classical) by attending the Somatic Voice Work ™ Institute at Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA. This technique was developed by Jeannette LoVetri after many years of study and research with the top voice scientists in the world.
I have also done almost 2 years private study in the Alexander Technique which I find quite useful as a supplement for posture training.
I have a thriving voice studio in Livermore with students ranging in age from 12-84.& Some of my private students have gone on to study voice at UCLA, Biola, U.C. Berkeley, and Holy Names College. Some are working regularly in the field of classical music, some are enjoying singing as an advocation in Bay Area choirs and theater groups.
My personal philosophy is that every one can learn to sing better. Personal experience has shown me that improvement can happen, in singing, with body awareness, breath work and relaxation. Singing is an athletic endeavor and requires coordination of the whole body from breathing to phonation to resonation. As in every athletic endeavor some people will be more gifted than others. However, with motivation and practice, improvement can be made at any time and at any age. I have a strong belief in making sure that the people I work with, in any situation, feel very safe when they sing. Singing is such a personal thing and I want people to feel safe both physically and emotionally when they sing. I want them to build confidence in their abilities to create sound whether it is in a group situation or individually.
For more information e-mail me at sally@freesiavoicestudio.com
