Musical Mentorships

SINGING

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Singing is something as natural, necessary and ritualistic to me as eating.  I wake up and sing.  It soothes, moves, heals, nourishes and connects me with the story of my life.

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I've made a lot of mistakes as a singer.  As your musical mentor, I can help you minimize unnecessary and dangerous mistakes, while also appreciating the intrinsic value of mistakes in your musical practice as guides for where to go next in the world of musical exploration. 

 

I aim to provide you with a safe space to take risks with your voice and creativity.  You can feel confident knowing you have a mentor who will help you keep your voice healthy, happy and expanding.  We will explore the elements of singing together including, but not limited to:

 

• Storytelling

• Phrase Contouring 

• Breathing Techniques

• Pitch, Melody, and Harmony

• Rhythm

• Dynamics

• Tone

• Inertiance/Back Pressure 

• Embellishment

• Improvisation

• Mindset/Confidence/Presence 

 

Whether you want to practice singing for your own personal bliss or make music your career, I will support your vision.  In our lessons, I will help you build a playful, safe, expressive and effective practice routine.  I will consider your goals, unique strengths and challenges, and the genres of music you love.  

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SONGWRITING

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As a songwriter of 15 years, I love to share this beautiful practice with other people.  Songwriting can help us move through dense emotional experiences like grief, jealousy, shame, resentment, societal turmoil, guilt, anger, sadness, fear and more.  

 

At the same time, songwriting can allow us to express life's joy, love, beauty, bliss, playfulness, sexiness, sensuality, freedom, faith and beyond.

 

I have come to know there is no one way to write a song and certainly no "right" way to write.  But there are many avenues we can walk together to find YOUR way of songwriting.  I look forward to sharing my secrets for sincere, consistent songwriting.

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YOGA  TEACHINGS

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I incorporate what I have learned as a certified yoga instructor and lifelong student of yoga into my singing curriculum.  I approach teaching voice from a somatic, tension and trauma-aware place.  I also value and honor the scientifically-proven physical health benefits of singing.  

 

I have deep respect for the spiritual healing of vocalization from my practice of Bhakti Yoga through the Power of Love school under the guidance of teacher Adriana Rizzolo.  I have an ever-growing reverence for the Indian roots of yoga and the Indian mystical traditions.  

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Inclusivity

 

When yoga was brought to the West, the wholeness of the practice was corroded over time and stripped down to its physical branch (asana).  This sterilization of the cultural history of yoga is rooted in white supremacy.  I aim to remedy this by continuously acknowledging yoga's rich cultural history, teaching yoga as a complete system to the best of my ability, and endlessly pursuing new knowledge and experiential wisdom of yoga.

 

 All people deserve to feel welcome to experience unity of the mind, body, spirit, self and collective consciousness.  This can help us in so many ways, including feeling close to fully expressing ourselves through creative mediums. These are the beautiful experiences that practicing music and yoga can teach us.  Yoga is like a guitar.  It has overlapping channels of possibility.  The koshas and chakras are like the strings and frets.  The 8 limbs are like the 8 notes in a scale.  Each one of these systems overlaps and interconnects to weave together a tapestry of energy.  It is then up to us to master awareness and learn to be with these channels of energy in a way that undeniably connects us with everything and everyone.  

 

I believe in the power of the beautiful movements led by teachers like Susanna Barkataki, to include all human beings in the practice of yoga, regardless of their size, gender identity, ethnicity, sexuality, ability or disability, and class.  

 

This inclusivity applies to my lessons.  I know that I am the only person who still has a lot of learning to do.  I am constantly researching how my offerings can be inclusive and accessible to all people.  Though I do not expect this: please feel free to tell me how I can do better to make my offerings more inclusive. 

 

Specialized Support Includes:

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• Audio Lesson Reviews for blind or neurodivergent students.

• Chair Yoga/Gentle Physical Warm ups 

• Sliding Scale for financial support

• Free Lessons for formerly incarcerated people and family members of previously or currently incarcerated people (open slots available)

 

I can't wait to start singing with you!

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