Vocal Instructor and Music Director
As a Vocal Instructor, I teach private voice lessons to a diverse cohort of students - from high school to retirement age - with a focus in traditional bel canto pedagogy. I am also the Music Director for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo NY and the Founder/Director of Sotto Voce, a collective opera company based in Buffalo NY.
My style of teaching and directing is based on that of my teacher Franco Bertacci whose lineage traces back to 19th century master pedagogue Manuel Garcia, with a special emphasis on the philosophy of Cornelius Reid. The methodology as I have inherited it focuses on uncovering the unique sound of each student’s instrument and aims to optimize vocal strength and agility. Through this approach, the study of voice becomes a kind of spiritual practice that can help students not only to make expressive music, but to better express, understand, and believe in themselves.
The primary focus of voice lessons and ensemble instruction is on teaching singers exercises that guide their vocal develop and showing them how to apply these techniques to shape rich interpretations of classical repertoire. I further tailor lessons and rehearsals to individuals based on their interest in other pursuits such as singing different genres and learning to better read, write, and understand music.
The primary focus of voice lessons and ensemble instruction is on teaching singers exercises that guide their vocal develop and showing them how to apply these techniques to shape rich interpretations of classical repertoire. I further tailor lessons and rehearsals to individuals based on their interest in other pursuits such as singing different genres and learning to better read, write, and understand music.