Jessica C. TakeLessons Instructor Opera, Classical, Broadway, Music Theory, General Music/Music for Children, voice, singing Inverness Ave, Atlanta, GA

Jessica Lauren is currently a senior Vocal Performance major with a concentration in Opera. Jessica has been teaching since 2002, and has been performing professionally and in school since the age of five. Her past performance work includes: the opera chorus in the Athena Grand Opera's performance of Puccini's La Bohéme; one of a hand-picked octet in the University of Georgia's production of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas; the soprano soloist in the University's performance of Henk Bading's Stabat Mater; a featured member of the Kennesaw State University's Chamber Singers at the 2006 Georgia Music Educators Association National Conference; a soprano soloist in Kennesaw State University's presentation of the Mozart Requiem.


Jessica has also enjoyed participating in opera workshops at Kennesaw State University, in which she has played a variety of roles ranging from Ännchen (Der Freischütz) and the 3rd Knitter (Game of Chance) to Alice Ford (Falstaff) and Mathilde (Guillaume Tell). She won the 2006 state division of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), was a finalist in the Kennesaw State University Concerto Competition, and received the honor of semi-finalist for the Tanglewood Music Center Summer Program. Jessica has also been privileged to engage in master classes with such prestigious performer-teachers as Kate Murray and Michael Rice.

Jessica is a frequent soloist in several Atlanta area churches, and has had the honor of performing in Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter services, as well as many other occasions throughout the year.  She has recently performed in the Rutter Requiem as the soprano soloist.

Jessica's affiliations include the Emmy Award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus under the direction of the inimitable Norman Mackenzie; the Michael O'Neal Singers, conducted by the widely acclaimed Dr. Michael O'Neal; and the Kennesaw State University Chamber Singers and Haygood Memorial United Methodist Church Chancel Choir, both led by the highly accomplished, unrivaled Dr. Leslie Blackwell.

My main goal in teaching is to provide each student with the fundamental tools of music and singing.  While not every student will make singing his or her career, these tools are essential for playing any instrument; and the methods of learning music, practicing technique, and building confidence for performing are applicable in every aspect of life! 

I am dedicated to giving my students stimulating, effective lessons that entice and motivate them to become life-long students of music.  My personality is adaptable, and I am easily able to teach students of all ages, and experience and comfort levels! 

I believe in comprehensive learning, and so I have come up with an "all-at-once" method of teaching music.  This method focuses on repertoire and learning theory, technique, expression, and history through specific songs.  I find this method is beneficial for most age groups, and students are more likely to remember these points because of the music they study.

What to expect:

The First Lesson:  During our first lesson, we will discuss any past experience in music and singing, including a small skills assessment.  We will also discuss your goals and what you hope to gain from studying private voice.  You will receive copies of documents such as the studio attendance and makeup policies, as well as additional information about seminar, recital, and competition opportunities.  The last part of the lesson will be spent vocalizing, and we will end with some exercises to practice throughout the week.

Every Lesson:  We will warm up the voice with vocal exercises, and we will have 5-minute theory lessons each lesson incorporated into the vocal exercises to improve sight-singing, ear training, and rhythm.  A small portion of each lesson will also be dedicated to learning about diction; and you will learn about the IPA (International Phoenetic Alphabet) system and how to use it in the repertoire you are given.

Repertoire will be assigned as early as the second week, and we will use the repertoire you are assigned to explore the key and meter, concepts of rhythm and melody, and diction and phrasing.

"Homework" will be assigned as needed, and is mostly based on the repertoire (rhythmic and melodic issues, phrasing, etc.).  Vocal exercises will be assigned less frequently; but for optimal results in your vocal study, I will ask that you sing some or all of the vocal exercises every day.

While I enjoy teaching all genres of music, I do believe that "standard classical repertoire" have great things to teach all of us.  For that reason--- regardless of your chosen genre--- every student will be required to learn at least one classical piece.  Your full repertoire list will be tailored to your specific needs, goals, experience, and the completely unique qualities of your voice!

I specialize in opera and classical. I also enjoy teaching musical theatre/Broadway, pop, and folk genres. I teach all levels (kids, adults, teens, teenagers, college, high, middle, elementary, beginning, intermediate, advanced).

Opera, Classical, Broadway, Music Theory, General Music/Music for Children, voice, singing