Susan F. TakeLessons Instructor Vocal Performance & Technique for all styles of Music, voice, singing, Beginning Acoustic... Hygeia Ave., Encinitas, CA

Susan's primary focus at Epiphany Vocal Studio is teaching correct vocal technique to her students. Her techniques include the Orff method of music for children as well as incorporating some Suzuki Methods of teaching. Susan has been teaching voice and beginning to intermediate guitar privately for fifteen years. Her students perform in recitals at least twice a year. They also participate in C.Y.T. and Coast Kids Theater Productions, and some of her students have gone on to sing professionally, worldwide.

Her history as a musician started when she began her vocal training under the instruction of Anita Lee Mixson. She studied privately with Anita and also at Diablo Valley College, in the San Francisco Bay Area. During this time she was a member of the Chamber Singers and A Cappella Choir, under the direction of Dr. Richard Kamprath. Susan toured to Hawaii with the Chamber Singers and Choir from DVC during her studies there. After two years she moved to the Chico, California where she later received her B.A. degree in Vocal Performance and English at CSU, Chico.

While Susan attended Chico State, her main focus of study was with the Opera Workshop, under the direction of Dr. Gwen Curatillo. She was also especially active in the Chamber Singers and A Cappella Choir, which were conducted by Dr. Sharon Paul. Susan performed in the Opera "Carmen", the yearly Opera Gala, and each annual Opera Ball headed by the Bravo Association. Susan did some solo performances backed by the A Cappella Choir, and toured with them throughout Europe in 1990. The CSU Chico Choir performed an original musical piece specially written for this tour by composer Kirk Meecham, entitled "Island in Space". The Choir and Chamber Singers also sang other sacred and contemporary compositions. During this trip the choir met in Estonia with the Choirs from UC Berkeley and UC Davis. There, they collaborated with the Estonian Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra in performing Hydens’ "Creation", directed by Eri Klass. They performed in Estonia, Germany, Poland, Russia, the Ukraine, and Finland.

Since her graduation Susan continued to perform and study. She has worked as a studio and session musician, doing recording for Cloud 9 Studios, and Moon Recording, with music producer, singer/ songwriter, and Grammy nominee, David Grow, and contemporary Christian rock artist/song writer Brent Bougoise. Susan has also written and recorded worship songs for missions outreaches in the Philippines, Australia, and the Netherlands. She has been active in leading worship at various churches over the last twenty-five years. As well as singing for many other venues, Susan has performed her original music for concerts on the same billings with Elvin Bishop, Dr. Hook, and the Earl Scruggs Band, for large audiences. In the past, Susan directed the choir at Ocean Knoll Elementary School in Encinitas, with Owen O'Connor as Principal. She also put on a performance showcasing her students, at the La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas.

Susan continues her goal of sharing the gift of song and music with all of her students and colleagues. Still teaching vocal instruction and beginning acoustic guitar, she hopes to continue to give her talents as an instructor, performer, composer, and recording artist to the entire community. Susan gives honor to all of her teachers, which include Anita Lee Mixson in the San Francisco Bay area, Beth Freeman (University of Nevada Reno), Ulyses Solano (prominent Costa Rican tenor), Choral Conductor Dr. Sharon Paul, and composer/teacher Dr. William Ramsey, and Alla Markovitch (Russian Opera singer). She has also taught & performed for the Magdalena Ecke YMCA in Encinitas, Ca.

Good Vocal Technique

Susan F.

My approach to teaching others to sing is a lot like giving my students the keys to unlock and free their voices. The most important key is for the individual to have a really passionate heart to sing and/or play guitar. If the desire is truly there, the ability almost always is as well. There are very few actually tone deaf people in the world, so it is a rare occurrence. This leaves the remainder of the population as potential singers & musicians.

Of course no two voices are alike. Just like fingerprints, each voice is totally unique. There are those who are born with what are known as “big voices”, which we hear in Opera singers and some of the best loved pop singers of our era. Then there are others with a lighter, more bell-like voice, as we’ve heard in vocalists such as Charlotte Church, and Sarah Brightman. This does not mean they can’t sing operatic songs; both of them do so very beautifully. Their careers don’t center on the heavy, dramatic sound needed for Opera. Celine Dion has sung difficult Italian Arias, however it is not the primary style of music she chooses to perform. Instead, she has made a career singing in a style she prefers and is most comfortable with, giving her songs a more "Pop" sound, which has been a great career decision.

This is where my experience and training comes in. Whether someone wants to sing purely for their own enjoyment, or they want to sing professionally, it is my job to give them the vital techniques to ensure they sing correctly. Singing should be effortless and pleasurable, without having to strain in any way. Singing “naturally” is the best approach. My commitment to facilitate the evolution of this process is through consistent, proper training. This training takes a real commitment on the part of both my students and myself. The format their lessons take is as follows:

1. One lesson per week. (Consistency is very important)

2. Daily practicing which promotes musical growth.

3. Students receive personalized guidance on the best techniques while singing or playing guitar. (Focusing on “singing & playing with natural ease).

4. Learning how to relax and open up in order to get the best results.

5. Working on and perfecting the songs each student chooses to sing or play.

6. Coaching with “on stage” skills, which help conquer performance anxiety.

My experience as a singer began in junior high school. I sang and played guitar, eventually going on to study privately. Later I went on to a university where I received my B.A. degree. During the course of my studies I sang professionally, toured Europe and worked as a studio session musician. I have had experience in singing all styles of music, from Opera to Rock, Pop, Country, Celtic, Gospel, Broadway, and Folk.

I have studied both the Suzuki and Orf Method of music for children. For a year I had the privilege of Conducting an Elementary School Choir. From 2003-2006 I taught Vocal and Guitar lessons at the local YMCA. There are numerous Recitals I've put on each year, preparing my students to perform in all the local Musical venues. Some of these have been for School Music Programs, CYT, Coast Kids, The Starlight Theatre Productions, Escondido Center for The Performing Arts, La Jolla Children's and Adult Choirs, preparation for College Choral groups, and all other styles and genres of Music, from Rock to Pop.

My specialty is teaching good Vocal & Acoustic Guitar Techniques to students of all ages, so they are able to achieve the best possible enjoyment of singing and playing "Easily and Naturally".

I also specialize in working with young children. They're delightful and learn so quickly and easily. I use the suzuki method and also the Orf method of music for children. I've also had a lot of experience with Tutoring others in Elementary and High School English and Creative Writing as well.

CSU Chico, Ca. 95926 - Vocal Performance & English - 1988-1996
Las Lomas High - G.E. & Performing Arts - 1967-1970

Vocal Performance & Technique for all styles of Music, voice, singing, Beginning Acoustic Guitar, songwriting, recording

Before Susan's help, I sung by staying within what limits I felt were around me.  It is a well known mantra, though, that singing is about breaking out of all shells and filling a space, and so Susan was proactive about helping me toss aside vocal limits concerning my range and tone.  I learned a great deal from her voice, her instruction, and her personality while singing, and I most definitely attribute my acceptance into the top UCLA choral group as well as the campus’s leading a capella group to her help!

-         

Russell Angelico, 19 yrs. Old        Fall 2007