Laura V. TakeLessons Instructor music, voice, singing, piano Huntington Beach, CA

For the last eight years, Laura has been training students from different musical backgrounds and styles in Switzerland and USA. She has successfully coached students for Musical Theatre Auditions, School Talent Shows, Competitions and Band Concerts.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina to a diverse and multicultural environment, she studied singing, guitar, dance and theatre. Obtained roles in theatre productions and toured throughout Argentina.Then she went on to complete a degree in Music Instruction and Performance at the Conservatory of Music in Basel, Switzerland, majoring in Vocal Jazz and Music Instruction. She also studied Broadway and belting techniques by Kathleen Michaels and attended several workshops and master classes in Europe and US by top vocal coaches (Sheila Jordan, Jay Clayton, Jeanne Lee, etc). Laura toured extensively throughout Europe performing as both a soloist and group member in Brazilian, jazz, tango and flamenco projects, including large events in France and Germany, Music Festivals, Clubs and live radio shows (France Musique, 1997) As well, she has collaborated on songwriting projects such as the album Big Band from Biobonsai.

Since 2002 in California LAURA has performed in LA and OC Jazz Clubs with her fusion of latin and Jazz Quartet and participated in the IV Carlos Gardel Tango Festival Los Angeles 2005. Her debut CD "Perlas" is a collaborative effort with top musicians, songwriters and composers from Argentina, France, Switzerland and USA. She creates exotic fusions like cumbia lounge, candombe soul, Argentinean folk- jazz and acoustic drum & bass inspired grooves, bringing together South American roots and North American culture in her songwriting. Smooth, soulful, full of rich instrumental layers and moods, this album is a work of global projection sung by Laura in Spanish and English.

I develop individual programs based on your specific goals and interests. These can vary from voice building, voice rehabilitation, style development, auditioning, comping yourself in the piano, performance preparation, auditions, personal phrasing, exploration of various music genres, jazz improvisation, sight reading, ear training and rhythm training.

I plan the sessions in order to prepare you for the challenges of the songs you are working on and guide you to grow as a singer/musician/performer. You bring the songs (CD, Mp3 player, sheet music, lyrics) and  I also might suggest songs that I believe will help you grow vocally.

I will provide you with material to work at home. Fell free to bring a recorder or video camera to tape the sessions. Everybody's voice is different and needs different exercises, that's why it is almost impossible to have one CD that would work for everybody. As far as vocal technique, there are basics like diaphragmatic breathing, use of resonances, one range, project without vocal strain but while you may need to work on more projection or range extension, others might need work on pitch, range blending, belt or scream without strain.

If you feel you have absolute no pitch or good rhythm but still love singing and you are willing to invest regular practice time, go ahead and follow your dream. There is room for improvement, I can guarantee.

I love working with children too. My vocal programs for young students combine a broad spectrum of musical influences, piano playing, games, improvisation, acting and sight reading. Children learn to sing developing a healthy vocal  technique, they learn songs from different styles and cultures, music fundamentals, musical theatre auditioning or songwriting.

Customized CD with warm ups and exercises available for regular students free of charge.

Musical Theatre, jazz, rock, pop, blues, alternative, rock, country, Brazilian, Latin, classical. Songwriting, music theory, ear training, improvisation, sight reading, acting, piano.

Art School La barraca, Buenos Aires, Argentina - Acting - march 1983 - nov 1986
Liceo Nr 9 Santiago Derqui, Buenos Aires, Argentina - Bachiller - march 1978 - december 1982
Conservatory of Music Basel, Switzerland - Vocal jazz, piano - sept 1997 - sept 2002

music, voice, singing, piano

"My 8 year old daughter Taylor has been singing since she was 5 years old. It wasn't until she started taking vocal lessons with Laura that she began to advance with significant improvment. Taylor is much more confident now, especially singing if front of an audience. Laura's unique style of teaching allows my daughter to enjoy singing while learning".8/2006 Don Aragon, Huntington Beach California

Baden-Wettingen Newspaper, Switzerland 12/27/2001 Music in Baden: "Tonic Strings Vocal Lady Laura convinced with her tuned exquisite voice during this impressive last concert in Pavillon"

 Mittelbadische Presse, Germany 11-19-1999 "Aldebaran was the revelation of the Korker Music Week... Laura with her voice made for the Tango and Rudi Meier with brilliant accordion Music. Die Audience was fascinated with their Tango and Latin -Jazz program."