Melissa E. TakeLessons Instructor voice, singing, performance, beginner music theory, music business Nashville, TN

Biography

Fusing her passion for singing with her love for teaching, Melissa takes a multi-dimensional approach to vocal coaching and consulting.  With over 18 years experience as a teacher, singer, and performer, she will objectively focus on and help you overcome obstacles that hinder you from realizing your full potential.

        "My voice opened like never before.”
        Former President of Georgia Music Industry Association/ NSAI, Atlanta
        - Loretta Martin, Songplugger

Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or professional singer, and whether you sing rock, pop, r & b, country, etc, Melissa will create a tailor-made plan of study to perfectly suit your talent level and help you achieve your personal goals.

“... I possess a confidence now that has come to me through singing and has ultimately affected every aspect of my life: relationally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.”
- Kat, artist

Along with addressing standard fundamental singing techniques like breath support, range, tone quality, projection, proper practice techniques, and vocal health and maintenance, Melissa has the experience to assist her students with style development, performance and delivery. She has shared the stage with major recording artists Toni Braxton, Caron Wheeler, India Arie and Geoff McBride.  She has performed at countless corporate events, wedding receptions, and nightclubs over the years and has released and promoted 2 full length CD’s of her own. 

Lastly, another benefit of having Melissa as your vocal coach is her vast knowledge of and continued involvement in the music business.  Melissa was one of only six delegates chosen to represent the Recording Academy as a music industry panelist at the first ever Grammy Conference in Beijing, China, 2004. She is a proud active voting member of the Recording Academy, NARAS*, as well as SHOF*/ NAPM*, NFAA*, and ASCAP*.  She has received awards for her teaching and songwriting and co managed a booking agency.  All of which allows her to educate her students regarding the general ‘how to’ of making a living in the music industry.

“No one has ever given me advice or set me up in the right direction before like this, but it's the best thing I've ever done for myself in respect to my singing.  I feel really optimistic that music is going to finally have an important place in my life!   Thanks!”
- Maria

In the crowded, highly competitive recording industry of today,  Melissa can help you stand out by unlocking the unique voice only you possess.

“I would recommend her (Melissa) to anyone who takes voice seriously and truly wants a master to show them the way.”
- Ryan

*NARAS National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
*SHOF/ NAPM Songwriters Hall of Fame/ National Association of Performing Musicians
*NFAA National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts
*ASCAP Association of Songwriters, Composers, Authors and Publishers

Aside from teaching the standard fundamental singing techniques, Melissa offers her clients these other benefits:
   Style development – be the best at who you are, the music you enjoy, the sounds that are most natural to you, and then develop your uniqueness
   Performance and delivery – how to make the point, how to present yourself and your songs, mic technique, working with a band
   Music Business Education – copyrighting, publishing, recording demos and full length CD’s, internet promotion and sales, finding the right resources, booking gigs, what to do next

Private Lessons are available to anyone from beginner to professional,  age 10 and older.  Lessons are taught at my home studio in Nashville, Tennessee.  Students bring music on CD (Karaoke) for their lessons.  Under certain circumstances, students may use their original material or can accompany themselves on guitar.  I work with all genres of contemporary music.  I do not teach classical voice, nor are my lessons formal.  I use a Pro Tools rig to record my students for learning purposes only, NOT for demos.   Often there is a good deal of music business information that gets tossed into my lessons as well.  The emphasis is that the lessons are tailor-made to each student according to their needs, wants and goals. 

Rock, pop, r&b, blues, country

voice, singing, performance, beginner music theory, music business