Geoffrey - Teacher #2175

Instruments:
- Voice

Services:
- Ear Training
- Music Theory (Beginner-Intermediate)

Languages:
- English

Teaching Philosophy

I believe anyone can improve their singing with the right teacher and right approach. Every person has a different voice and learning style, so each person requires their own personalized form of vocal instruction in order to improve. Over the past several years, I have had the pleasure of teaching students of all ages and a wide variety of musical backgrounds, and I can say with confidence that I am proficient and experienced at tailoring each student’s lessons to suit their needs efficiently and effectively. //

I am a strong believer that people sing best when they work on music that inspires them. This includes songs across all genres; although I am a classical singer professionally, I have taught a variety of styles to my students including musical theater, jazz, and blues. Regardless of style, strong technical foundations are important to singing well, so I teach classical foundations that are applicable to any type of vocal music. //

My teaching has been greatly informed by my musical upbringing. I began my studies as a cellist, and I later started studying voice through my love of singing in musicals and choirs which eventually led to my discovery and passion for opera. I continued my musical education at University of British Columbia (M. MUS, B. MUS), and I supplemented these studies with programs in Italy, Germany and the Czech Republic. All of this training together has given me a strong understanding of vocal technique, musicality, musicianship, languages, and repertoire. Additionally, I have sung professionally with a number of companies in North America, including Calgary Opera, Vancouver Opera, and Portland Opera. These professional experiences have also further honed my abilities as an interpreter of text, which also allows me to teach students techniques in stage performance, text analysis, and acting.

Musical Education

Apprentice Programs:
- Atelier lyrique de l'Opera de Montreal (2020-2022)
- Portland Opera Resident Artist Program (2018-2020)
- Calgary Opera Emerging Artist Development Program (2017-2018)
- Music Academy of the West (2017) //

University of British Columbia:
- Master of Music in Opera Performance (2017)
- Bachelor of Music in Opera Performance (2015)

Awards and Distinctions

Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions
- District Winner (2020, 2019, and 2015) //

Canadian Opera Company Centre Stage Competition
- Third Prize (2016) //

University of British Columbia
- Director's Graduation Prize for Leadership in Voice Performance (2017)
- Fenyo Prize in Music (2017)
- Edwina Heller Memorial Award in Opera (2015-2017)

Special Skills and Training

I am a professional opera singer and have worked as a soloist for many Canadian opera houses, including Vancouver Opera and Pacific Opera Victoria. I have also worked as a young artist with Opéra de Montréal, Portland Opera, and Calgary Opera, which allowed me to study with a number of remarkable voice teachers, conductors, and directors while also giving me professional stage experience. I hold a M. MUS and a B. MUS in opera performance from the University of British Columbia and I have also completed additional opera training programs in the United States, Italy, Germany, and the Czech Republic.

Rates

30 Minutes: $39.00
45 Minutes: $49.00
60 Minutes: $59.00

There is a one-time registration fee of 25 $ charged with the first lessons. All Taxes are included in prices, if applicable

NOTE: Your Credit card will be charged ONLY when the first lesson is set up and confirmed with the teacher

Policies


1. Cancellation Policy

Lessons not cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours notice are billable to the client and payable to the teacher. This does not of course apply to travel fees unless the notice is effectively given at the door and the teacher has travelled to the location.

2. Cessation (quitting) Policy

A client must provide a 2 lesson notice period to stop lessons. So a weekly student needs to give 2 weeks of notice, a biweekly student works out to 3 weeks notice and a twice weekly student works out to a week of notice.

3. Illness Policy

Lessons cancelled due to illness or extraordinary circumstances with less than 24 hours notice remain billable to the client and payable to the teacher.

BAH teachers are encouraged to offer a make-up lesson at a future date in the interest of client relations and general goodwill. This only makes sense as teaching a student with the flu for example, will ruin the rest of your week's employment.

No more than 2 lessons may be made up due to illness within a 60 day period.

4. Rescheduling Policy

Any lesson can be cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours notice.

Summer Vacation and Extended Absence Policy

Clients may schedule longer absences for trips etc. 24 hours notice is required.

It is normal and typical for students and about 20% of our teachers to schedule a break in the summer. We do not enforce a notice period (see cessation of lessons) at the end of a long summer break.

5. Evaluation Period

There are no free trial lessons with Beethoven at Home but we do offer a 2 lesson evaluation period where it is easy to try out a teacher. There are no free lessons during the evaluation period and clients may choose to discontinue the lessons at any time by providing the required 24 hours notice. After the student's 3rd lesson the required 2 lesson notice period will apply (see cessation of lessons above).

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