Richard - Teacher #3311

Instruments:
- Voice

Languages:
- English

Teaching Philosophy

When it comes to teaching, I believe in positive reinforcement and endless optimism. I do not believe that the arts are a place for tough love; pursuing your passion should only ever be rewarding.

When it comes to voice, I feel that proper technique is appropriate for any genre or style. The singer of a post-punk group will benefit from proper technique as much as an opera singer, if not more. My training focuses on opening your airways, breath control, and getting yourself in tune with your body, so that you can understand the important of proper technique; many teachers fail to teach the "why" of their methods, and I think that's a major failing.


Musical Education

I have a Master of Music in Vocal Performance, with a concentration in Music Theater, from NYU Steinhardt. From a young age I've enjoyed acting, and in high school I discovered that I can and steadily became more entrenched in the world of musical theatre. For my undergraduate education, I earned a BA in Drama from Queen's University, where I performed in many musicals, and then was accepted into NYU Steinhardt for my graduate studies. While there, my training was in the operatic tradition, focusing on breath control, air flow, and vocal care.

At NYU, my vocal professor was Michael Ricciardone, a Julliard-trained musician who has worked widely as a pianist, actor, singer, and conductor. I also had the pleasure of studying under many professionals working on and around Broadway.

Special Skills and Training

Though my post-graduate education was a Master of Music, my education at NYU also included many classes on acting, primarily in Meisner technique. As a trained actor, especially in acting through song, I can also help prospective actors to bring their songs alive through proper study of context and motivation. Along with being a vocalist, I am also a skilled guitarist, specializing in acoustic finger-style playing. I'm just as, if not more, comfortable accompanying a singer on guitar as I am piano.

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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