Sophia - Teacher #4304

Instruments:
- Voice

Services:
- Ear Training
- Harmony
- Jazz Improvation
- Music Appreciation
- Music Theory (Beginner-Intermediate)
- Solfege

Languages:
- English

Teaching Philosophy

To me, music is what life is all about. Sharing the love of music is one of the most fundamental aspects of the human experience in my eyes. Teaching students how to use their voices to express themselves musically is one of the most important things I can do. My approach to vocal coaching is psychosomatic. To sing, we must be in tune with our bodies, focusing on the feeling of singing rather than pitch accuracy at first. I factor in vocal anatomy and structure when recommending exercises, teaching students to notice how breathing and mindfulness can be incorporated to unlock their voice's full potential.

At the end of the day, my goal is to equip students with the tools they need to sing the way they want to, sustainably and with feeling. I strive to take a student-led approach to developing repertoire and work with students to set and achieve their goals.



Musical Education

I am currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in creative writing with a minor in honours vocal performance, but I previously majored in vocal performance with a minor in theatre studies. My studies have included jazz, improvisational, theatre, and rhythm & blues styles of music. I started taking vocal lessons at age 14 at the Oakville School of Music and Performing Arts due to my love for musical theatre. The joy I felt when singing led me to want to learn how to use my voice to its healthiest potential. Since then, I have studied under many different teachers from various musical backgrounds to accommodate my wide range of musical influences. This has equipped me with the skills to support students of different skill levels and musical tastes.

Special Skills and Training

I was raised in a musical household, with both parents constantly singing and playing music around the house, I developed my musical ear early on. I started piano lessons at age six, and worked through the first six RCM theory and ear training levels before deciding to stop in favour of taking an approach to learning music that felt more intuitive. I started vocal lessons at the Oakville School of Music, where I also took piano lessons, at age 14 when I discovered my love for musical theatre. From there, I was trained in theatre vocal techniques, eventually landing the lead role of Veronica Sawyer in Innovative Arts Oakville's 2021 production of Heathers the Musical when I was in the twelfth grade. Since beginning as a vocal major at the University of Guelph I have undertaken many musical endeavours such as: Vocally directing Curtain Call Productions 2023/4 production of Legally Blonde the Musical, singing with Guelph based rock band Lost in Red at GAINfest 2024, providing bass stylings and vocals for the band Strwbrry Jam in Guelph. These experiences, coupled with my ongoing post-secondary education give me a well rounded teaching perspective, suitable for working with students of all ages and skill levels!

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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