Donna B. TakeLessons Instructor opera voice, voice, singing, music theory, Italian 26th Avenue, San Francisco, CA

DONNA B., mezzo-soprano, has sung Opera, Concerts and Recitals all over the world. In the US, her performances have included San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Symphony, Dallas Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Music of the Baroque in Chicago, San Diego Symphony, Virginia Symphony, Kentucky Opera, Utah Opera and Portland Opera. In recital, she has been heard nationwide in a recital for National Public Radio, on the Dame Myra Hess series in Chicago, and on the Schwabacher Recital Series in San Francisco. Her recording of Corpus Evita , by Carlos Franzetti, has been nominated this year for a Grammy Award. Miss B. is a specialist in the music of Mozart, Handel, Rossini and in the orchestral music of Mahler. A graduate of the University of Illinois in Urbana, IL, she holds a Master of Music degree in Voice, and undergraduate degrees in Music Performance and Music Education from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL. Aside from her 25 years as a working professional singer, Miss B. also maintains an active Voice studio, and tutors students in Music Theory, too.

I love to sing, and as you can see from my Biography, I'm very actice. In addition, I have been teaching private Voice for over 15 years, to students of all levels, ages 16 and above. I love the one-on-one experience of helping students realize their full potential, developing healthy singing technique, making the most of their natural abilities AND, I can also help the singer who comes to me with bad habits or vocal damage.

To me, each singer is an individual and I welcome the opportunity to design an individualized course of study for each one. I stress breathing and support, clear and free production of sound and a relaxed, colorful tone. I have also been teaching General Music to Kindergarten through 8th Graders and have a child of my own, so I think I understand how young students learn best and how they think.

Lessons begin with vocalizing on single, sustained notes.  Technical issues are raised and monitored, as is breath support and control.  Next, the student sings an arpeggio, appropriate to his/her level.  The final part of the warm-up is scales, again, appropriate to the student's level.  If the student is advanced enough, we then proceed to repertory.  If not, we work on exercises by Vaccai, Concone or Marchesi until such time as the technique is solid enough to proceed to repertory. 

Bel canto technique, freedom from tension, clear vowels, deep breath support. I am positive, patient and creative in trying to help each student reach his/her full potential, while maintaining the highest artistic standards.

opera voice, voice, singing, music theory, Italian

Maestro Jeffrey Goldberg, Assistant Conductor, Metropolitan Opera
(New York)
Scott Gilmore, coach/accompanist, Chicago Opera Theatre, Roosevelt
University (Chicago)
Daniel Lockert, coach/accompanist, San Francisco Bay Area