A BIT ABOUT ME
Lydia Pope, BME, MAE, Voice Instructor
I love my time in the studio and I love my students. It's that simple. I have been told that my energy is boundless and this definitely comes through in lessons. We definitely have some fun, kooky times in lessons, and we also have high expectations. I want to give my students every advantage, and I get SO excited when I see them growing as musicians and becoming more confident as performers and people!
There is no substitute for experience. I have an undergrad in vocal music education and a master of music education. I directed musicals, various productions, and choirs for 20 years, so I am a bit of an expert on helping people show their best self at an audition. 20 years of teaching singers, dancers and actors and ten years of concurrent performance experience makes me confident that I really know my stuff when it comes to teaching singing and performing. Over my 20 plus years of making music, producing music groups and albums, and directing shows, I have made a great deal of musical connections and now have a vast network of musicians. I love to put those working musicians in contact with each other to create a greater artistic circle. Many of my former students received full or partial ride scholarships to excellent music and performance colleges and are now performing. If you are searching for someone who will know the best way to get you from where you are as a singer to where you want to be, I'm your teacher. If you're looking for someone to connect or create a music group, I'm the perfect advocate.
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I turned and smiled and Mort Schuman took his shot! Pretty good for a quick pic, huh?
I enjoy getting to be the villain! but only on stage!
Mike took my pic at the train museum with his phone.
He was adorable!
How Can Love Survive?
ALL ABOUT STEPHANIE SCHMIDT
A Natural Instructor
I come from a diverse musical background from contemporary to classical to musical theatre. In addition to having a bachelor’s degree in classical vocal performance, I have studied classical piano most of my life. I have performed in various roles musically as vocalist, musical director, pianist, accompanist, and chamber musician, which allows me to bring more than one perspective to the table.
When my students sing, I want their voice to feel healthy, free, and easy. I teach a lot through imagery. While understanding the vocal anatomy is crucial in the learning process, I like to teach mostly through imagery as to avoid adding any extra tension, as well as to keep learning to sing as natural as possible. I like to keep it simple while simultaneously working their rear ends off! I’ve found that my route is the longer path, but in the end the best way to build the foundations of singing - I am all about the breath!!! In addition to technique, I like to encourage all students to be the most well rounded musicians they can. I try to tie in music theory and history whenever I can; even simple things like author of the text and when the song was written, or even notation. I love helping students learn to sing and enjoy what they do. Singing with me is like going to the gym for your voice – you get out of it what you put in!