Vocal Program Faculty

One of the most exciting things about working with singers is that every voice is completely unique, there are no two alike. I assist students in developing their authentic sound and style, while remaining true to the elements that define jazz. Working with a band, developing creativity and exploring phrasing, with an emphasis on improvisation, is the focus of my classes. 
— Laurie Antonioli, Director, Jazzschool Vocal Program www.laurieantonioli.com

It always amazes me how the voice is like the student’s “hidden treasure,” regardless of a person’s appearance, size, background, etc. We are all blessed with that unique “hidden treasure” which is our own voice ready to be discovered and improved. 
— Edgardo Cambón  www.musicandela.com

Key to a good performance is preparation. In my classes I emphasize all aspects of performance preparation from finding and developing repertoire, learning and mastering material, encouraging and expanding musicality, writing and understanding good charts, effective communication with the audience and clear and confident bandleading. I believe in creating a supportive  and structured environment that is fun and rewarding. 
— Maye Cavallaro   www.teachingjazz.com

My goal as an educator is to help singers develop the tools — technical, musicianship, interpretive, melodic and rhythmic — to find their own unique creative musical voice.
— Sandy Cressman  www.sandycressman.com

Working with young people is fantastic because they are still finding themselves. I sing rock, soul, blues, jazz, and hip-hop. I love all kinds of music, and am interested in finding out what the student feels most compelled to sing, and helping them achieve that. 
— Kyra Gordon  www.kyragordon.me

Sharing my passion and love of music along with the creative spirit that lies within the jazz genre brings me joy. My success as an educator is when I have inspired someone to reach a goal, find purpose or achieve self-awareness.
— Ellen Johnson  www.ellenjohnson.net

Assisting a singer, or anyone, to connect with their authentic truth and not some made up version of what they think they are supposed to be or sound like lies at the core of my teaching philosophy. It takes great courage to get to the truth and create from your truth, but it’s that truth that separates one from the next. That separation is where art and creation live. Once found, it will never be forgotten and will always be at your creative disposal.
— Kellye Gray  www.kellyegray.com

In my class, students learn the tools that enable them to perform theirchoice of music in front of any audience. It gives me great pleasure to know that I can be a part of students growth and development in an area that I am very passionate about. — Frankye Kelly  www.frankyekelly.com

I think of singing as the use of speech in a more ornate and animated manner. I see singing as a tool to communcate emotions, imaginings, thoughts, etc, as well as a device for storytelling by making use of the range of vocal tonal colors, the range of notes the voice can produce, the ways of playing with time, employing louder & softer vocal volumes, etc. given the many ways feelings are experienced and expressed through the singing voice, my goal has been to explore and discover the underlying principles to the many styles of singing & the techniques which support them. My mission as a teacher is to assist singers in acquiring the skills to sing in whatever style, dynamic, character, genre, tone, etc. that they choose to sing by acquiring the knowledge and application of these underlying principles.
— Raz Kennedy

I try to make the students feel right at home from the start as though they had been listening to that music all their lives, breaking any language or cultural barrier. That way we can immerse ourselves fully into each song, with their fascinating stories, lyrics, rhythms and melodies. 
— Maria Marquez  www.mariamarquez.com

Singing is primal for me and I count teaching someone how to sing as a great privilege. We all have voices waiting to emerge and it’s my job to guide a person’s voice to do exactly that. Once the voice develops strength and flexibility, all styles are achievable — the sky’s the limit.  — Joyce Pricco

Singers only get to be better singers by going out there and singing in public! Yet so many of us are hampered by not knowing the nuts and bolts of how to walk up to a band, explain in a few words what you want, and then count off, direct and end the song, while feeling free to improvise with the musicians. I love the blues because it’s the easiest format to gain this sort of  essential skill — and get out there and SING!  — Pamela Rose     www.pamelarose.com

I can’t imagine a life without song, as singing has been my life’s path. I love to share with others how to make singing a joyful experience for themselves as well as for the listener.  — Faith Winthrop  www.faithwinthrop.com