lessons from an experienced, knowledgeable,
​fun and considerate teacher
in-person on the lower east side of nyc, or online via zoom​
easily accessible location via F, J, m & z lines or m15 bus--contact via email at [email protected]

VOCATION STATEMENT
 
I believe that variety is the spice of not only life, but also music. I grew up singing folk music with a musical family (think accordions, guitars and lots of vocal harmonies.) I learned guitar and piano at an early age and began singing even earlier. My quest to give the world the best my vocal cords could offer led me to obtain an undergraduate degree in vocal performance from the University of Nebraska (where I graduated honorable mention, named with the vocal department’s Outstanding Senior in Music award, and also obtained a minor in theatre) and a master’s degree in music from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Both of these degrees emphasized classical singing technique, and through this study I gained a solid foundation for my musical craft.
 
Once out of school, I then sought to begin creating MY music and MY sound, a challenge which continues to manifest itself even today in a variety of ways. I am now a singer/songwriter and I perform often with my own band in which I sing, play guitar, write my own songs and arrange intricate backup harmonies and multiple instrumentation. A variety of influences are apparent in my music, including the musical genres of folk, pop, rock and, yes, even hip hop. I have recorded multiple albums of my music and I play in esteemed venues in NYC. I also sing as a professional cantor/ensemble member at Holy Cross/St. John the Baptist churches in Manhattan, and I teach private voice, guitar and piano lessons in the city. For a time I served as the general music teacher for St. Dominic’s School in the Bronx where I was responsible for Pre-K through 8th grade musical classes and, true to form, I am often called upon in a multitude of situations to perform in a variety of musical genres. I am always pleased with the ever-changing musical scenery around me!
 
***Lesson Details***A lesson with Kathy equals half of the allotted time being used to learn good technique (i.e., learning healthy vocal habits, singing vocalises, learning to read music, playing scales, etc.) and the other half of the time singing and player repertoire. The repertoire includes both pieces chosen by Kathy (always approved by the student) which excite and inspire the student’s particular musical tastes while providing a new challenge in technique to be conquered, and also pieces brought in by the student; for example, if a student is working on music for a specific performance, etc., or if they just really like a piece and want to learn how to play or sing it, I am always ready and willing to lend a hand and an ear! Vocally, I believe good basic technique is the same for every genre of music. Therefore, great emphasis is placed on learning to breathe and support your sound correctly, as well as maintain good posture, rid your body of unwanted tensions, etc.; musical styles beyond that basic technique change only in small stylistic ways, and I am knowledgeable in quite a variety of most musical styles. With guitar, I focus on learning to read and play musical notation and chords without using guitar tablature. Again, a variety of musical styles are used for instruction, including everything from classical to punk! And with piano, I focus on learning to read and play musical notations as well as mastering scales and chord progressions, inversions, etc. I love opportunities to combine voice lessons with guitar lessons, or voice lessons with piano lessons, as one instrument feeds into the other in interesting and helpful ways.
 
***Specialties***all-levels voice, beginning guitar, beginning piano—I specialize in a classical voice method, which I believe is a good foundation for all styles of singing. I have experience with classical singing, music theatre (I have a minor from my undergraduate education in Theatre) pop, rock and folk. I’m an experienced songwriter and am able to guide students in that area. I teach notes and chords for my guitar students; I don’t teach guitar tablature. Instead, I teach basic guitar music on the staff. Also, I teach beginning piano, including basic music theory note spelling, etc.

Reviews from Students

--affordable rates. please email [email protected] with questions!--

"Without music, life would be a mistake." --Friedrich Nietzsche

Here are examples of my own classical and choral singing. For examples of my singer/songwriter band recordings, visit the "Listen" or "Home" pages in the toolbar above.