Berkeley Parents Network: Voice Teachers

Berkeley Parents Network

Voice Teachers

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Classes & Lessons > Music Lessons > Voice Teachers

Lamorinda voice teacher for 12-year-old
Piano and voice coach for 15-year-old son
Voice teacher for 15-year-old girl
Singing lessons for a teen
Voice and guitar teacher for 11 year old beginner
Voice lessons for 12 year-old drama enthusiast
Beginning voice teacher for high school student
Voice lessons in SF for an adult
Lessons for an adult who sings badly
More recommendations

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Lamorinda voice teacher for 12-year-old

March 2007

Can anybody recommend a voice teacher for a 12 year old girl (and also for an adult, as I may do this also!)?? I live in the Lamorinda area, and would like to stay within a half hour drive. Many thanks!

I can highly recommend my wonderful voice teacher, Phoebe Sorgen (528-9428), who lives in Berkeley. She's a very supportive, experienced teacher, with a wide range of techniques. She is with familiar with many styles of singing, although we have been concentrating on opera for several years. She works well with teens, also. And she herself has a beautiful voice, which adds to my enjoyment of our work together! A very satisfied student ------------------------------------------- I was referred to Ruth Onstadt in Lafayette by the mother of a girl (now in college) with an incredible voice. My child lost interest, so I never called her, but she came highly recommended. I was told that she does a great job explaining to students how to breathe, etc. so they don't hurt their voices. Her phone number is 253-0929 and her e- mail address is onstadt[at]aol.com Mom of teen in Contra Costa Co.

Piano and voice coach for 15-year-old son

Oct 2006

My 15 year old son is interested in taking voice and piano lessons to enhance his future career as a rock musician! He took piano lessons a few years ago, so has some piano background, but would like more keyboard training. He plays guitar, writes and composes songs, and would like voice training. Any suggestions in North Berkeley? This can be the same teacher or different ones. Preferably, we'd like lessons at home, but this is not a requirement.Any suggestions? musical mom musical mom

Ellen Hoffman is a FABULOUS piano teacher and voice coach. Especially that your son likes to write music...Ellen is patient, REALLY FUN and sparks the creativeness in people. She doesn't teach voice technique as much as performance coaching....best key, stance, projection, attitude, etc. Ellen is also director of the Berkeley Broadway Singers choral group, writes music, directs, teaches, etc. Her e-mail is ellenlouisehoffman[at]sbcglobal.net She's on Cornell and Hopkins in. Bkly. Have fun June

I would recommend Bryan Dyer as a voice and piano coach. He is an amazing human being and would be a wonderful influence in any teenager's life. He can also connect students with other talented young teens around the Bay Area through Young Performers International, as well as offer extraordinary opportunities for public performance in venues such as Yoshi's Jazz Club in Oakland, Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco, and for Bread&Roses in Marin. You can reach Bryan at ypimusic[at]yahoo.com, see pictures of him working with teens at www.youngperformersintl.org, or find out more about his life as a professional musician at www.sovoso.com. leela

Voice teacher for 15-year-old girl

Sept 2006

Looking for a voice teacher for 15-year old girl. Pop, rock, theater preferred. Want someone who enjoys young people and is good with relationships, interested in mentoring. We already know about the jazz school. Diana

I would recommend Sunshine Becker. A highly accomplished musician in her own right (Sunshine sings with SoVoSo, a well-known Bay Area vocal band that is a spin-off Bobby McFerrin's Voicestra), Sunshine is warm, vibrant, knowledgeable, and a gifted teacher. She cares deeply about her students, understands young people, and the progress I have seen her students make in just one year of study is positively jaw-dropping. In addition, Sunshine will be able to connect your daughter to a whole network of young musicians her age, and provide opportunities to perform in prestigious Bay Area venues including Yoshi's, San Francisco City Hall, and for Bread&Roses in Marin. Your daughter can try out a lesson before signing up for a whole series to see if it is a good match. You can contact Sunshine at 510.507.SONG or at www.sovoso.com Leela

Singing lessons for a teen

Sept 2005

I am looking for a singing teacher for my 15 year old daughter who is an actress and very interested in musical theater. My daughter has an okay voice, but not a great range. She needs someone who is okay teaching someone who is new to voice lessons, open to teaching someone at a beginning level, and likes musical theater. We live in Montclair, and I'd love it if it could be someone not too far away. Any suggestions? Barbara

My son's piano teacher (Heather Ross: hrmusiclessons AT aol.com) also gives singing lessons. I know that she has several young students (voice and piano) as well as adults students, and I think that she has performed in musical theatre herself. As a piano teacher, I find her to be quite patient, encouraging and sensitive to my sons interests and pace of learning. She lives in Berkeley, teaches from her home but will also teach at the student's home, too. I highly recommend her. Good luck! Ruth

Try Melanie O'Reilly, who teaches out of Harmony Road Music School at Piedmont Piano Company. She is great with teens, and very strong in musical theater. You can get referred to her by calling the Music School office at 510- 652-1222. Kathy

You might try Erika Lee-Uribe Phone: 530-0842... she has taught our daughter piano for 7 years but also teaches voice. She is a skilled teacher and musician with her degree in teaching music. She is young and enthusiastic and wants all the kids to enjoy the music in their own way. Located in the Mormon Temple Area which is close to Montclair. Tell her JM Drew referred you.

Voice lessons for 12 year-old drama enthusiast

Feb 2005

Hi, I'm looking for voice coaching for my daughter, who loves drama. She's very good with gestures, dancing, and facial expression, but could use and says that she would like some work with her voice - singing, projecting, diction. We're open to group and private lessons - the main thing is that the teacher be both skilled and fun. Thanks.

I bet Judy Whiting would be a good match for your daughter. She's run the ''Broadway Babies'' program at CCCT for years. She's sung on Broadway, I think. She teaches private lessons. Her number is 787-2504. Mother of a drama queen

I highly recommend Regina Pontillo for anyone with a dramatic bent seeking voice lessons. My 11-year-old daughter has been doing voice lessons with her--they've been working together for 3 years now--and they work on dramatic aspects as well. Regina is fun, experienced, and multi-talented. She has a beautiful voice, is good at helping kids develop their own voice, and she's great at dramatic and performance arts. Her number is 486-0681. Sara

joey blake, co-founder of oakland's premier a cappella group SoVoSo (from the soul to the voice to the song) and member of bobby mcferrin's voicestra, meets with a few talented 12 year old girls on thursdays at his oakland studio. it is by audition and kids come from as far away as novato to be part of this experience, as joey is a gifted teacher. students who are in this class have performed with the YPI KIDS in golden gate park, yerba buena gardens and slim's in san francisco; for bread & roses in marin; and at yoshi's in oakland. for audition information, please call 415 420 2960, or email ypi2000[at]earthlink.net. for information about upcoming YPI KIDS performances or the ypi summer music camp, please go to www.youngperformersintl.org Leela

Beginning voice teacher for high school student

Mar 2004

Seeking recommendations for a good beginning voice teacher for my daughter, a High School student. We are looking first for an enthusiastic teacher who can teach singing and secondly someone versed in a-capella technique and repertoire, and could possibly instruct a girls a-capella group. Kensington/Berkeley area preferable.

My 13-yr-old daughter recently began voice lessons at the Berkeley Rep Theatre School. Her teacher is Joanne Seelig, who she absolutely loves. Joanne's speciality is musical theatre, but she offered to other types of music if that is what we wanted. She can be contacted at: ''Joanne M. Seelig'' jseelig AT berkeleyrep.org Marcia

I would like to highly, highly recommend a fabulous piano and voice teacher, Ellen Hoffman. Amongst many things, Ellen is director of the Berkeley Broadway Singers choral group, arranges music, composes, directs various other musical groups and teaches privately. She is a brilliant, talented musician, an absolutely fabulous, fun and patient teacher and an wonderfully kind and great person to boot. Ellen happens to have some openings right now for new students in either piano or voice, or both, younger or older, beginning or more advanced. I can't more highly recommend her. Her e-mail is ellenhoff AT aol.com, her phone number is 524-6220. June

Laura Kakis Serper directs a small high school girls a capella group called Kalones (Greek for ''Beauties''), as part of the Kairos Youth Choir. She is a wonderful teacher. Call 486-8776. Natasha

Voice lessons in SF for an adult

March 2003

I'm looking for a recommendation for a voice teacher in San Francisco. I am an adult who sang quite a bit as a child but I haven't sung anywhere but the car or the shower for the last thirty years. I'm hoping to find someone who can help me improve and master my voice so I can sing for fun with my son. I've checked the website and all the recommended teachers are in the East Bay which doesn't work for me. Thanks! Whitney

Good for you! Studying voice was probably the most fun, most meaningful, most memorable thing I've done with my spare time. And the joy of it was mostly in working with Paul Brian, who is a choir director, professional soloist, and musician. Paul is great at figuring out what level you're at and what inspires you, and working from there. He's used to working with people at all levels of talent and experience, and he's very relaxed and approachable. You can reach him at his phone number at St Luke's in San Francisco where he directs the music program. 415 673 9971. Good luck! Deirdre

Lessons for an adult who sings badly

February 2003

I sing to my children all the time. I sing very badly. I'm told I'm usually off-key, but I usually can't tell. I don't want to be such a bad role model. Is there a voice teacher who could help me? (I've looked at the web site, but the recommendations seem to be for musically proficient children, as opposed to musically impaired adults.) Karen

My sister Eliza O'Malley teaches voice privately in El Cerrito and in Berkeley at the Chamber Arts House. She has a Master of Music degree in Voice Performance and has performed all over the Bay Area and elsewhere. She recently performed the role of St. Settlement in Virgil Thomson's Four Saints in Three Acts with the Oakland Opera and will perform Micaela in Carmen with Capitol Opera Sacramento and Nora in Vaughn Williams' Riders to the Sea at Holy Names College next spring. A recommendation from one of her students (Becky Gambatese): ''I highly recommend Eliza as a voice instructor. She is one of the best I've been to. Over the past year, she has helped me tremendously both technically and as a performer. She is patient and encouraging, yet challenging and shares many fresh ideas from her own singing experience. I have in the past, and would continue to recommend her.'' You can contact Eliza at: 510-235-4471, or by email at: ELIZAOMALLEY (at) prodigy.net Sara O'Malley

Marcelle Dronkers is an accomplished, local vocalist, who both performs, teaches and conducts in classical venues. She is available at 526-5425. She is willing to take on students who consider themselves musically ''challenged.''

Voice and guitar teacher for 11 year old beginner

March 2002

Hi, Can anyone recommend a good teacher of voice and guitar (singing and playing) for an adult and an 11 year old beginner? Thanks

I don't know how close you may be to Pleasant Hill, but my sister who lives there (Erika Vergeer-More) teaches voice lessons and her husband (Chuck More) teaches guitar lessons. They are both very experienced, play/sing a wide variety of musical styles, and work well with young people. I know they are both very upbeat, encouraging teachers. They teach on the weekend as well as during the week. If you are interested, you can contact them at evmore AT attbi DOT com --Gwen

More recommendations Dec 2000

I heartily recommend Mary Triest. She teaches voice and piano, adults and kids, male and female. She has a warm manner and kids love her. She has taught me, my daughter, and I have recommended her to lots of friends. She is in Oakland off Lakeshore and her number is 836-0295. Feel free to tell her I gave you her name. Dawn

I haven't taken lessons, but I know a woman in North Berkeley who sings professionally and gives voice lessons. She has an 8 yr. old and seems like she'd be great with kids. Her name is Cary Sheldon and her number is 843-9687. Stefanie

August 2000

For the girl that wants to sing: We love my daughter's singing teacher, Marcelle Dronkers. She teaches kids of all ages. She is a wonderful positive force in my daughter's life. She really makes music fun. Jenifer

If your daughter likes to sing, consider having her audition for the SF Girl's chorus, which is a world renowned organization. The chorus has 4 levels in the chorus school and 2 advanced levels. They perform all over the Bay Area in local events, including Willie Brown happenings, and have appeared in some movies. Chorissima, one of the advanced levels, travels to other countries, Japan, Europe. There are auditions in Fall and Spring. Call the chorus to find out when the next audition will be - 415-673-1511. One of the best things about chorus is that it keeps your daughter busy and safe, which is great for teens. Toby

Music lessons: I have two sons in the Berkeley School system (one just graduated). I see postings frequently asking for referrals about music instruction. Though it is self promotion, one of the teachers I would recommend is...myself. (smile) I have taught in Berkeley for 25 years, trained in piano, voice and wind instruments, and have worked with students from age 5 through adult. I currently have piano students, a voice student and a clarinet student and teach from my home which is on Milvia street close to the Arts Magnet and BHS. I emphasize an integrated approach to music which includes theory and ensemble experience in many different styles. You can see my online music resume (read to bottom of page for teaching credentials) at: http://www.creativefilms.com/Resume.index/music.html.

I've recommended Suzy Yu's music studio before, and I'll do so again in response to Rona Renner's query. Suzy teaches classical voice and piano, is both rigorous and nurturing, and has done wonders for the musical talents of our eleven-year old. She's in Berkeley and her number is 558-1310. Julia

I like Lisa Houston. She is near Star Grocery in Berkeley. 428-2238 (8/00)

My daughter has just graduated from the Kairos Youth Choir, founded and directed by Laura Kakis, and I recommend it highly. It meets two afternoons a week, now at Hillside School (Berkeley Montessori), from 4-6, and offers astonishing opportunities and wonderful training in classical and international music as well as original compositions. Kids are 8 to 15 (boys with unchanged voices only), with a new high school girls ensemble forming this fall. Some of the staff also give private lessons. I would be glad to talk to any parents with questions about Kairos. Sally

Ellen Hoffman, pianist and host of Singers' Open Mike at Anna's Restaurant, teaches vocal jazz lessons. She also is the music director for Berkeley Broadway Singers. She is a joy to work with and lots of fun. Her phone number is 524-6220. Lisa

November 1999

Hi, My daughter wants to take voice lessons very badly. Can anyone recommend someone? She is 16, sings pretty well already. This is going to be one of her Christmas presents. Thanks.

Regarding voice lessons, try calling the SF Girl's Chorus at 415-673-1511. I'm sure they can recommend some good voice teachers.

In my opinion, the very best person for teaching children and grown-ups voice and music theory is Marcelle Dronkers at 526-5425. She is a fabulous opera singer and talented, enthusiastic teacher. She has taught my very active 5 year son 1 hour a week for over one year and he loves her dearly. She teaches from her home in Kensington

I took voice lessons from Madi Bacon in Berkeley, 848-5354. I haven't seen her for years, and she was rather advanced in years when I knew her, so I don't know if she's still teaching. If not, she may be able to recommend someone. She's a real pro, and a bit of a character, and a wonderful teacher. linda

Larry Marietta, the Music Director at the First Congregational Church of Berkeley, is an extraordinary voice teacher for teenagers and adults. You can reach him at the church, 848-3696.

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