Testimonials
Dr. Kathleen Arecchi, Newport, Rhode Island
I want to thank you so much for your great work at the Summer Conference. I’ve been reviewing the evaluation forms and everyone, without exception, cited your master classes as high points of the conference. On a scale of 5 (wonderful) to 1 (disappointing), your sessions were graded 5 on all forms but one, where you received a 5++!
Deedy Francis, Anderson University, South Carolina
I wanted to thank you for your work in the Comparative pedagogy Session at the convention in Minneapolis. I thoroughly enjoyed your approach and I am living proof that belting, working on chest voice helped my legit voice. I am a better singer at 44 than I have ever been...I have several students that have had the same experience.
Ann Chase, Program Chair 2002 National NATS Convention in San Diego
Thanks so much for your fabulous presentation. You can see what an impact this has on our teachers, as we're all having to deal with this kind of singing and most of us don't have the experience. We purposely put you last to keep a lot of people from leaving.
Anne Peckham, Berklee College of Music
I attended the NATS workshop and was thrilled to hear and see you teach the participants. I teach at Berklee College of Music in Boston and think you would have a lot of avid listeners here, faculty and student body.
Ellie Edwards, President, Boston NATS
I can’t begin to thank you for such an incredibly personable and succinct presentation today. I know you opened the ears of many and “gave permission” to others. I have never seen such joy after a master class.
Marilyn Govich, Oklahoma
Wow! What an exciting couple of days! I felt like you invested your workshop for our students with as much energy and enthusiasm and focus as you had given at the national convention in front of people from all over the world.
William McIver, NATS President, Eastman School of Music
I don’t believe we’ve met, but I attended your session in San Diego and found it very informative. You present material in a way that is easily understood and which makes the differences in pedagogical approach for various styles of singing apparent.
Sarah Lopez, San Diego
Thank-you for the brilliant workshop you gave Saturday for NATS, San Diego. Your natural enthusiasm and talent both singing and teaching gave me the answers I’ve been searching for—namely how to keep the voice from slipping into head voice alone without disconnecting and, not being afraid to “push” “coddle” “push” ahead to help the student find the pathway to a fully open sound. Your printed exercises are very clear and an excellent reference.
Lisa Popeil, Sherman Oaks, California
I want to thank you for your marvelous presentation in Vancouver. I think of all the belting teachers out there, I feel most akin to your sound and aesthetic. And you sing so beautifully! I would love to have a copy of your vocal exercise handout. I hope to speak more in depth with you in the future.
Phyllis Wilson, Abilene, Texas
Thank you so much for the information and teaching you gave us. I came back and immediately began to work with students who were leading performers in our show. I was able to articulate clearly what I wanted. Because of what I had learned in the workshop, I sounded like an authority on the subject and had some trust with the kids.
Karen Holvic, NYC
I was very impressed with the way you worked with the people who sang Saturday afternoon. Positive, always, but definitely no-nonsense. I was particularly impressed with how quickly you were able to get to the heart of the matter, however it presented itself, with each individual, and offer clear and concise guidance that produced immediately audible result.
Jonathan Leese, London
Many thanks for all your hard work, enthusiasm and knowledge during the NATS Conference. It made me think of my own teaching skills and already I am making progress with several students. Is it possible for you to forward some of your vocal exercises and ideas? I have executed the ones you used and very useful they are too.
Peggy Brunner, San Antonio, Texas
I have been on the voice faculty of Southwest Texas University for thirty-three years. I had the great pleasure and privilege to see and hear your work at the workshop in NYC last January. What I heard was so exciting that I came home and reported to our district NATS chapter what beautiful things were being done. The chapter then asked me to see if it might be possible to have you down for a masterclass at our fall meeting.
Flo St. Jean, President, Rhode Island NATS
Not only is the information you provide valuable to teachers and students alike, but you present everything in such a lucid, caring and humorous manner.
Marilyn Barnes, Santa Fe, New Mexico
I am using a lot of your techniques and finding them absolutely terrific. Do you have anything written down or a videotape I could buy of you teaching a lesson?
Emily Browder, Boston
It was such a pleasure to work with you yesterday! I listened to the tape all the way home and I could really hear what you were going for in the speech quality. I had a fabulous time and it got me all a-flutter to continue learning to belt.
Rebecca Glade, Denver
I met you at the NATS belting workshop and feel like I have a daily relationship with you as I use your exercises regularly.
Eric Bronner, Rhode Island
You have given me lots of tools to help my theatre majors. It was especially moving to hear the results you achieved with the “classical” singers who had never “belted” before. I like the way you break down the mix into head-mix and speech-mix and your use of the call. That seems to me the perfect way to explain the issues.
Gayle Lockwood, Brigham Young University
I was in attendance at your NATS workshop three years ago when you were a presenter. I loved watching you work with novice belters and have been using “why nots” and “never no’s” ever since. I loved how you were able to do so many things with your voice and that your acting skills were equally great.
Mary Worthen, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas
I want you to know what a fantastic experience your visit was for all of us. The students are experimenting and practicing and discussing “the belt” in lessons and in practice rooms. Every one of the teachers has commented that you gave us such practical and useful information. I want you to know that you have truly inspired me. I have a fresh outlook on my role here and new energy with my students.