Voice Lessons
I offer private singing lessons, vocal coaching for bands and recording artists, and singing workshops for groups. I work with students ages 13 to adult, ranging from complete beginners to professional performers. I focus on helping you have fun as you train your voice, singing a mix of songs that I provide and songs that you bring in. I also offer singing classes for the LGBTQ community and allies.
"I always leave these lessons feeling kind of giddy and like I want to sing every single day. I highly recommend checking out his classes, or trying out individual singing lessons. Really, I can't say enough good things." Phoenix S.
See below for more student testimonials.
Teaching Style
My teaching style bridges my experience as a performing folk singer-songwriter, my time as a member of award-winning choirs such as the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, my training in jazz and classical singing, and experiential body-centered approaches to the voice, including somatics and the techniques of Kristin Linklater.
Students work with me to find and develop their natural voice by building breath support, strengthening the high and low ends of their range, improving vocal stamina, smoothing register transitions, training their ear, learning or strengthening their harmony singing, developing a variety of vocal colors, maximizing practice time, and deepening their expressive song performance.
In addition to offering ongoing private lessons, I am happy to help students prepare for specific auditions, recording projects or performances.
Location
Lessons take place in south Berkeley, near Ashby BART. My teaching studio is up a flight of stairs and unfortunately not wheelchair accessible.
"I always leave these lessons feeling kind of giddy and like I want to sing every single day. I highly recommend checking out his classes, or trying out individual singing lessons. Really, I can't say enough good things." Phoenix S.
See below for more student testimonials.
Teaching Style
My teaching style bridges my experience as a performing folk singer-songwriter, my time as a member of award-winning choirs such as the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, my training in jazz and classical singing, and experiential body-centered approaches to the voice, including somatics and the techniques of Kristin Linklater.
Students work with me to find and develop their natural voice by building breath support, strengthening the high and low ends of their range, improving vocal stamina, smoothing register transitions, training their ear, learning or strengthening their harmony singing, developing a variety of vocal colors, maximizing practice time, and deepening their expressive song performance.
In addition to offering ongoing private lessons, I am happy to help students prepare for specific auditions, recording projects or performances.
Location
Lessons take place in south Berkeley, near Ashby BART. My teaching studio is up a flight of stairs and unfortunately not wheelchair accessible.
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Teaching Hours
Tuesdays 1 - 6 pm Wednesdays 3 pm - 7 pm Thursdays 1 pm - 6 pm "Eli has truly been one of the best teachers my daughter has ever had, in any subject." Katherine H. |
Rates
$35 for a 30 minute lesson $65 for a 60 minute lesson $80 for a 60 minute, two-person lesson + $5 for an mp3 recording of your lesson I have a small number of sliding scale spots available for low-income students. Contact me to discuss details. |
My Training
I have trained in classical vocal performance at Oberlin Conservatory and jazz vocal performance at Berklee College of Music. I also have experience singing folk, country, pop, musical theater, rock and a capella music.
I am comfortable teaching music in a variety of contemporary styles, as I feel that the fundamentals of vocal technique are consistent across genre. Please note: Though I am classically trained myself, those looking to sing primarily classical music and/or opera will likely find a better fit with a voice teacher who specializes in teaching classical singing. I am happy to provide referrals to qualified teachers.
Songwriters
As a singer-songwriter, I am particularly interested in working with students who would like to develop their skills in writing and performing their own music. In additional to vocal technique, I enjoy working with interested students on music theory, songwriting, and performance.
Gender and the Voice
I am grounded in bay area transgender, queer, and activist communities, and so are many of my students. I am comfortable working with singers of all genders, and knowledgeable about the particular needs of transgender singers across the gender spectrum. You can find my advice regarding transgender men, testosterone and singing in this blog post. In working with me, your gender, body, and boundaries will be respected.
Setting Up a Lesson
I recommend starting with a one hour introductory lesson to see if we're a good fit. If we agree that we are, then we can setup a regular weekly or bi-weekly time for your lessons.
Students who aren't able to commit to a regular time can opt to take an intro lesson and then go to "floater" status, contacting me when they're interested in scheduling a lesson to see if I have any openings that week.
To setup your introductory lesson, please e-mail me and let me know how you heard about me, what brings you to voice lessons, and the times you are generally available within my teaching hours.
During times when my teaching schedule is full, I maintain a waiting list for interested students.
24 Hour Cancellation Policy
Please note, I have a strict 24 hour cancellation policy. I require 24 hours' notice to change or cancel appointments. Missed appointments and appointments canceled with less than 24 hours' notice will be charged at the full fee. Exceptions are made for illness and emergencies.
For appointments canceled with more than 24 hours' notice, I will do my best to find a makeup lesson time for you within two weeks of the original appointment.
Gift Certificates
Singing lessons can be a wonderful way to treat the singer (or singer-to-be) in your life. I offer gift certificates for pre-paid lessons and classes. Contact me to discuss details.
I have trained in classical vocal performance at Oberlin Conservatory and jazz vocal performance at Berklee College of Music. I also have experience singing folk, country, pop, musical theater, rock and a capella music.
I am comfortable teaching music in a variety of contemporary styles, as I feel that the fundamentals of vocal technique are consistent across genre. Please note: Though I am classically trained myself, those looking to sing primarily classical music and/or opera will likely find a better fit with a voice teacher who specializes in teaching classical singing. I am happy to provide referrals to qualified teachers.
Songwriters
As a singer-songwriter, I am particularly interested in working with students who would like to develop their skills in writing and performing their own music. In additional to vocal technique, I enjoy working with interested students on music theory, songwriting, and performance.
Gender and the Voice
I am grounded in bay area transgender, queer, and activist communities, and so are many of my students. I am comfortable working with singers of all genders, and knowledgeable about the particular needs of transgender singers across the gender spectrum. You can find my advice regarding transgender men, testosterone and singing in this blog post. In working with me, your gender, body, and boundaries will be respected.
Setting Up a Lesson
I recommend starting with a one hour introductory lesson to see if we're a good fit. If we agree that we are, then we can setup a regular weekly or bi-weekly time for your lessons.
Students who aren't able to commit to a regular time can opt to take an intro lesson and then go to "floater" status, contacting me when they're interested in scheduling a lesson to see if I have any openings that week.
To setup your introductory lesson, please e-mail me and let me know how you heard about me, what brings you to voice lessons, and the times you are generally available within my teaching hours.
During times when my teaching schedule is full, I maintain a waiting list for interested students.
24 Hour Cancellation Policy
Please note, I have a strict 24 hour cancellation policy. I require 24 hours' notice to change or cancel appointments. Missed appointments and appointments canceled with less than 24 hours' notice will be charged at the full fee. Exceptions are made for illness and emergencies.
For appointments canceled with more than 24 hours' notice, I will do my best to find a makeup lesson time for you within two weeks of the original appointment.
Gift Certificates
Singing lessons can be a wonderful way to treat the singer (or singer-to-be) in your life. I offer gift certificates for pre-paid lessons and classes. Contact me to discuss details.
Student Testimonials
"Eli is phenomenal! He's a firm believer in being able to use as many styles and techniques as you can or want. And he was able to break down the techniques that make one style of singing different from another in a way that I could understand. And if this weren't enough, he's just lovely and charming and entirely personable. I can't recommend Eli highly enough." Maia G.
"Eli has a very friendly, approachable style, is full of good exercises and insights into the body as the vehicle of singing, and helps me to feel a lot more confident... I am definitely growing and becoming much more perceptive as a singer." Jacks M.
"Eli's approach is easy-going, direct, and concrete. His training is grounded in traditional techniques but incorporates a variety of other pedagogies. He quickly identifies areas to focus on and has a supportive, encouraging teaching style." Jeff G.
"Lessons with Eli are fun, helpful, and professional. I particularly enjoy the quick stretching, breathing and silly vocal warm ups that he incorporates. These really get me into my body and remind me to get grounded in my whole self as an instrument. He is always finding new music that complements yet challenges my voice, and makes sure to ask for what I'd like to work on as well. Overall he's a really great instructor and I totally recommend him to anybody of any level." Ana S.
"I'd been singing for years but had stopped a few years back for many personal reasons. I was scared and nervous to start up again, remembering all the criticism I'd received before. Eli was immediately welcoming and warm, and made me feel so relaxed. He brings so much joy to singing that I'm able to make mistakes, and not know, and sound awful, and still love singing with him. There's absolutely no judgment. He's got a lot of technique and knowledge but makes it all feel so safe, relaxed and playful. I always leave these lessons feeling kind of giddy and like I want to sing every single day. I highly recommend checking out his classes, or trying out individual singing lessons. Really, I can't say enough good things." Phoenix S.
Read more testimonials on Yelp.
"Eli is phenomenal! He's a firm believer in being able to use as many styles and techniques as you can or want. And he was able to break down the techniques that make one style of singing different from another in a way that I could understand. And if this weren't enough, he's just lovely and charming and entirely personable. I can't recommend Eli highly enough." Maia G.
"Eli has a very friendly, approachable style, is full of good exercises and insights into the body as the vehicle of singing, and helps me to feel a lot more confident... I am definitely growing and becoming much more perceptive as a singer." Jacks M.
"Eli's approach is easy-going, direct, and concrete. His training is grounded in traditional techniques but incorporates a variety of other pedagogies. He quickly identifies areas to focus on and has a supportive, encouraging teaching style." Jeff G.
"Lessons with Eli are fun, helpful, and professional. I particularly enjoy the quick stretching, breathing and silly vocal warm ups that he incorporates. These really get me into my body and remind me to get grounded in my whole self as an instrument. He is always finding new music that complements yet challenges my voice, and makes sure to ask for what I'd like to work on as well. Overall he's a really great instructor and I totally recommend him to anybody of any level." Ana S.
"I'd been singing for years but had stopped a few years back for many personal reasons. I was scared and nervous to start up again, remembering all the criticism I'd received before. Eli was immediately welcoming and warm, and made me feel so relaxed. He brings so much joy to singing that I'm able to make mistakes, and not know, and sound awful, and still love singing with him. There's absolutely no judgment. He's got a lot of technique and knowledge but makes it all feel so safe, relaxed and playful. I always leave these lessons feeling kind of giddy and like I want to sing every single day. I highly recommend checking out his classes, or trying out individual singing lessons. Really, I can't say enough good things." Phoenix S.
Read more testimonials on Yelp.
