Private Lessons
I offer private lessons in singing and songwriting at my studio in Berkeley, California. I work with students ages 13 to adult, ranging from complete beginners to professional musicians. I am happy to help students prepare for specific auditions, recording projects, or performances. I offer gift certificates for folks wishing to gift singing lessons to someone in their life. For those who live outside the Bay Area, I teach lessons online via Skype, FaceTime, and Zoom.
I also offer group classes for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies, and workshops for groups of all kinds. Please read on for more info about my approach, background, and areas of special interest.
I also offer group classes for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies, and workshops for groups of all kinds. Please read on for more info about my approach, background, and areas of special interest.
"I always leave these lessons feeling kind of giddy and like I want to sing every single day.
I highly recommend checking out Eli's group classes, or trying out private singing lessons.
Really, I can't say enough good things." Phoenix S.
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I highly recommend checking out Eli's group classes, or trying out private singing lessons.
Really, I can't say enough good things." Phoenix S.
Read More Testimonials
Teaching Style
My teaching style bridges my experience as a touring indie folk singer-songwriter, my time as a member of award-winning classical choirs including the San Francisco Symphony Chorus and the International Orange Chorale, and my training in Somatic Voicework - The LoVetri Method™. I continue to study to deepen my practice of this method of vocal pedagogy based on deep listening and voice science to help my students sing freely and expressively in all styles of music.
Students work with me to develop and train their natural voices by learning to identify and strengthen their head (high/falsetto) register and chest (low) register, and build a healthy mix of the two in the middle. Our work often includes improving vocal strength, flexibility and stamina, smoothing the transitions between registers, addressing muscle constriction to find more freedom and ease in singing, building breath support and capacity, developing a variety of vocal colors, and deepening expressive song performance. I also work with interested students on harmony singing, songwriting, ear training, sight reading, mic technique, live performance skills, and singing while playing an instrument.
Location
Lessons take place in south Berkeley just a half mile away from the Ashby BART station. This location is also accessible by bus and bike, and there is free street parking.
My teaching style bridges my experience as a touring indie folk singer-songwriter, my time as a member of award-winning classical choirs including the San Francisco Symphony Chorus and the International Orange Chorale, and my training in Somatic Voicework - The LoVetri Method™. I continue to study to deepen my practice of this method of vocal pedagogy based on deep listening and voice science to help my students sing freely and expressively in all styles of music.
Students work with me to develop and train their natural voices by learning to identify and strengthen their head (high/falsetto) register and chest (low) register, and build a healthy mix of the two in the middle. Our work often includes improving vocal strength, flexibility and stamina, smoothing the transitions between registers, addressing muscle constriction to find more freedom and ease in singing, building breath support and capacity, developing a variety of vocal colors, and deepening expressive song performance. I also work with interested students on harmony singing, songwriting, ear training, sight reading, mic technique, live performance skills, and singing while playing an instrument.
Location
Lessons take place in south Berkeley just a half mile away from the Ashby BART station. This location is also accessible by bus and bike, and there is free street parking.
"I have been really impressed at how, with practice and Eli's nurturance, my voice was able to grow and develop into something lovely and unique on its own. I stopped wanting to be like other singers and started focusing on being more like my best self, and that was an incredible gift from our work together." Christine H.
Read More Testimonials
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Teaching Hours
Tuesdays 2:30 - 5 pm Wednesdays 2 pm - 7 pm Thursdays 1:30 pm - 6:30 pm |
Rate
$100 for a one hour private lesson I reserve some need-based sliding scale spots in my studio for low-income students. More Information. |
Becoming a Student
At this time my private teaching schedule is full and my waiting list is closed. I encourage you to consider taking a group class with me instead. You can find a list of other voice teachers in the Bay Area who I recommend here.
At your first lesson we will get to know each other and explore where your voice is at right now. I'll begin to design a vocal exercise program tailored to you and your goals. We'll also take a look at a song.
If you're interested in continuing to work with me, we will setup a regular time for you to come in. I find that weekly lessons allow for the most consistent progress and motivation. Some students work with me every other week because it's a better fit for their schedule or budget.
Students who aren't able to come at a regular time can opt to take an intro lesson and then schedule lessons one at a time as I have availability. Regardless of how often we work together, practicing consistently between lessons is key!
At this time my private teaching schedule is full and my waiting list is closed. I encourage you to consider taking a group class with me instead. You can find a list of other voice teachers in the Bay Area who I recommend here.
At your first lesson we will get to know each other and explore where your voice is at right now. I'll begin to design a vocal exercise program tailored to you and your goals. We'll also take a look at a song.
If you're interested in continuing to work with me, we will setup a regular time for you to come in. I find that weekly lessons allow for the most consistent progress and motivation. Some students work with me every other week because it's a better fit for their schedule or budget.
Students who aren't able to come at a regular time can opt to take an intro lesson and then schedule lessons one at a time as I have availability. Regardless of how often we work together, practicing consistently between lessons is key!
"Eli has truly been one of the best teachers my daughter has ever had, in any subject." Katherine H.
Read More Testimonials
"Eli has truly been one of the best teachers my daughter has ever had, in any subject." Katherine H.
Read More Testimonials
Musical Styles
I teach a variety of contemporary popular styles of singing, including (but not limited to) folk, country, R&B, rock, pop, hip hop, soul, musical theater, jazz, gospel, and cabaret. I encourage my students to sing in multiple styles and to bring in music they're interested in singing.
Please note: Though I have experience with classical singing myself, people looking to sing primarily classical music or opera will likely find a better fit with a teacher who specializes in classical singing. You can find a list of other voice teachers in the area who I recommend here.
I teach a variety of contemporary popular styles of singing, including (but not limited to) folk, country, R&B, rock, pop, hip hop, soul, musical theater, jazz, gospel, and cabaret. I encourage my students to sing in multiple styles and to bring in music they're interested in singing.
Please note: Though I have experience with classical singing myself, people looking to sing primarily classical music or opera will likely find a better fit with a teacher who specializes in classical singing. You can find a list of other voice teachers in the area who I recommend here.
My Training
I have studied jazz singing at Berklee College of Music and classical singing at Oberlin Conservatory. I also have experience singing folk, indie rock, country, pop, soul, musical theater, classical and contemporary a cappella music. I trained in Somatic Voicework - The LoVetri Method™ at the Contemporary Commercial Music Vocal Pedagogy Institute.
Somatic Voicework - The LoVetri Method™
Rooted in voice science and voice therapy, Somatic Voicework™ teaches students to use their natural voices in a healthy way in order to sing the types of music they like to sing. The founder, Jeanette LoVetri, has been a fixture in the voice science research community for over 30 years, and has published numerous articles and research papers about contemporary singing. There are over 500 certified teachers in the United States teaching privately and at many of the world's leading conservatories. Those of us who teach this method share the newest research findings, industry news, and teaching ideas with each other. Due to this network of teachers sharing information, the student gets the most up-to-date vocal pedagogy available. More information about Somatic Voicework™.
Singer-Songwriters
As a singer-songwriter myself, I particularly enjoy working with students who would like to develop their skills in writing and performing their own original music. In additional to vocal technique, I work with interested students on basic music theory, songwriting, ear training and live performance skills.
Gender and the Voice
I am a part of Bay Area transgender, queer, and social justice activist communities, and so are many of my students. I work with singers of all genders, including genderqueer and non-binary people, agender people, trans women and people on the trans feminine spectrum, and trans men and people on the trans masculine 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.
I focus my work on the singing voice. If you are looking for a voice coach to work with you on your speaking voice in the Bay Area, I highly recommend Wendy Vastine in Berkeley and Oneida Chi in San Francisco. If you're a member of Kaiser Permanente, you may be able to receive speech therapy through their Multi-Specialty Transitions Department in Oakland. If you are low income, Gender Health San Francisco may be able to help you receive low cost voice coaching.
If you're not in the Bay Area, you can find a comprehensive list of voice coaches and therapists who work with transgender people at Transgender Pulse.
Working with a coach in person is generally the most effective, but if you can't find a voice coach in your area, my friend Peter Fullerton in Portland, Oregon is a wonderful teacher who is transgender and genderqueer himself. He offers speech and singing training online through Skype, and I recommend him highly.
Accessibility & Allergen Info
My teaching studio is up a flight of twenty stairs with railings on both sides. There is a chair without arms available for students if you need to sit during your lesson.
My home is completely fragrance-free, but I do have some students who wear body products with fragrances. There is a cat in the house who is not allowed in my teaching studio. If you have chemical sensitivities or a severe feline allergy, please let me know and I will run the air purifier the day of your lesson.
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 private lessons and group classes. Contact me for more information.
Singing lessons can be a wonderful way to treat the singer (or singer-to-be) in your life. I offer gift certificates for private lessons and group classes. Contact me for more information.
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Eli Conley Vocal Music Studio
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