Voice

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Browse Instructors By Instrument Below

Singing is good for you. It boosts the immune system and prolongs life (at least according to the Barbershop Harmony Society). The human voice is arguably the most amazing instrument on the planet. And though the world is full of incredible instrumental works, nothing captivates the listener quite the way that a singer does. Whether it's opera, pop or heavy metal, there are techniques that all singers need to know to not only produce a great sound, but also to avoid damaging vocal cords. Because unlike all the other instruments out there, you can't just go buy a new one.

At Madison Music Foundry we have a selection of great instructors who give voice lessons. Instruction is available for any age and level at a time that's convenient for you.

Laurie Dunston

Laurie Dunston

PIANO, VOICE

Laurie is a recent transplant to Madison, moving here from Virginia. Her childhood curiosity of language led her to study both English and vocal music at the undergraduate level. She received a Bachelors in English and Music from Pacific Union College in California. Her graduate work was done in Vocal Pedagogy at Westminster Choir College in Princeton.

Her teaching career has spanned the gamut of English, ESL, choir, and drama at the K-12 and community college levels. In addition to her teaching career, Laurie has served as Director of Music for two Episcopal church communities and has also been part of Campus Ministries and Liturgical teams as part of her teaching duties. She has conducted, sung, enjoyed various cuisines around the world, and is always looking for reasons to use her passport.

Laurie’s main teaching philosophy for any subject is that learning is a joyful process. To facilitate that belief, her teaching style is eclectic, humorous, and individualized. She believes in teaching each student in the best manner suited to them. She adapts each session to fit with the student’s goals and learning styles.

Marie McManama

Marie McManama

VOICE

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Marie McManama studied classical voice at CCM in Cincinnati with both Bachelors and Masters degrees. Marie has performed with the Madison Choral Project, Four Seasons Theatre, Cincinnati Opera, St. Louis Symphony, SongFest, and the Grand Teton Music Festival in Jackson, Wyoming.  While completing her Masters she also earned her second Bachelors in music education and recently won a scholarship from the Wisconsin Music Educators Association for excellence in teaching. She sang Julie Jordan in Middleton Players Theatre’s production of Carousel and was the soprano studio artist with Madison Opera while touring as the Queen of the Night with Opera for the Young’s production of The Magic Flute.

Marie began teaching privately in 2002. She has taught K-12 general music and choir in public schools in Cincinnati, OH and Madison, WI and taught privately through music schools and churches. Her students are active participants in annual solo and ensemble festivals, community theater and music camps, Madison Youth Choir, and the Madison Boychoir Festival. 

Autonomous study is her main goal of private teaching. She teaches music theory, ear training, sight-reading skills, the International Phonetic Alphabet, and text analysis in addition to her vocal technique training. Marie teaches classical, musical theater, jazz, and pop styles.

www.mariemcmanamasoprano.com

Evan Mitchell

Evan Mitchell

VOICE, PIANO, SAXOPHONE, CLARINET, TRUMPET

Evan Mitchell has been teaching voice, piano, and instrument lessons to students of all ages, varieties, and styles for the past 9 years.  He is a graduate of Luther College and McGill University, where he has advanced degrees in Music Performance.  He has performed both classical and pop music throughout the United States and Canada as a recitalist, lead singer, chorister, accompanist, and director.  He has taught at the college level, specializing in music history, performance, and literacy courses, as well has holding his own private studio.  In addition to 19th century French opera and Cole Porter standards, Evan holds a deep interest for novelty and humorous songs- be sure to ask him what that means, and he will be sure to give you some great music to listen and sing to that will be sure to make you laugh!

Eliza Morris

Eliza Morris

VOICE, PIANO

Hailing from the small town of Ripon, WI, mezzo-soprano Eliza Morris is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where she received her degree in Vocal Performance.  At UWEC Eliza sang Mrs. Lovett in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd and Donna Elvira in Mozart’s Don Giovanni.  In addition, she was a concert soloist for Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, Vivaldi’s Gloria, and Handel’s Messiah with the UWEC Symphonic Orchestra and Chorus.  Eliza has also sung with the Minnesota Opera Chorus and was a Young Artist at the Bay View Music Festival, where she sang Marcellina in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro.

Apart from her classical singing, Eliza has sung with several jazz groups around the Chippewa Valley.  She enjoys performing a variety of musical genres, and she encourages her voice and piano students to do the same.  Eliza’s teaching style is patient and rooted in learning how to use healthy techniques while playing and singing.  She helps her students understand why they are studying what they are studying—all while having fun, of course!  One of Eliza’s goals is that her students will learn how to capture the unique character of each piece in their performance.  She helps students achieve this by having them study musical style, technique, theory, ear training, sight-reading, text analysis, and diction.  Eliza welcomes students of all musical backgrounds and structures each lesson specifically to the student.

Daniel O'Dea

Daniel O'Dea

VOICE

Tenor Daniel O'Dea is an active performer and teacher based in Madison, WI. As a versatile and seasoned singer proficient in opera, musical theater and contemporary music, he has been praised for his “high, clear voice” and powerful performances.

Daniel completed his Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he received the Wisconsin Distinguished Collins Fellowship. He received his Artist Diploma in Opera from the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), Masters of Music in Voice from CCM and Bachelor's of Music in Vocal Performance from Westminster Choir College. He was an Apprentice Artist with Des Moines Metro Opera and Cedar Rapids Opera and is an alumnus of the Aspen Opera Theater Center, Brevard Music Center and the Chautauqua Institute. 

He has performed with Philadelphia based choral group The Crossing including their 2017 Grammy nominated recording Bonheoffer. Locally he has collaborated with the Madison Choral Project, Middleton Players Theater, Madison Bach Musicians, Present Music Milwaukee, the Token Creek Music Festival and others. Regionally he has worked with the Chicago Lyric Opera Chorus, Chicago Bach Project, Grant Park Symphony Chorus, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Rockford Symphony Orchestra.

Daniel maintains a large and active studio at the Madison Music Foundry. He encourages his students to use their instrument healthily no matter the musical style. Students work on music from many different genres including rock, pop, jazz, musical theater and classical. Lessons are tailored to the individual, from beginners to professionals. His goal is to help students find their own unique sound and to make beautiful music.