Services – Elizabeth Stewart

Let your voice soar…

SINGING LESSONS

AGES & LEVELS

Ages: 4+ (parental supervision advised for young students)
All Levels: beginner to professional

Beginners: set your goals and learn the basics of singing at a comfortable pace, in a supportive environment. Get to know your own voice, what works and what doesn’t, and learn how to bring out the best in your voice.
Intermediate/advanced: develop stamina, consistent and confident technique. Strengthen the problem areas in your voice, extend your skills, and get closer to your goals.
Professional: customised voice care routine to help you meet the demands of your performance schedule, even when you’re not feeling well. Performance coaching to heighten your expressive delivery and keep it feeling fresh, creative and inspired.

REPERTOIRE DEVELOPMENT

Sing from the heart: sing the songs that you love

Sing in any style…contemporary, jazz, musical theatre, classical, country, pop, rock, children’s music – your choice!
Build a collection of songs in the best keys for your voice
Choose repertoire that showcases your strengths

Song selection is a personal process, and not all songs are created equal. As your singing teacher, I can show you how to choose repertoire that flatters your voice, challenges you in all the right ways and exposes you to new ways of expressing yourself that you never knew were possible. Be prepared to be delighted!

VOCAL TECHNIQUE

Sing with ease, control and confidence…

Range: are you straining to sing the high notes?
Stamina: do you wish that singing was easier and less effortful?
Vocal health: do you get hoarse after singing?
Power: wanting to sing with more power and strength?
Flexibility: do you wish your voice was more flexible and agile?
Tone: does your voice sound rough? Wanting to sound more smooth/polished?

Singing lessons with a focus on technique (understanding how your voice works and learning to control and coordinate the different vocal apparatus) can take your singing to a whole new level. Once you master your technique, you can sculpt your sound, improve your vocal health and smile…because you will always sing with confidence!

TECHNICAL ARTISTRY

Sing with expression, flair and individuality!

Learn how to sing in tune and stay in time with the music
Get creative: develop your vocal improvisation and interpretation skills
Express yourself: learn how to express yourself using the language of music
Part-harmony: learn how to sing vocal harmonies

Let the fun begin! In your singing lessons, you will learn how to apply vocal techniques to express your musical ideas. Understand, and work with, the fundamentals of melody, harmony and rhythm to build your musicality. Develop coordination, individuality and artistry… then shine!

EXAMINATIONS

Make the grade.

Wanting a sense of accomplishment?
Looking for some structure or a qualification?
Don’t want to perform, but still want to improve your playing and gain experience?
Need help preparing your VCE solo performance recital?
No longer at school, but would love to have a graded learning experience?

If you’ve been seeking any of the above, then exams might be an option for you. As your singing teacher, I can coach you through your VCE, VET or AMEB (Singing for Leisure, Musical Theatre, Contemporary Practicing Musician and School of Rock) exams and keep the journey fun along the way!

Sing it. Play it. Share it!

SELF-ACCOMPANIMENT (Piano & Guitar)

SING AND ACCOMPANY YOURSELF

Learn how to play piano or guitar and sing at the same time

Play and sing, and stay in time!
Create a full sound, and interesting arrangements for your songs
Know what to concentrate on, and when
How to sing effectively when sitting down (or learn how to stand while playing your instrument)

Singing and accompanying yourself can be challenging, but is rewarding when you master it! Working on each instrument separately is a must, but will only take you so far. Lessons that show you how to combine those two separate musical events will get you coordinated in no time!

Tell your story…

SONGWRITING & MUSICIANSHIP

SONGWRITING & COMPOSITION

Workshop your songs in a safe, encouraging environment…

Have you ever had something happen and thought: “there’s a song in that!”
Have you ever written a song and got stuck after the first chorus? (‘2nd verse syndrome’)
Do all your songs sound the same?
Are you great at writing music, but fall short when it comes to the lyrics?
Do you need help setting your lyrics to chords, or arranging your songs?

It’s said that songwriting is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. How to get that magical, inspired idea to take shape and delight others as much as it delights you? Learning the craft of songwriting – the role of lyrics, melody, form, harmony and groove – will equip you with the tools you need to take your song from incubation to celebration!

SIGHT–READING

Imagine being able to read music like you were reading a good book…

Longing to read music, but finding it difficult?
Frustrated by all those sharps and flats in the music?
Trying to keep up when the choir reads the music by sight?
Can read the notes, but need to improve your rhythm?
Memorised how to play your favourite piece, but forgotten it already?

Learning to read music takes time, just like learning any language, but once you can do it, a whole world of music is yours to explore. Carefully graded sight-reading exercises can take you slowly, but surely, to a place where you’ll never forget how to play your favourite pieces!

MUSIC THEORY:

Understand how music works and perform with confidence.

Learn about…

The underlying elements of music (melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, timbre and form) so you can make your own music.
Music notation and terminology (how the language of music is written), and why it isn’t always straightforward/logical, to help you read and write music.
How to identify the elements of music in your pieces to improve your pitching, performance and interpretation.
AMEB Exams: Theory of Music, Musicianship and Music Craft.

When you understand music theory, you have a set of tools to help you learn, master, interpret and deliver your pieces with style!

AURAL (EAR) TRAINING

Learn how to hear music and understand what’s going on.

Sing in tune
Memorise music quickly
Improvise with confidence
Learn how to play music by ear
Strengthen your sense of rhythm and timing
Develop the ability to hear multiple notes at the same time

Aural training is fun, and can really boost your music performance. Aural classes help you to make a link between the theory of music and the sounds you are making. When you can hear the underlying elements in the music (notes, intervals, scales and chords) you have so much more control and confidence!

Make that piano sing!

PIANO LESSONS

AGES & LEVELS

All ages.
Beginner through intermediate levels.

TECHNICAL & TECHNIQUE:

Play fluidly, with coordination and ease…

Having trouble playing fluidly?
Getting sore or tired hands or arms when you play?
Feeling uncoordinated? Having trouble getting your hands to work together?
Not sure if you’re developing good or bad habits?
Using the wrong fingering, or wish you had more control over your fingers?

Piano lessons that include technical exercises (to improve your agility, flexibility and hand coordination) could really give you a kick-start. Add some good technique into the equation, and those tired arms will increase their stamina in no time!

REPERTOIRE

Play pieces that inspire you to play them again and again!

Want to play songs and music in the styles that you love?
Wish you could play beyond your current reading ability?
Want to play a piece of music, but you can’t find the sheet music anywhere? Or you’ve found the sheet music but it doesn’t sound the same?
Wanting to build a collection of songs/pieces at your current level of ability, which showcases your strengths?

Playing piano is about playing music that you love. As your piano teacher, I can help you develop a collection of enjoyable pieces, arranged to highlight your strengths, in whatever style you choose to play. End goal: go play them to anyone who will listen!

A guitar is like an old friend…

GUITAR LESSONS

AGES/LEVELS:

All ages.
Beginner through intermediate levels.

REPERTOIRE

Play songs that inspire you, every time you play them…

Play the songs and styles that you love
Learn how to read chord charts (lead sheets) or tablature
Develop a collection of songs and pieces that you can play with ease
Learn how to play songs by ear (work out how to play them), when you can’t find the sheet music or chords anywhere

Guitar lessons will have you playing the music you love, in arrangements that cater to your current level of ability, while building up your skills. Discover the fun of playing this old and much-loved instrument…it’s so versatile, you can literally take your music anywhere!

TECHNICAL & TECHNIQUE:

Play smoothly, with a great sense of groove!

Wanting to sound more polished?
Does your playing sound rough or sloppy?
Wanting to play with better rhythm and timing?
Can’t play for very long because it hurts?

As your guitar teacher, I will show you exercises to improve your flexibility, coordination and control that can really help. Add to that a toolbox of rhythm guitar skills: strum patterns, fingerpicking, barre chords, riffs and licks, and you’ll be getting your groove on in no time!

Get in the zone...

PERFORMANCE CRAFT

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

Take advantage of all the opportunities you have to perform…

Concerts: I host four concerts each year (at the end of every school term)
Competitions: local and national (eg: Royal South Street Comps, X Factor, The Voice)
Shows, choirs, bands, open-mic nights and karaoke sessions
Music examinations

There is never any pressure to perform onstage, but if you’re into it there are plenty of opportunities waiting for you! Performing in public is fun, will boost your confidence and develop your stage experience. It’s also a great chance to meet like-minded people and swap notes, stories and resources. Plus…it’s an adrenaline rush!

PERFORMANCE PREPARATION

Be prepared for your next audition, competition or special event.

Need to know how to deliver in a particular style?
Wanting to find songs that highlight your strengths?
Want to know which character types suit you best?
Looking for repertoire that suits your voice and meets the expectations of the audition panel?
Need assistance learning your parts for shows, choirs or backing vocals for your band?

Performance preparation sessions will help you choose the right songs in the best keys for your voice. Getting your music prepared, arranged, and finding the right sheet music or practice tracks is essential, so that you have all the materials you need to stand and deliver!

PERFOMANCE COACHING

Deal with the demands of performing and develop a system for delivering your best

Express yourself: learn how to communicate effectively to your audience
Learn the art of interpretation and improvisation
Know how to set up and use stage equipment, and how/why to do a sound-check
Learn how to play and perform with others
How to stay in best possible condition when touring or performing a lot

Performance coaching can give you an outside perspective and a more complete picture of what you’re doing on stage. Lessons help you to understand your audience, what it is you are trying to communicate, and how best to achieve it. Develop a system to keep you delivering your best, night after night.

Capture your creativity!

RECORDING

RECORD YOURSELF FOR SHOW OR STUDY

Create a personal and lasting record of your musical achievements…

Learn how to work effectively in a recording setting
Use recordings to critique, analyse and develop your music skills
Use modern digital recording techniques to maximize your final sound
Know how to avoid common recording pitfalls and deliver a more polished sound
Publish your recordings online

Performing for a recording is quite different to performing on stage, and requires detail and focus to get it right. Students who record themselves regularly learn how to analyse their performance, fine-tune their delivery, and gain a deeper understanding of their own practice needs. Best of all, you have a great recording that you can listen to over and over again!

When practice feels like play, you’re doing it right…

INDIVIDUALLY TAILORED PRACTICE PLAN

CUSTOMISED PRACTICE PLAN & MATERIALS

Get to your goals…faster!

Not sure what to practice? Or why?
Need help identifying your goals, and breaking them down into achievable steps?
Looking for a personalised warm-up, practice and cool-down routine that suits your voice, your goals and your schedule?

Learning music is a progressive experience. We learn new skills, master them, then build more skills on top of them. Your practice plan needs to consider not only the skills you are developing, but also your goals, lifestyle, and how much time you want to spend on music. Once we have established these fundamentals, we can plan out a step-by-step path to achieving your musical goals.

DEVELOP AN EFFICIENT PRACTICE ROUTINE

Practice smarter…

How much to practice
When and when not to practice
How to practice when you’re really busy
Do you get to the end of the day and realise that you forgot to practice?
Do you ever wonder how the most effective musicians practice?

It’s no secret that practice makes perfect, but how to practice?! Move beyond the common misconceptions about music practice and find a pathway to improving your skills that is fun and rewarding. Discover what kind of learning works best for you. Train more efficiently, and reap the rewards!