General Voice Program
What sets this studio apart is our integrated approach to the needs of our singers and our consistently informed, classical vocal technique. The studio is well established, having evolved over 27 years. We work hard to provide our singers with the information and means to achieve within the competitive world of Northern VA and the east coast. We are service oriented, and offer various workshops and performance opportunities.
We believe that singing is a basic human birthright. While many singers here are working professionals, we also welcome singers who sing purely for enjoyment. Serious career aspirations are not a prerequisite. Ages currently range for 13 to 73. To learn more, visit: www.voiceanddrum.com and click on Voice Studio.
Technical Philosophy:
Classical technique is the basis for healthy singing in every genre, whether opera, musical theatre, jazz or pop. Beginning with a classical foundation, our approach to training and repertoire is tailored to the interests of the individual. For modern musical theatre singers and pop singers, classical training is essential to healthful belt mix and promoting longevity of the voice. For aspiring classical singers, technique training is ideally supplemented with repertoire coaching. On our recommendation, students schedule lesson time with highly qualified rep coaches who will work on interpretation, diction, early music ornamentation, phrasing and the legato line.
Musical Theatre Program
Laurie Nelson's Voice Studio offers special training opportunities for young students interested primarily in musical theatre. For 8th and 9th grade students we might recommend alternating weekly lessons between voice and acting. From sophomore year, a weekly voice lesson is always recommended while maintaining a bi-weekly acting lesson, if possible. Voice study encompasses technique and repertoire, as well as audition support and sight singing/music theory tutoring as needed. Our acting coaches support the student in developing a solid approach to character development, improvisation skills, monologue selection and development as well as specific audition support as needed.
Read a full professional bio for Laurie Nelson at www.voiceanddrum.com/VS/LN/index.html
Our studio is well established, with 27 years' experience successfully preparing singers to meet their varied goals. If Laurie Nelson's roster is full, we have several wonderful staff teachers for both acting and voice, who have been well trained in our approach and whose students enjoy full access to our extensive music library, opportunities and activities.
Meet Our Staff:
shares her passion for music in several venues. She is an elementary school music teacher in Fairfax County, a private voice instructor, and a proud director of children's musical theater programs. Upon earning her Bachelor of Music from James Madison University, Ms. Kieffer returned to Northern Virginia and performs frequently throughout the DC area. Riverbend Opera Company: Children in the Mist, a Horror Opera (Amanda Dumfries), Tales of Hoffmann (Olympia), La Rondine (Bianca); Washington Savoyards: Treemonisha, Trial by Jury; James Madison University: National Anthem (featured graduation soloist), Cosi fan tutte (Despina), Angelique (Angelique), The Merry Widow (Valencienne, Grisette Girl), Die Zauberflöte (Queen of the Night), Street Scene; Kennedy Center: The Unicorn, the Gorgan, and the Manticore, In Dal Choi's Farewell Recital (featured soloist); Virginia Concert & Opera Theatre: Too Many Sopranos (Miss Titmouse), The Impresario (Madame Heartmelt), Die Zauberflöte (spirit); Staunton Music Festival: Acis and Galatea, Semele, Dido and Aeneas Vivaldi's Gloria (soloist); International: Suor Angelica (Suor Osmina), Die Zauberflöte.
is a professional actress and singer based in the Washington DC area. She has performed regionally with the Shakespeare Theatre Company (An Ideal Husband, Mrs. Warren’s Profession), The Lyric Stage Company of Boston (Kiss Me, Kate) and Olney Theatre Center (Camelot). She created the role of Marilyn in Why Pluto Is A Planet as part of the 2011 Samuel French Off-Off Broadway play festival. In her most recent project, Caitlin created the role of May in the world premiere of Stopgap at the 2012 Capital Fringe Festival. Caitlin holds a BFA in Musical Theater from Emerson College.
is a native of the Northern Virginia area. Chesapeake Shakespeare Company: Pride and Prejudice (Charlotte), Romeo and Juliet (Lady Montague/ ensemble); Maryland Shakespeare Festival: Much Ado About Nothing (Hugh Oatcake), Titus Andronicus (Quintus), Shakespeare Alive! tour (ensemble); Synapse Theater Company: The Miracle Worker (Annie Sullivan); Winchester Little Theater: Doubt (Sister James). Other acting credits include: The Comedy of Errors (Adriana), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Titania), Lysistrata (Calonice). Lindsey is currently a full-time teaching artist with the Maryland Shakespeare Festival working with the "Riotous Youth" program and Shakespeare Alive! tour. Training: Shenandoah Conservatory, BFA Acting, cum laude; "Shakespeare and Company" Intensive.
Who we are:
A note from Laurie Nelson:
You will find full information on our studio website, www.voiceanddrum.com. We named our website "voice and drum," because I sing and teach voice while my husband, Brad Davis, plays and teaches drums. We are an interesting match...the opera singer and the rock drummer. As you might imagine, we have a noisy house. You will also find us listed as NM Productions, Inc., Voice and Drum. NM Productions is the mother company formed 27 years ago to encompass our musical and artistic pursuits.
More Links:
Our youtube channel exclusively features studio members' performances.
www.youtube.com/user/voiceanddrum
Find us on facebook:
www.facebook.com/VoiceandDrumLessons
