Voice Lessons
This page contains a lot of useful information about the Sarah Jebian Voice Studio as well as answers to many FAQs. While it is strongly recommended that you take the time to read through this information, time is often a precious commodity! If you want to skip all this and schedule an introductory lesson with me, click here.
PhilosophyMy philosophy is that truly great singing comes from excellent technique of course, but even more important is the emotional connection and sense of joy and freedom that comes from telling a great story through music. My goal as your teacher is to give you the technical foundation for a lifetime of healthy singing and to help you find YOUR voice through music that moves your spirit and touches your heart!
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ExperienceI am a classically trained soprano who has studied with a variety of private voice teachers over the past 20 years, specifically in the Bel Canto singing method. I've spent the majority of my professional performing career in musical theater and in rock bands. What sets me apart from many other teachers is that I bring my extensive experience as a stage actress, director, choreographer and producer to my teaching studio. You can read more about my education, awards and professional experience here.
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The Brass Tacks
I teach beginning and intermediate level students at my home in Northern Virginia. Using the building blocks of classical training, I specialize in pop, jazz, musical theater, and choral/sacred music. I also offer project-based coaching services to advanced students as well as artistic project development for groups and individuals. Lessons are generally given on a weekly basis and are scheduled according to the availability of both student & teacher.
Studio Offerings
Private Lessons (Ages 10 - adult)
Private lessons for older children, teens and adults will focus on the foundations of healthy singing - breath, posture, & placement. Using exercises based in the classical Bel Canto tradition we will work to create a free and easy sound, expand vocal range, and sharpen sight reading and ear training skills. Students will work with a series of assigned music and music of their own choosing.
Ages 10-12, 30 minutes*, weekly. $35/lesson; Ages 13-adult, 45 minutes, weekly. $50/lesson.
*Suggested duration of lesson for this age group but there are exceptions to every rule!
Master Classes
These group lessons will be scheduled approximately every other month. Singers will have the opportunity to learn from those around them and practice the art of singing in front of others in a friendly, supportive environment. All private students are encouraged to attend these classes. $15/private students or $25/non-studio members. Click here for more information about upcoming master classes.
Other Services
Coaching - $60/hour
Are you an experienced singer who just needs an outside ear to listen and advise? Do you have an important audition coming up? Are you preparing a solo for your church choir event? Do you have a specific vocal problem you're working on? These are perfect coaching opportunities. Coaching is different from ongoing lessons in that they are generally short-lived commitments, and we work on very specific tasks versus overall technique. I offer coaching appointments for both singing and acting. (NOTE: if you are preparing for an audition, please plan ahead and contact me 4-6 weeks in advance of your audition. Good auditions take time to prepare.)
Program Development/Design - $75/hour
If you've ever dreamed of creating your own cabaret act but aren't sure where to begin, look no further. One of my favorite things to do is to create beautiful, compelling, emotionally-charged music programs from the ground up. I will help you find the best music for your voice and fine-tune the story you want to tell so that you end up with a cohesive, smooth, entertaining piece of art. I'm also available to direct/choreograph your project, offer voice/performance coaching and to assist with marketing your project - a one-stop shop! This service is available for individual clients and groups.
Private lessons for older children, teens and adults will focus on the foundations of healthy singing - breath, posture, & placement. Using exercises based in the classical Bel Canto tradition we will work to create a free and easy sound, expand vocal range, and sharpen sight reading and ear training skills. Students will work with a series of assigned music and music of their own choosing.
Ages 10-12, 30 minutes*, weekly. $35/lesson; Ages 13-adult, 45 minutes, weekly. $50/lesson.
*Suggested duration of lesson for this age group but there are exceptions to every rule!
Master Classes
These group lessons will be scheduled approximately every other month. Singers will have the opportunity to learn from those around them and practice the art of singing in front of others in a friendly, supportive environment. All private students are encouraged to attend these classes. $15/private students or $25/non-studio members. Click here for more information about upcoming master classes.
Other Services
Coaching - $60/hour
Are you an experienced singer who just needs an outside ear to listen and advise? Do you have an important audition coming up? Are you preparing a solo for your church choir event? Do you have a specific vocal problem you're working on? These are perfect coaching opportunities. Coaching is different from ongoing lessons in that they are generally short-lived commitments, and we work on very specific tasks versus overall technique. I offer coaching appointments for both singing and acting. (NOTE: if you are preparing for an audition, please plan ahead and contact me 4-6 weeks in advance of your audition. Good auditions take time to prepare.)
Program Development/Design - $75/hour
If you've ever dreamed of creating your own cabaret act but aren't sure where to begin, look no further. One of my favorite things to do is to create beautiful, compelling, emotionally-charged music programs from the ground up. I will help you find the best music for your voice and fine-tune the story you want to tell so that you end up with a cohesive, smooth, entertaining piece of art. I'm also available to direct/choreograph your project, offer voice/performance coaching and to assist with marketing your project - a one-stop shop! This service is available for individual clients and groups.
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Student Recommendations
I had the pleasure of being one of Sarah’s students when I attended Saratoga High School from 1997 to 2001. She instructed me in acting, singing, and dance. An experienced and skillful instructor, Sarah taught me technique, expression, and artistry in all areas of performance. Sarah went above and beyond in helping me and my classmates to grow as performers. She spent extra hours with me when I needed individual assistance, and she approached challenges from different angles until she found the best way for me to learn. Sarah set high standards for her students—encouraging us to discover our full potential and create beautiful art—but she was also a flexible, sensitive leader, adapting to students’ individual needs.
Sarah cultivated in me a strong sense of professionalism and pride in my work, challenging me to grow in all areas of performance. Under Sarah’s instruction, I won several awards for my performances.
Sarah is a compassionate, deeply caring teacher, well-suited for work with youth. She is sensitive to the particular needs of young people, providing guidance and counselling when needed. My high school had a notoriously stressful atmosphere, and I remember how helpful Sarah was to me when I felt overwhelmed by this stress. She taught me coping skills and reassured me that every person was special and valuable.
Sarah’s creative teaching style and her own passion for performance helped me and other teenage students discover for ourselves the magic of performing arts.
- Chelsea Purvis, former student
Sarah cultivated in me a strong sense of professionalism and pride in my work, challenging me to grow in all areas of performance. Under Sarah’s instruction, I won several awards for my performances.
Sarah is a compassionate, deeply caring teacher, well-suited for work with youth. She is sensitive to the particular needs of young people, providing guidance and counselling when needed. My high school had a notoriously stressful atmosphere, and I remember how helpful Sarah was to me when I felt overwhelmed by this stress. She taught me coping skills and reassured me that every person was special and valuable.
Sarah’s creative teaching style and her own passion for performance helped me and other teenage students discover for ourselves the magic of performing arts.
- Chelsea Purvis, former student
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As my teacher/mentor Sarah’s significant talent, rich and varied performance background and intuitive gifts have gently pushed me to take my own vocal and performance skills to a new level of professional competence.
- Lydia Lewis, coaching student We found Sarah after trying several other coaches, and we’ve thanked our lucky stars ever since! She gives us expert guidance for every aspect of performing – vocal technique, stage presence, designing a show – always with patience and enthusiasm. Plus, she can choreograph any song to knock your socks off, without knocking your knees out!
- Janet Van der Veer, The Dashboard Divas |
Sarah Jebian has helped our trio move from a competent vocal ensemble to a confident performance act. Sarah has the insight and intellect to translate her performing experience into direct and unambiguous advice and direction that works. Sarah is fun to work with – loving but firm in delivering her opinions on what works and what doesn’t work. Sarah has these great ideas for movement that sharpens our stage presence. Sarah is tough love in an elegant, encouraging, and persuasive package. Sarah has the vocabulary and conveys, with a single sentence, a totally new way to think about why we are on stage and transforms our performance from competent to Wow! Sarah hands us the tools for better singing, coordinated moving, higher performing, and effective promoting.
- Leslie Bowen, The Dashboard Divas |
