Welcome to the second edition of the Studio Spotlight featuring thirteen year old Lisa Moore!

Lisa Moore

How long have you studied with Toni Crowder

About two years.

How old are you?

13 (May 11)

What have you gained from taking private lessons?

My voice has become louder, and I feel more confident in myself.  I love Ms. Toni!

What have you enjoyed the most about taking lessons?

I can sing really loud in front of people without getting scared. My voice has gotten much stronger and I am more confident.

What are your goals?

To become a gospel singer or a music therapist.

Have you been able to apply your voice lessons to other singing opportunities?

Yes a little bit, but I think I should do more. Right now I have to deal with age limits, but I plan to do much more in the future. I would love to do something like American Idol.

Do you think you have used your singing skills in other areas?

Yes at church. When I am singing certain songs and solos I use my opera voice. It helps me show people that I am not this little girl but more like an adult singer.

“I think people should push themselves to do better. You might not be the next Beyonce, but everyone can get better and improve!”

It has been exciting to hear and see Lisa’s voice develop.  When she began working on the song Part of Your World, she enjoyed the piece so much that it was fun to see her take real ownership of the song.  She really hit a turning point.  At thirteen, it is exciting to think about the opportunities that are ahead for her!

Read Previous Studio Spotlight Editions here

• Studio Spotlight featuring Nate Witwer

Nate Witwer

Welcome to the first Studio Spotlight!  Studio Spotlight will feature a student who is taking private voice lessons. Since I have a wide variety of students achieving such diverse goals, I wanted to share their stories and successes with everyone.  Our first spotlight interview will feature Nate Witwer.

How long have you studied with me?

Two and a half months.

What prompted you to take voice lessons at this time, and have you studied privately before?

I have taken several months of private SKYPE lessons for singing Rock and Roll. I have always had a passing interest in studying classical, and on an impulse I decided to Google opera teachers in the area and found Toni’s website.

What have you gained from taking private lessons, and what are your long-term goals?

I have increased my range.  I want to continue increasing my range and cultivating a rich sound throughout my voice. I come from a composition background, and I have an eclectic taste in music. In addition to studying classical voice, I am also a victim of musical ADD in that I play guitar, violin, bass, mandolin, piano, etc. I am currently working on two Avant-garde musical projects.

It has been such a pleasure to work with Nate, as he brings such a diverse musical background to his studies.  It is very exciting to see him grow in this new area.

Stay tuned for the next Studio Spotlight and learn what other voice students are accomplishing.

Megan Walton, Soprano Photo Courtesy of Hartwood Photography

Congrats Ladies!

Megan Walton took first place in the Fredericksburg Festival of the Arts Young Artist Competition 2013!  She received a $500 check, and she will perform next year as a guest soloist with the Rappahannock POPS Orchestra.

Temple Hammen, Soprano Photo Courtesy of Lisa Munoz

Temple Hammen took first place in the Stafford Regional Choral Society Scholarship competition.  She received a $750 check, and she will perform next year as a guest soloist with the Stafford Regional Choral Society.

Temple was the only High School student in the region to advance in the Classical Singer High School Competition, and she will perform in Boston in the next round of competition.

She has also made call backs for several very prestigious music schools including, Curtis Institute of Music, Indiana University, and Shepard School of Music in Houston, TX.

Jamie Hauber, Soprano Photo Courtesy of Lisa Munoz

Jamie Hauber took first place in the 2012 Fredericksburg Festival of the Arts Young Artist Competition, and she will be performing on March 2nd with the Rappahannock POPS Orchestra.  Click here to purchase tickets, and come support this talented young lady!

Congratulations to the following students who made All District Choir 2012.   Good luck on your concert this weekend.

• Natasha Early
• Morgan Frazier
• Danielle Forand
• Temple Hammen
• Amelia Letkiewiecz
• Lindsey Manuel
• Moriah Morris
• Indi Mecham
• Shannon Raczynski
• Patrick Siegmund
• Cameron Skinner
• Megan Walton

Save the Date!

The next studio recital will be held on Sunday, May 19th at 6pm at the Downtown Rappahannock Regional Library.

Image Courtesy of Lisa Munoz

Megan Walton, Soprano Photo Courtesy of Hartwood Photography

Our very own Megan Walton competes tonight, Saturday, January 19, 2013 at the Fredericksburg Festival for the Performing Arts Young Artist Competition.  Tonight is the final round at 7:30 pm at Chancellor Baptist Church.  The Young Artist Competition will select a first place winner in both the vocalist and instrumental categories.

Last year, Jaime Hauber took first place in the vocal competition.   As first prize winner Jaime won a $500 scholarship and will be performing as a guest soloist with the Rappahannock POPS Orchestra on March 2, 2013.  This year’s winner will also receive a $500 scholarship and an invitation to perform next year with the orchestra.

I am very proud of both of these young ladies and all of my many talented students and their recent successes.

You’re Invited!

All current and former voice students are invited to a holiday drop in reunion party.  I would love to see you again and hear your stories.  Bring your pictures from shows and concerts, music to share, and come serenade your friends!  Your parents are welcome to join us.

Please help spread the word by sharing with students you know who may have studied voice with me in the past.  It would be great to see current students as well as those who have recently graduated and those from many years ago.

Date: Saturday, December 22nd, 2012

Time: 2:30pm – 6:30pm (drop in any time and stay as long as you like)

Where: My home 3211 Cavalry Ridge Court, Fredericskburg, VA 22408

The fall recital will be held on Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 6:00pm at the downtown Rappahannock Regional Library in Fredericksburg.  More information about Saturday’s dress rehearsal will be coming soon.  Looking forward to a great recital!

I would be delighted for you to attend the following upcoming free concerts by these very talented singers.

Sunday, August 5th at 3:00pm

• Caitlin Rosedale and MacKenzie Fox will be presenting at duet recital.
• This recital will be held at my home, 3211 Cavalry Ridge Ct, Fredericksburg, VA 22408.

Sunday, August 12th at 6:00 pm

• Juniors and Seniors only farewell recital.
• Presented by Holly Maglin, Lindsey Manuel, Morgan Frazier, Temple Hammen, Rebecca Klopp, and Megan Walton.
• This recital will be held at the downtown Fredericksburg Regional Library in the concert room.

Tuesday, August 14th at 6:00 pm

• Bree Jordan, a very talented voice major who is home for the summer will be presenting a solo recital.
• This recital will also be held at my home.

Hope you will be able to attend! Please feel free to invite your friends and those you know who might be interested in private voice lessons.

I’m delighted to announce I will be performing every Saturday in June at Vita Felice in Fredericksburg, VA from 6:30 to 8:30pm!  Come enjoy classic love songs, Italian love songs, and Broadway hits.

I hope to see you tonight (June 9th) 6:30-8:30pm.

Toni Crowder Vocal Studio Recital

When: Sunday, May 6 at 4:00 p.m.

Where: Brooke Point High School, Stafford, VA

1700 Courthouse Road, Stafford, VA 22554

Cost: FREE

Come and enjoy performances of Broadway Songs, Italian & German Art Songs and Italian Arias.

Student Reminders

Don’t forget to pay the $35 recital fee by Sunday, May 6th. This fee helps cover some of the cost for our wonderful accompanist, Audrey Peterbark Ross. Bring your performance shoes to the rehearsal on Saturday at 4:00. You will need to be at the school at 3:30 on Sunday to warm up and get ready for the concert.

I am excited to share this new video featuring four of my adult voice students. Gary Wright, Steven Shellburne, Dali Burgado, and Sarah Joseph all share their experiences taking private voice lessons with me. I hope you enjoy the video and will share it with your friends.

If one of your friends pays for one month of voice lessons with me, you will receive a $40 referral thank you. Please share via email, Facebook or your other social “hangouts.” Enjoy!

Toni Crowder
Voice Teacher (Fredericksburg,VA)
540-455-3405