WHY SING?

VOICE LESSONS IN BURR RIDGE

BRAIN NEUROPLASTICITY

Singing is beneficial for both body and soul. Not only is it fun, but it has been shown that singing, like any creative endeavor, increases neuroplasticity in the brain.

LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF

As we explore the text of a song, we learn something about ourselves and others, giving us the gifts of empathy and openness.

LOWERS STRESS AND ANXIETY

Studies have shown that singing, especially with others, improves our mood and lowers stress and anxiety.

WHY TAKE VOICE LESSONS?

We know that everyone can benefit from singing, but why take lessons? No matter your musical background or experience, all can learn to improve their singing, learn about different musical genres and styles, and feel more confident and gain presence in all aspects of life.

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VOICE

Voice Lessons

You could argue that the voice is man’s first musical instrument! If you can speak, you can sing. Vocalizing / singing has been a part of every culture for hundreds of years, with styles that often reflect the individual language and dialect of the culture from which it springs. Sung text seems to elevate both the singer and the audience in a way that is completely unique.

Singing has been used to tell stories, to worship, to woo, and, we believe, to heal the soul. Singing with a group can reduce loneliness by bringing together like-minded people engaged in the same activity. It can reduce stress and anxiety, boost confidence, and possibly even strengthen the immune system and cardiovascular health.

Bel Canto Academy offers both private and group lessons for children and private lessons for adults.

WHY CHOOSE BEL CANTO MUSIC ACADEMY FOR VOICE LESSONS?

Comprehensive and Tailored

Every voice is unique, and our voice faculty will create a singing/voice lesson program based on your vocal range, experience, and musical interests. Private voice lessons are available to students above age 8, with a variety of musical genres explored based on the student’s interest.

Beginning students can expect to start with fundamentals such as learning proper posture, healthy breath management, and vocalization. More advanced and experienced students will expect to achieve proficiency in advanced vocal technique, musical notation and rhythm, diction and languages, and song interpretation.

Passionate and Qualified Faculty
Convenient Location
Private and Group Lessons
Performance Opportunities
Special Needs and Early Childhood Music Education

Voice Faculty

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Sladjana Saric

Voice Teacher
Sladjana Saric is the founder and director of Bel Canto Music Academy with both master's and bachelor's degrees in Flute Performance from the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad, Serbia. She is an accomplished opera singer and concert performer in both Europe and the United States, and is currently a member of the Grammy-winning Chicago Symphony Chorus and the Lakeside Singers. Sladjana earned her Master’s in Vocal Performance from the Faculty of Music in Belgrade, Serbia, and she earned a specialization degree in Vocal Performance from the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, Hungary in the class of opera star Eva Marton.
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Denise Marguerite Trautmann

Voice Teacher
Denise Trautmann is a classically trained pianist, flutist, soprano and composer. She has performed as a soloist throughout Chicago, New York, and Japan. She has played flute with the Salt Creek Sinfonietta, Manhattan Symphonie, and the New York Opera Forum at Lincoln Center. Denise has also performed with the New York Opera Forum, singing roles such as "Papagena" from Die Zauberflöte. Denise's composition, "Mélodique" was performed by 100 flutes at the 100th anniversary of the New York Flute Club, directed by flutist Nicholas Duchamp. She loves to compose for students and encourages students to use their creative imagination to the fullest. Denise also speaks French and Japanese.
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Michael Coduto

Voice Teacher
Michael Coduto is an active and energetic tenor performing throughout the United States. He has pursued degrees in voice at both the Chicago College of Performing Arts and the University of Colorado at Boulder while singing for choirs such as the Boulder Bach Festival and Chicago’s Grant Park Chorus. He has been the winner of several prestigious competitions, including the Chicago NATS Competition. Michael likes to participate in church activities and volunteer for events during his free time while performing at various parishes throughout Chicagoland. He is extremely excited to bring a wide range of styles and expertise to the Bel Canto Music Academy!
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Lois Shive

Voice Teacher
Lois is a lifelong learner and musician. She started piano lessons and singing at a young age. By 8 th grade, she knew she wanted to be a voice teacher. In college, Lois was a member and soloist in all the school choirs as well as a soloist for the school’s orchestra, performing all over the country. She was an adjunct voice teacher her last 2 years of college. For the last 30+ years, Lois has taught voice and piano lessons in the Chicago area and in Augusta GA. She’s also worked as a vocal coach and accompanist for several schools in the area. She’s sung with numerous groups and choirs, often as a soloist. Lois also worked as a music minister/worship leader in her area churches as well as directing children’s and adult choirs. Lois has been the soprano soloist for Chicago Bach Chamber Chorale as well as singing and soloing with Acappellago in the Western Suburbs. She also sings with Moraine Valley Community Choir and Moraine Valley Chamber Chorale. Lois enjoys sharing her love of music with her students and help them explore their instrument/voice. Until recently, she studied Alexander Technique and continues to use what she’s learned to help her students find ease in their music.
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Matt Piet

Voice Teacher
Matt Piet is a pianist, vocalist, composer, and music director. He was raised in Palos Park, IL, and began playing piano at age ten. By his teens he was an active professional vocal accompanist, actor, and cocktail pianist. After his studies in straight-ahead jazz at Berklee College of Music in Boston MA, Piet shifted gears and began playing mostly improvised music, while maintaining his devotion to teaching as a piano instructor and youth musical theatre director. An active participant in Chicago's vibrant jazz and improvised music scene, Piet has recorded extensively since his return to Chicago in 2015, four of which have been awarded “four stars” by DownBeat Magazine.

Bel Canto’s Private Music Lessons (all ages)

Bel Canto Music Academy offers exceptional private music lessons to students of all ages
and levels. Students work on the fundamentals of reading music, proper technique,
rhythm and pitch in various genres of music to develop their prociency. Our experienced
teachers will help determine the level of the student and align instruction with their
individual musical interest

Bel Canto Voices – Group Voice Lessons for Children Aged 6-10

Prepare your young vocalist to light up the stage with Bel Canto Voices! This group singing class is a unique and unparalleled experience for children ages 6-10. Exploring a variety of genres, students will learn about basic melodic intervals, matching pitch, and dynamics (volume). Students will engage the whole body to create a beautiful sound with an entertaining presentation for voice lessons in a group setting. Enrollment is determined by audition.

 

Learning and performing together enables students to experience the joy of singing together as well as individually, enhancing the development of the whole child.

Bel Canto — Early Childhood Music Classes

The unique Bel Canto Seasons curriculum developed by our faculty emphasizes a variety of genres including world, contemporary, jazz and classical music. Live instrument demonstrations are integrated into classes along with lesson plans that align with performances of the Burr Ridge Symphony Orchestra, Burr Ridge Ballet and Burr Ridge Metropolitan Opera, River Oaks Chamber Orchestra and other local ensembles.

Our wonderful baby music classes, toddler music classes, and pre-school music classes are truly a well rounded approach to understanding musical comparatives and enhance development of the whole child. There is a lot of movement in our children’s music classes and the lessons actively follow through the seasons of the year and holidays of all cultures!

Take the next step...

Call us at 312-838-7087
Write us at info@belcantomusicacademy.com

Request More Info