Makmuzc Voice Studio

Getting to know the studio...

  • Welcome to the awesome adventure of developing your unique voice in a positive and constructive environment. You will experience the opportunity to grow as a vocal artist and performer, so let's begin...

EXPECTATIONS:

     FROM ME:

  • Expertise to recognize the possibilities your voice offers you.
  • The ability to design and implement exercises to enhance those possibilities.
  • Willingness to search for repertoire that masterfully serves you and your voice.

     FROM YOU:

  • Enter the studio with a desire to expand your talent.
  • Be willing to explore various vocal exercises designed specifically for you and your goals as a singer.
  • Come prepared to record your lesson with phone, iPad, etc. so that practicing between lessons becomes more accessible.
  • And, yes, practice on your own, providing greater growth potential.

STUDIO LOCATION:

     1355 White Marsh Road

     Suffolk, VA 23434

     Cell Phone: 757-641-8235

PARKING:

    Right side of the driveway - pull off to the right beyond the bush.

    Please enter through the front door.

SUPPLIES NEEDED EVERY WEEK:

  • One inch sturdy binder to house your sheet music and any repertoire books in which you may be working
  • Pencil in your binder
  • Recording device
  • Water

The instructor will occasionally provide copies of music, however, the student will at times be expected to purchase music in various forms to build their individual collection and to adhere to copyright laws. 

REPERTOIRE SOURCES:

LESSON FEES:

  • $25 per 30 min. lesson
  • $45 per 60 min. lesson
  • Discount for multiple family members taking lessons back to back
  • Fees include: Lesson instruction, paper/ink/supplies for printing repertoire, participation in both master class and recital.
  • Fees do not include: Music purchased by the student and the accompanist fee

PAYMENT:

  • Payment at the time of the lesson is preferred, but other options are also available - please discuss with the instructor.
  • Cash or checks are the preferable means of payment, making the check payable to Toni Cotturone.  
    • Please list the lesson dates in the memo line of your check (ex. 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30).
    • If cash, attach a note with your name and list the lesson dates as above.
  • Zelle through your bank is also a viable option.

ATTENDANCE/CANCELLATION:

  • Arriving on time is the responsibility of the student. If delayed, please text your ETA. Your lesson will end on time, regardless of arrival time to ensure that students following your lesson are given their allotted time.
  • If a cancellation is unavoidable, a 24 hour advanced notice is expected. Lesson fees will not be refunded or credited if this policy is not adhered to.
  • In case of a sudden illness, send a text prior to 9:00 am on the day of the lesson.
  • If aware of upcoming interruptions to the lesson time, omit that lesson fee from your payment and notify Mrs. Cotturone so that the lesson slot may be made available to another student for makeup lessons, etc.
  • Lessons canceled by the instructor will be rescheduled or lesson fee not charged.
  • In case of inclement weather, the studio will adhere to the decisions made by public schools and government entities. Emails and texts will be sent to notify students and parents that are affected on a daily basis.
  • It is imperative that if you are involved in a musical production, you continue to make your lesson slot a priority. Lesson slots cannot be held open for undetermined lengths of time before they are reassigned.

COMMUNICATION:

  • To notify Mrs. Cotturone of tardiness or cancellation, PLEASE TEXT the information to 757-641-8235. Calls cannot be taken nor emails read while teaching, but a text can be read and the information received without interrupting the lesson in progress.
  • For all other communication, please email to arcotturone@gmail.com or call 757-641-8235 and leave a message. I will respond as soon as I get a free moment.
  • Please keep Mrs. Cotturone informed of any physical, emotional or developmental issues that may affect the learning environment of the student. It is a priority of this studio to make the interaction between student and instructor as positive and productive as possible.

STUDIO ETIQUETTE:

Please enter through the front door. If you arrive before your scheduled time, enter quietly and take a seat in the studio. Parents and/or guardians of minors may observe the lesson at the discretion of the student's comfort. 

LESSON SCHEDULING:

  • Specific days allotted for teaching will be designated once the fall schedule begins to take shape.
  • A buffer of 10 - 15 minutes will be added in between lessons to allow for easy transitions between students.
  • Lesson slots will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis. Typically, the slot a student chooses will remain theirs throughout the academic year - after Labor Day to Memorial Day.  If an adjustment needs to be made, please email Mrs. Cotturone. The lesson schedule/calendar can be accessed on My Music Staff website.
  • An alternate lesson schedule will be created for the summer months of June through August due to changes in school, work, etc. schedules. This will be addressed through email in the spring.
  • Students who are discontinuing lessons must give a 30 day notice in order to open that time slot to other singers or to those on a wait-list.

PRACTICING:

  • There is a direct correlation between mindfully practicing throughout the week and the progress made as a vocalist.
  • Purposefully making time (20 min.) to review your lesson's exercises on a daily basis (4 -5 times/week), will make your time in the studio that much more rewarding.

WELLNESS & ILLNESS:

  • Please do not attend your lesson if you are contagious or have a fever. Viruses spread so easily if one student brings those germs into the studio.
  • If you are not contagious, but still not in good voice, consider attending your lesson. Musicianship, repertoire study, breathing technique, listening, etc. can still be addressed.
  • You are a vocal athlete and are responsible for the health of your instrument. Refrain from misusing your voice. Eat well, drink lots of water, exercise and get sufficient sleep. STAY HEALTHY!!!

RECITAL & MASTER CLASS:

  • The recital and master class are the celebration and culmination of your work throughout the year and are highly recommended, although not mandatory. These provide opportunities for you to work with an accompanist, share your progress and repertoire with an appreciative audience, and experience the joy and satisfaction of solo performance. Participation is expected, but if extenuating circumstances prohibit you from performing, please discuss this privately with Mrs.Cotturone.
  • There will be one scheduled recital and one scheduled master class in the spring. The master class will take place prior to the recital to prepare for the performance. Email announcements will be sent to inform and remind you of these events.

ACCOMPANIST:

You will have the opportunity to work with a professional accompanist for your performance. Piano accompaniment recordings and master class and recital accompanying will be provided. NOTE: The student will be responsible for paying the accompanist directly for these benefits. The fee will be determined months before the event and will be emailed to you so that you will be aware of the cost in plenty of time. If desired, you may also contract your own accompanist.