About Courtenay
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Are you a friendly person?
No. Wait–yes. Yes, very friendly :)
How are you trained to teach voice technique?
See Training & Experience, below, for a complete list, but here are some highlights:
2024 Northwest Voice Conference
2023
Singing Voice Specialist practicum
Dr. Trineice Robinson-Martin workshop on cultural appropriation and Black Gospel Performance
2020 New England Conservatory’s Acoustic Vocal Pedagogy workshop
Ongoing attendance at numerous voice science and musical theatre education workshops and conferences
Ongoing membership in key professional associations and related journal subscriptions (e.g. Musical Theatre Educators Alliance, National Association of Teachers of Singing, The Voice Foundation)
Ongoing study with international voice experts, for over 20 years
Eight years of training in Speech Level Singing technique and related methods
Formal singing, speech, and acting training during BFA at York University
What other training do you have?
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, Honours in Music, York University.
Bachelor of Education Degree, Music Specialist, University of British Columbia.
What else do you do, musically?
I'm also a musical director and pianist. I play for and direct musical theatre shows, cruise ship showbands, jazz ensembles, original artists, and cover bands. Recently, I’ve performed and musical directed with:
Arts Club Theatre (Avenue Q substitute pianist/Musical Director)
Studio 58, Langara College (Grease pianist/Musical Director)
The Famous Players Band – Vancouver-based cover band (keyboards/Musical Director)
Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises
Have you accompanied or musical directed any famous people?
Yes, many! Some highlights include:
Krystal L. Washington (Mimi in Rent)
Mark Preston (of The Lettermen)
Pamela Blake (star of Broadway Evita)
Michelle Murlin (Fantine in Broadway Les Miserables)
Philippa Healey (Cosette in London Les Miserables)
I also coach many local and national theatre professionals. See Client Testimonials for more details.
Do you have experience working with high school age students?
Yes–tons. We seem to get along great. See Singing Lessons for Teens for more.
Do you perform as a singer, yourself?
Yes. I’ve sung background vocals in various bands, and as a solo singer-pianist for various venues and functions. Mainly, though, I sing at cast parties leading cheesy pop sing-a-longs.
Do you like animals?
Yup! (But there are no pets here, if that’s a concern.)
Is that really your car?
Yes. Stop laughing.
What else do you do?
I’m really into cooking, reading, hiking, skiing, photography, making espresso, eating croissants, hanging out with family and friends, watching movies, and napping.
Training:
The most important training I've received comes from two expert sources:
Seth Riggs, Los Angeles-based voice teacher to Stevie Wonder, Kelly Clarkson, Prince, Julie Andrews, Josh Groban, Bernadette Peters, Ray Charles, Madonna, and countless other pop and Broadway, and opera stars--over 130 Grammy and Tony winners, all told.
Mr. Riggs founded the Speech Level Singing (SLS) method and started a worldwide teacher training and certification program that I was a part of from 2008-2013.
I studied directly with Mr. Riggs from 2011-2013.Dr Ingo Titze, voice scientist, based in Utah and Colorado. Dr Titze is probably the most published and cited voice scientist in the world. Studying Dr. Titze’s books and in-person with him at seminars in Utah helped me better understand why the exercises I was taught as an SLS teacher might work so well, and how I could better build on what I'd learned to grow beyond the SLS method.
Degrees and Certificates Held:
2018: Bachelor of Education, Music Specialist Degree, with International Baccalaureate Certificate in Teaching and Learning. Awarded Margaret Cameron Scholarship in Teacher Education.
1997: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Honours in Music degree from York University.
Professional Affilliations:
Ongoing:
National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS)
The Voice Foundation (TVF)
Intermittent:
Musical Theatre Educators Alliance (MTEA)
New York Singing Teachers’ Association (NYSTA)
American Federation of Musicians (AFM)
Acoustical Society of America (ASA)
Past:
Speech Level Singing International (SLS); Six years. Area representative for Pacific Northwest.
International Voice Teachers of Mix (IVTOM); Six years
Institute of Vocal Advancement (IVA); Three years
Training:
2024:
Northwest Voice Conference - U Washington conference for SLPs, Laryngologists and singing teachers focused on mostly medical and vocal science aspects of professional voice
Dr. Ingo Titze webinar via VOCO.org. Topics covered included whistle register, belt and mix, and extreme vocal effects
2023:
Formed voice care team relationships with laryngologists in Vancouver, Los Angeles, and Portland
Singing Voice Specialist Practicum under Dr. Kari Ragan - a 6-week small cohort class to present and get feedback on working with and ‘habilitating’ injured or recently recovered singers who have been cleared for voice lessons by their laryngologist
Dr. Trineice Robinson-Martin workshop on cultural appropriation and Black Gospel performance
Northwest Voice Conference
2022:
Voice research mentorship under Kayla Gautereaux, Assistant Vocal Pedagogy Director and Voice Lab Manager at New England Conservatory, Boston. Investigated ways to better determine range expectations for pop-based singers and examine measurable differences in mix, ‘high belt,’ and ‘old-school belt’ timbres.
2021:
Vocology in Practise - Fall Voice Conference
Vocal First Aid certification
Motor Learning Theory training
Private study with Chadley Ballentyne, developer of several unique pop vocal tools and insights
2020:
Attended online masterclasses with Kelli O’Hara and Laura Osnes.
Private study with Kenneth Bozeman and Chadley Ballentyne, eminent voice professors specialized in applying the science of vocal acoustics to singing pedagogy. (Vocal acoustics is key to unlocking mix and belt timbres at higher ranges—crucial for pop and theatre singing)
New England Conservatory’s Acoustic Vocal Pedagogy Workshop, taught by important voice science researcher and teacher Ian Howell, among others
New England Conservatory’s Online Teaching Technology Course
Private study with Mindy Frandsen Pack, singing voice rehabilitation specialist, tour vocal coach for Justin Timberlake, Miley Cirus, and many other international recording stars
National Association of Teachers of Singing Virtual Conference
The Voice Foundation’s Online Symposium, organized by Dr. Reena Gupta and Mindy Frandsen Pack
The Voice Forum Online Conference
2019:
Private study with John Henny, Los Angeles based teacher to many pop and theatre stars
2017-18:
Bachelor of Education, Music Specialist Degree, with International Baccalaureate Certificate in Teaching and Learning. Awarded Margaret Cameron Scholarship in Teacher Education
2015-2016:
Education degree prerequisites at UBC including Choral Pedagogy, Choral Conducting, and Instrumental Conducting
2015:
Estill training course in Vancouver
Somatic Voicework Method training, led by founder Jeannette LoVetri, a prominent New York-based voice coach to many Broadway and pop stars
2014:
Voice Symposium in Salt Lake City, led by Dr. Ingo Titze (see above). Also presenting was Dr. Reena Gupta, a laryngologist to many stars in the Los Angeles area
Workshop on vocal health issues led by local speech language pathologist, Shelagh Davies
2011-2013:
Studied with Seth Riggs, teacher to Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban, Julie Andrews, Ben Vereen, Bernadette Peters, Kelly Clarkson, and many more
2012:
Studied with Jeffrey Skouson (Las Vegas). Notable clients include The Killers, Imagine Dragons, Panic! At the Disco, as well as numerous Disney stars, and finalists on American Idol and The Voice
2011:
Speech Level Singing Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah
2009:
Seth Riggs Teaching Observation, Los Angeles
Speech Level Singing (SLS) Teachers Conference in Los Angeles
2008: Joined Speech Level Singing
1997-2007:
Voice Lessons with Spencer Welch (part-time)
note: 1997-2007 was mostly spent musical directing for shows, Famous Players Band, and playing/conducting on cruise ships.
1997: BFA Honours in Music degree from York University
1994-1997: Piano and conducting lessons with Paul Sportelli, musical director of Miss Saigon, Beauty & the Beast, and the Shaw Festival.
1994-1997: Music Production Assistant for Toronto pre-Broadway ‘try-outs’ of Ragtime (Hal Prince, Director) and Jane Eyre (John Caird, director)
1994: Music Production Assistant for Livent’s Music of the Night (Scott Ellis, Director)
1994-1995: Voice Lessons/Observation with Bill Vincent (Toronto). Bill Vincent was and early Speech Level Singing Master Teacher and the vocal consultant for Miss Saigon in Toronto and on faculty at Sheridan College
1994-1995: Studied Alexander Technique in Vancouver and Toronto. This technique teaches performers how to attain a high degree of muscle awareness and relaxed healthy posture while singing/speaking/performing, which can reduce vocal strain
1993-1994: Classical Voice/Teaching Observation: David Astor, Capilano College
1992: Speech Level Singing (SLS) Workshop w Bill Vincent
Select Experience:
Equity/Professional Musical Theatre:
Arts Club Theatre:
Avenue Q (Keyboard / Associate MD)
Western Canada Theatre:
The Last Five Years (Piano / MD)
The Dreamer’s Quest (Piano / Bandleader)
Feisty Fairy Productions:
Songs for a New World (Piano/MD)
Semi-Professional Musical Theatre:
Vancouver Theatre Under the Stars:
Jesus Christ Superstar (Conductor / MD)
UR Productions (URP.ca):
Jesus Christ Superstar (Keyboards / MD)
Cats (Piano / MD)
High School Musical 2 (Keyboards / MD)
Little Shop of Horrors (Piano / MD)
Cabaret (Piano / MD)
Evita (Conductor / MD)
Closer Than Ever (Piano / MD)
College:
Studio 58:
Grease (Piano / MD)
Youth-Oriented:
Festival Adjudication:
Pacific West Performing Arts Festival
Summer Programs:
Arts Club Musical Theatre Intensive
Richmond Gateway Summer Musical Theatre Program
Broadway Bound International Workshops
High Schools:
Musical/Vocal Direction for numerous productions at:
Crofton House School
Magee Fine Arts
Byng Fine Arts
Rockridge Secondary
Vancouver College
Cruise Ships:
Pianist and/or Musical Director for Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises production show bands. Many contracts, during which I worked with many Pop, Broadway and West End stars.
I am high on Princess’ call list and have been invited to be in the inaugural launch band for three Princess ships, now.
I’m currently in ‘land mode’ for (likely) all of 2022-23, and I will give clients several months of notice if anything changes, but I mention this as some singers might value studying with a bonifide commercial musical director and performer, with insights into the various options for singers on cruise ships, and how to break in (paid travel and practise, great people… ask me!).
Corporate and Wedding Bands:
These bands play a wide variety of pop genres from 1950s, to Motown, to 80s, to modern pop and Hip Hop. As leader for Famous Players Band, I was in charge of the music and singing sounding authentic, and the performances forming an engaging connection with audiences.
Famous Players Band
Musical director / Keyboards / Background Vocals—2004-2016. Famous Players Band has performed throughout Canada and internationally in locations as diverse as New York City, Barcelona, and Beijing, for weddings as well as corporate events for companies like NBC, Mercedes, Microsoft, Verizon and many more.
Side One Band
Keyboards / Background Vocals—2011-ongoing. Side One Band has performed throughout North America and was voted ‘Best Live Entertainment’ at the 2014 Canadian Wedding Awards, plus numerous BC Wedding Awards, continuously, from 2013-2020.
Recording Artists:
Lee Aaron
The Metal Queen, and jazz vocalist
Piano, Keyboards
Christina Sing
Pop/Soul Artist
Keyboards, Background Vocals
Chin Injeti
…of Bass is Base and Funkmobile fame
Keyboards
Television:
Vocal consultant and on-camera musical director for Aliens in America - RENT episode.
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