Emily Bender

Style: Pop; Jazz; Folk; Classical; Musical Theatre

Title: Voice Teacher and Soprano

Bio:

My passion is bringing the joy of music and the skills needed for success to people of all ages. As a Kodaly-trained teacher, I use intuitive and fun tools to teach a high level of musicianship to my students, no matter their level of experience. I love helping students achieve their musical goals and develop themselves as performers and musicians.

One of my happiest moments as a teacher was seeing the vocal skills of one of my students catch up to her dramatic skills, so she could deliver a fantastic performance.

Born into a choral family, I was attending choir rehearsals as soon as they would let me. I sang in school and church choirs growing up, and sang my first church solo at age 3. At age 10, I started performing in musicals, and continued that throughout high school and college. For the past 25 years, I have sung and soloed with numerous groups, including: Tanglewood Festival Chorus and Coro Allegro in Boston; San Francisco Bach Choir, Pacific Mozart Ensemble, and Goat Hall Productions. As a member of the Grammy-nominated Pacific Mozart Ensemble I performed in Carnegie Hall, singing with the ensemble and soloing as part of the celebration of 40 years of Meredith Monk’s music. I currently sing with the award-winning women's sextet, Solstice. In addition to Solstice’s recordings, you can hear me on AXIOS, a recording of greek hymns. I hold a BA in French from Oberlin, an MA in Interdisciplinary Art from San Francisco State and a Certificate in Kodály Music Education from Holy Names University. I am pursuing my an MA in Voice Pedagogy from the Voice Study Centre in the UK, and I expect to graduate in 2023. I current serve as the soprano section leader and soloist, as well as early elementary choir director at First Congregational Church of Palo Alto. I am on the faculty at Clocktower Music School in San Carlos, CA, and I teach choral classes children and youth in the local area.

Voice Type: Soprano

Music Styles Taught: Pop; Jazz; Folk; Classical; Musical Theatre

Availability: I am available as a performer; I have a wait-list for private lessons; I am available as a clinician or presenter; I offer lessons in a group environment

Contact Information