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Learn with a Pro! Singing/Public Speaking, Bar Mitzvah Prep
Ahdda S.

5.0 (42 ratings)

99 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $85
Contact Ahdda

About Ahdda

Bio

Find your optimum voice, and perform with ease, power and skill, with my holistic and personalized coaching. Are you preparing a singing competition, Bar Mitzvah, business or academic presentation? Doing your first, or 10th public speech? Feeling overwhelmed, afraid, tense or having vocal trouble? Don't struggle alone. Over 28 years of experience teaching children, teens and adults. My lessons are creative, encouraging and individually tailored for your special goals and personality....

Find your optimum voice, and perform with ease, power and skill, with my holistic and personalized coaching. Are you preparing a singing competition, Bar Mitzvah, business or academic presentation? Doing your first, or 10th public speech? Feeling overwhelmed, afraid, tense or having vocal trouble? Don't struggle alone. Over 28 years of experience teaching children, teens and adults. My lessons are creative, encouraging and individually tailored for your special goals and personality. Discover how to access your authentic expression, reduce ongoing tensions and improve posture, voice and breathing. My clients are surprised with how quickly their voice and performance skills improve. MORE ABOUT MY VOICE OR PUBLIC SPEAKING TUTORING: I help clients in Accent reduction and reducing the effects of acute or chronic voice problems.

As a holistic teacher, no matter what subject I'm teaching -- whether it's Language Arts and English, Hebrew for Prayers, Public speaking or Songing, you'll find me supportive, encouraging and adjusting to your learning style.

As an accomplished Cantorial Soloist, I have performed with major USA Synagogues, and have worked as a Hebrew teacher in Sunday Schools. I love to empower young students to find easy and simple ways to master their Bar/Bat mitzvah training. My professional background includes international work as an opera soloist and voice teacher, including in colleges and high schools.

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Education

Indiana University School of Music, Bloomington, IN
Voice, Opera Performance
Indiana University School of Music, Bloomington, IN
Masters

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $85
  • Rate details: OTHER SUBJECTS: $70.00 per hour CANCELLATION FEE: You'll be charged Half of your Lesson Fee, if cancelling less than 24 hours in advance.
  • Lesson cancellation: 24 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 8/27/2013

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

Bible Studies

Bible Studies

For the past twenty five years, as a Cantorial Soloist with major American Synagagues, study of the Jewish Bible has been part of my life. In addition, I have attended weekly bible class at my temple, with a renowned Rabbi, and can help young students with preparations for Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and or Jewish high school Bible classes and interpretations.
English

English

As an online classical music journalist, my editors demand an excellent command of English grammar, spelling, editing and style, along with timely delivery of material. English students also benefit from my professional background as an international performer in classical music, and my 18 years experience as a teacher of vocal and performing arts, with a love and ability to relate to children, teens and adults from different cultures. Adapting to the learning styles of each student, I focus on determining the needs and goals of each student. Along with ensuring a solid foundation in English mechanics, we'll explore a variety of teaching materials and methods including interactive dialogue and analysis.
European History

European History

My educational background includes both independent and classroom studies in European history, during high school, college, and graduate school. As an opera stage director, I had to have a deep knowledge of historical events in Europe that often are portrayed in the librettos and background stories of the opera's in which I performed. As a tutor, I aim to give students a variety of study skills and a multi-level approach to learning European history, including how to memorize certain important dates. I will patiently guide the student to understand and make connections between the social, economic, religious, philosophical, and technological developments in each time period. While helping students analyze and absorb what they learn from school materials, I encourage independent research into original source materials, viewing art and listening to music from that era, reading firsthand accounts, along with historical films, operas and plays depicting that era.
General Music

General Music

I've been a musician all my life, and began my musical career with piano and violin. As a former international opera singer, I've worked with some of the best opera companies. As a private voice teacher, I prepare teens and young adults to acquire a flexible vocal technique to sing a variety of musical styles, auditions, recitals, general music skills, performing roles in musicals, school shows, and more.
Hebrew

Hebrew

I can help prepare young people for the bat and bar mitzvah speeches, reading and chanting from Torah and other religious duties. In addition, I can work on Hebrew idiomatic expressions, conversational Hebrew, and basic reading and writing. As a native born Israeli, I grew up in Los Angeles, but spent many years living in Israel as an adult, performing with the New Israeli Opera and teaching music and singing at the Levinksy Teacher's College.
Literature

Literature

I have have a passion for great literature and poetry from the early Greek and Roman times to modern day. Though I'm continually updating my familiarity with new authors of today, I have a special love and knowledge of Russian and French authors from the 19th to mid-20th century. For the past five years, along with my work as a private classical performing arts specialist, I have informally tutored several young students (8 years old to High School age) in literature and poetry. Whether working with young or adult students, I bring patience and humor to each session, and adjust to the different learning styles of each student. I was required in graduate school to have a comprehensive understanding of great literature from Europe and America as preparation for my career as an opera singer and opera stage director. It was necessary as a professional opera singer to be well versed with the great authors and poets of Western culture, since many operas are based on their works.
Music History

Music History

As a former classically trained violinist, and as an international opera singer, my musical knowledge of western music spans 2,000 years, including modal and sacred music of various traditions. I have a Master's degree in Opera from the Indiana University School of Music, Bloomington, IN, and am well versed in Baroque, Renaissance, Classical, Romantic, Post Modern, and Modern repertoire. In addition, I have experience with pop and folk music of the past 80 years in America, including some of the French Chansons era of the 1950's and specialized knowledge of Israeli Art and Folk Song.
Public Speaking

Public Speaking

As a professional voice coach for speakers and singers, I bring sensitivity to the unique personality and goals of each student. I've trained many teens and adults to discover their optimum voice and give dynamic public speeches in a variety of venues. Some of my adult speakers speak at international conferences, hold events for hundreds of people, or run their own business. For public speaking, I focus on helping you with vocal projection, flow, clarity and delivery of content rather than creating content. However, because of my background as an opera singer, stage director and writer, we'll work together to refine your speech, so that you'll appear natural and comfortable with your material. Students also learn some of my holistic methods that dramatically improve vocal quality, posture and breath, poise and confidence.
Reading

Reading

Reading with skill, comprehension and analysis is closely related to writing cogently about any subject. As a published online music journalist, a professional opera singer and voice teacher, and avid reader of classic literature, I have the educational background and professional experience to help students develop great skills in reading. When I coach students how to learn the words to an aria or song, or a speech from a play, we focus on really understanding what is being sung or acted. As a tutor for reading, I can help students with these same skills when coaching for reading comprehension, plot and character analysis, poetic metaphors, and understanding of other literary devices.
Religion

Religion

Students would benefit from my sensitivity to their unique personalities and learning styles, years of experience as a private tutor, and ability to make difficult subjects fun and accessible. As a mom, I've helped my own child with Jewish Religious studies K - 8th grade and I speak Hebrew fluently. I've had some experience as a religious school teacher for beginning Hebrew, Israeli History and Israeli Dance. In my independent religious studies, I've read many books on Jewish religious practices, studied Kabbalah with the late Rabbi Joseph Gelberman, New York,basic Jewish laws and Halacha, Liturgy and Prayers. I've also worked professionally as a Cantorial Soloist in many synagogues over the past 20 years. Though I grew up in Reform Judaism, for the past 9 years, I've been attending a well-known Conservative Synagogue and study at a weekly Bible class with the Rabbi.
Speech

Speech

As a voice and singing expert, and with my background as an professional opera singer, I not only train people to sing and perform well, but also have twenty years experience helping young people and adults improve various speech / language problems. Though I don't have a degree in speech pathology, I have taken intensive training and special courses in vocal and hearing therapies that dramatically improve speech and language problems. My teaching style is nurturing, flexible, intuitive yet sequential.
Theater

Theater

With a Master's degree in Opera Stage Direction, and international credits as opera singer and voice teacher at the College and High School level, I delight in helping students discover their acting abilities and gain a solid understanding about stage, film and commercial technique. I have experience assisting in directing and stage managing full opera productions, along with international experience as a soloist with major opera companies, and as an actor in film and theater.
Vocabulary

Vocabulary

As a successful online music journalist covering classical music in Los Angeles, my editors demand excellent English usage and vocabulary. With over twenty years experience as a private classical voice teacher and performing arts specialist, I bring patience and humor to each session and can adapt to a student's learning style. I help young students expand vocabulary through variety of teaching methods including creative writing and free-form poetry. I also encourage them to share what kinds of movies, songs, and books they are currently reading, and go from there.
Voice (Music)

Voice (Music)

For the past 25 years, I've been empowering beginners to professionals, from teens to seniors, to sing with joy, ease and skill in a variety of musical styles. I teach classical and non-classical voice. Many students say they are delighted and surprised at how quickly they make progress in their voice sessions, and how relaxed, yet energized they feel afterwards. Students learn musical and vocal skills needed to successfully sing in choirs, musicals, operas, concerts, local gigs, or in recording studios. Some of my students are well-known singer/songwriters with careers, others are enjoying public speaking careers. Many of my students have successfully auditioned for and accepted into honor or show choirs, performing solos, musical productions, and receive top ratings in competitions. In addition to vocal training, students learn performance and acting skills. I hold a Master's Degree in Opera Stage Direction, and a Bachelors' Degree in Music, Voice Performance from the Indiana University School of Music, Bloomington, IN. During my musical career, I performed internationally as a mezzo-soprano soloist singing a variety of roles with leading opera companies, such as the Zurich Opera, Switzerland, The New Israeli Opera, Tel Aviv, The Israel Philharmonic, Long Beach Opera, CA, and more.
World History

World History

I have passed the WyzAnt test for World History. You can read my other qualifications relating to World History on my profile.
Writing

Writing

Since 2011 I've been a free-lance music journalist, with over 100 published articles, reviews and interviews on a globally distributed online magazine. I'm on the invited press list of many prestigious performing arts organizations, and usually cover classical music events in the Los Angeles area. In addition, I have co-written an unpublished feature-length screenplay, song lyrics and poetry, and several original scripts used for special music events. As a tutor, I have several years of experience working with children and teens. I also help adults dramatically improve their written communication skills. As a holistic teacher, I adjust to each student's learning styles and needs of the writing project. Students are encouraged to learn how to edit and revise, research, and use correct forms where needed.
Yoga

Yoga

After studying modern dance for many years, I studied Yoga and Tai Chi. As a student of meditation and sacred music, in respected Ashrams in America and India, I studied Hatha Yoga and Iyengar style Yoga (Anusara Yoga) in weekly classes, including taking several week long Yoga intensives. My aim in teaching Yoga to Western students is how to be gentle in the poses. It's important that we know how to slow down, do less and move more deeply into the poses. I also share with students that Yoga is not only a physical science, but is an ancient path to self-realization, to recognize our divine essence and how to be happier leading our daily lives. I'm comfortable teaching beginning Hatha Yoga, and also some gentle Pranayama (breathing) methods as well. As a professional voice teacher and vocalist, I also incorporate elements of Yoga in my work with voice students.
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Ratings and Reviews

Rating

5.0 (42 ratings)
5 star
(41)
4 star
(1)
3 star
(0)
2 star
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1 star
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Reviews

Voice coach home run

My son had a lesson with Ahdda S. yesterday on zoom. She was knowledgeable and very good at explaining and modeling the activities she wanted my son to engage in. He really doesn’t like his voice cadence and wanted these lessons. He was engaged 100% of the time and actually had fun. We will be continuing these lessons with glee!

Theresa, 20 lessons with Ahdda
Tutor responded:

Thank you so much, Theresa, for your positive feedback! When a student desires to be serious about changing their voice or improving it, they come to realize it involves more than just "voice" exercises. It's not easy, but it can really be fun as we free up our breathing, posture and wake up our ears to hear in a new way. I'm happy to have made your son's first lesson a home run.

an expert at voice coaching

Always great working with her. She is very knowledgeable and gives me things to work on and practice to continue to improve which is exactly what I'm looking for!

Aaron, 10 lessons with Ahdda

Great voice coach!

Done a couple sessions with Ahdda so far. She is very knowledgeable in the voice coach space. I love her style of teaching of the exercises we do. Highly recommended!

Aaron, 10 lessons with Ahdda
Tutor responded:

Thank you, Aaron for your positive feedback. You've made excellent progress in just a few lessons. It's a pleasure coaching you.

Excellent

As I move along in my project, I’m finding Adhha’s lessons crucial to my success. I’m developing skills to handle the tension that builds in my body with stress. I’m also learning how to free myself to produce a much improved (!) vocal sound. I feel so good, better than I have in a long while. Her approach is simple, doable, and productive. Her patience and ability to teach are assuring to me that I can make quality progress.

Sharon , 4 lessons with Ahdda

Excellent

As I move along in my project, I’m finding Adhha’s lessons crucial to my success. I’m developing skills to handle the tension that builds in my body with stress. I’m also learning how to free myself to produce a much improved (!) vocal sound. I feel so good, better than I have in a long while. Her approach is simple, doable, and productive. Her patience and ability to teach are assuring to me that I can make quality progress.

Sharon , 4 lessons with Ahdda
Tutor responded:

Dear Sharon: Thank you so much for sharing your experience and positive feedback!

Public speaking

She taught me how to be patient, pronounce my vowel correctly, and slow down when I talk..Just that alone was a major difference in my communication skills and I'm still taking lessons!

Erik, 20 lessons with Ahdda
Tutor responded:

Erik, thanks so much for this feedback. I love your drive to succeed and seeing how fast you're improving!

Knowledgeable and Patient

Ahdda was able to teach me an introduction to a subject that I’ve been wanting to learn for a while. She also answered all of my questions and I learned so much from her. I can’t wait to learn more from her.

Fernando , 3 lessons with Ahdda
Tutor responded:

Dear Fernando: Thanks for your comments. It's been great working with you on Religious studies, Jewish Mysticism, Kabbalah and more.

The best!!

Ahdda came on time and stayed the whole hour. She is well prepared and clear in her instructions, easy to understand, very pleasant and very patient and gives so much encouragement. I would strongly recommend her.

Aaron, 3 lessons with Ahdda

Great tutor

Ahdda has been everything we hoped for and more. She comes to each class well-prepared with a teaching plan and objectives. She maintains order and progressing through her plan. Our kids are learning a ton and we've seen great results. The fact that she has a beautiful voice to boot is an added bonus. Like!

Jeffrey, 5 lessons with Ahdda
Tutor responded:

Dear Jeffrey: Thank you so much for this feedback! It's a pleasure to teach Jewish studies, Hebrew and Jewish music to your wonderful and talented children.

Quick thinker and very encouraging!

Ahdda recently just helped me to brainstorm and write a draft for my journalism project. She quickly helped me generate some great ideas and was able to identify my strengths and weaknesses. (I'm a perfectionist, so it's really hard for me to put words on paper). By the end of our hour session, I not only had a full page of notes, but I also had a draft mostly done. Throughout the process she was very encouraging and made me feel proud of my thoughts and words. I would definitely recommend Ahdda!

Rachel, 1 lesson with Ahdda
Tutor responded:

Dear Rachel: Thank you! I really appreciate your feedback and am glad to know you got so much value from our lesson. Keep in touch!

Hourly Rate: $85
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