Teaching Philosophy: “My holistic, positive teaching style focuses on the joy of singing and offers students keys to vocal development that affirm the vocal fundamentals of healthy singing. I assist students in discovering and safely producing their beautiful sounds while tapping into the full potential of their individual voices and mastering appropriate vocal repertoire for their unique vocal talents and musical interests. Vocal and performance goals and challenges are addressed through individually tailored exercises and a supportive environment. All ages, proficiency levels, and styles of music are welcome in my voice studio.
As a committed educator with extensive performing and teaching experience, I seek to encourage and challenge singers to develop their vocal and musical artistry while holding fast to their initial inspiration and love of singing. Singing offers a powerful channel for personal and artistic expression. One of my primary goals is to empower each vocalist with the resources to experience the tremendous joy of discovering and fully expressing their true singing voice - the beautiful, unique sonic expression of the depths of who they are.
The foundation of my teaching philosophy is built on the following principles:
I believe in a student-centric approach to teaching, where singers are empowered to take ownership of their vocal and artistic development and hone critical thinking and listening skills. As a master voice teacher-mentor, I encourage an extremely collaborative and participatory learning process, where the teacher and the student are fully engaged in exploring and developing the full potential of their student’s unique voice while serving the music and their musical goals.
I customize instruction to directly address the development of each student’s individual voice and musical goals. Based on my assessment of the student’s natural learning style(s), I customize my presentation of concepts and content to best connect with each singer. In this collaborative process, it is important for the teacher to receive the vocalist’s feedback regarding how concepts feel and sound when implemented.
It is widely accepted that most people thrive in a positive learning environment. Singing is an extremely personal and vulnerable expression. My teaching experience has shown me that singers respond extremely well to positive feedback and constructive critique from trusted and respected teachers as they undertake developing and sharing their voice and musical artistry. I believe it is important to offer large measures of praise and encouragement to my students. Positive reinforcement is of primary importance for students to gain the confidence to trust and believe in their own ability to grow.”
Biography: Soprano Kathleen McDonald shares her love of music and the joy of teaching as an acclaimed master voice teacher, coach, and performing artist. She has a well-established vocal and piano studio in the Boston, MA area and is recognized for her outstanding teaching and mentoring abilities, working in all music genres, with students of all ages and levels of expertise. Ms. McDonald's students have been accepted to pursue music degrees at highly regarded conservatories and universities and have won numerous competitions and scholarships.
Ms. McDonald has been on the voice faculties of four colleges: The College of Saint Rose, Albany, NY; Schenectady County Community College School of Music, Schenectady, NY; Berkshire Community College, Pittsfield, MA; and the University of California, Irvine as well as a member of the music faculties of numerous community music schools and private schools. She is also a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Opera America, and Mu Phi Epsilon, as well as an accredited NYSSMA vocal adjudicator.
Soprano Kathleen McDonald has shared her artistry nationally and in Europe to great acclaim. A highly versatile artist equally at home performing opera, musical theater, concert, and jazz, Ms. McDonald had the privilege of originating the role of Della in the musical, “The Gift of The Magi,” which has been produced internationally.
Ms. McDonald is also a Certified HeartSong Coach and the Founder of the HeartSong Center, a sound healing practice, which she has been teaching and promoting since 1998.
Ms. McDonald earned a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Vocal Performance, summa cum laude, from the University of California, Irvine, and a Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from Boston University’s School of Music. She also participated in Tanglewood Music Center’s Vocal Program and the Oren Brown Voice Seminar.
Ms. McDonald has taught piano to students of all ages and enjoys focusing on beginning and intermediate-level pianists. She began her own piano studies at the age of 6 and continued her studies through college.
Ms. McDonald began teaching in 1980 and joined Note-worthy Experiences in August 2023 where she teaches voice and piano.
As a committed educator with extensive performing and teaching experience, I seek to encourage and challenge singers to develop their vocal and musical artistry while holding fast to their initial inspiration and love of singing. Singing offers a powerful channel for personal and artistic expression. One of my primary goals is to empower each vocalist with the resources to experience the tremendous joy of discovering and fully expressing their true singing voice - the beautiful, unique sonic expression of the depths of who they are.
The foundation of my teaching philosophy is built on the following principles:
- Effective learning flourishes in a dynamic of collaboration, where teacher and student are grounded in mutual respect and trust.
- Acceptance and appreciation for each singer as a distinct individual coupled with their unique voice, musical skills, and artistic goals.
- Establishment of a safe, positive, and welcoming studio environment where vocalists can learn and grow, where vocal exploration and experimentation are fostered, and where self-expression and questioning are nurtured.
I believe in a student-centric approach to teaching, where singers are empowered to take ownership of their vocal and artistic development and hone critical thinking and listening skills. As a master voice teacher-mentor, I encourage an extremely collaborative and participatory learning process, where the teacher and the student are fully engaged in exploring and developing the full potential of their student’s unique voice while serving the music and their musical goals.
I customize instruction to directly address the development of each student’s individual voice and musical goals. Based on my assessment of the student’s natural learning style(s), I customize my presentation of concepts and content to best connect with each singer. In this collaborative process, it is important for the teacher to receive the vocalist’s feedback regarding how concepts feel and sound when implemented.
It is widely accepted that most people thrive in a positive learning environment. Singing is an extremely personal and vulnerable expression. My teaching experience has shown me that singers respond extremely well to positive feedback and constructive critique from trusted and respected teachers as they undertake developing and sharing their voice and musical artistry. I believe it is important to offer large measures of praise and encouragement to my students. Positive reinforcement is of primary importance for students to gain the confidence to trust and believe in their own ability to grow.”
Biography: Soprano Kathleen McDonald shares her love of music and the joy of teaching as an acclaimed master voice teacher, coach, and performing artist. She has a well-established vocal and piano studio in the Boston, MA area and is recognized for her outstanding teaching and mentoring abilities, working in all music genres, with students of all ages and levels of expertise. Ms. McDonald's students have been accepted to pursue music degrees at highly regarded conservatories and universities and have won numerous competitions and scholarships.
Ms. McDonald has been on the voice faculties of four colleges: The College of Saint Rose, Albany, NY; Schenectady County Community College School of Music, Schenectady, NY; Berkshire Community College, Pittsfield, MA; and the University of California, Irvine as well as a member of the music faculties of numerous community music schools and private schools. She is also a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Opera America, and Mu Phi Epsilon, as well as an accredited NYSSMA vocal adjudicator.
Soprano Kathleen McDonald has shared her artistry nationally and in Europe to great acclaim. A highly versatile artist equally at home performing opera, musical theater, concert, and jazz, Ms. McDonald had the privilege of originating the role of Della in the musical, “The Gift of The Magi,” which has been produced internationally.
Ms. McDonald is also a Certified HeartSong Coach and the Founder of the HeartSong Center, a sound healing practice, which she has been teaching and promoting since 1998.
Ms. McDonald earned a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Vocal Performance, summa cum laude, from the University of California, Irvine, and a Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from Boston University’s School of Music. She also participated in Tanglewood Music Center’s Vocal Program and the Oren Brown Voice Seminar.
Ms. McDonald has taught piano to students of all ages and enjoys focusing on beginning and intermediate-level pianists. She began her own piano studies at the age of 6 and continued her studies through college.
Ms. McDonald began teaching in 1980 and joined Note-worthy Experiences in August 2023 where she teaches voice and piano.