Voice Lessons

Private voice lessons are offered as optional enrichment to classroom instruction and are designed to utilize the broad scope of characteristic literature available for voice. Rather than stress the singular goal of competition preparation, lessons emphasize on nurturing independence and individual skills critical to the developing singer.

Austin Bradley

agbradley90@gmail.com

Baritone Austin Bradley graduated with a Bachelor's of Music as a Presser Music Scholar at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. During college, Mr. Bradley spent a summer studying language and performing opera in Italy. He then completed his Master's Degree in Opera Performance at the University of Texas at Austin where he met his wife, Natalie. The two performed in several opera productions together and still perform together today. Austin and Natalie own and operate Bradley Music Studio, LLC offering voice and piano lessons to Austin-area students. Together they teach 70 voice students in the Vandegrift High School choir program.

Since returning to his home state, Mr. Bradley has been in demand as a performer in oratorio and opera productions, performing in various styles, from Baroque to Romantic to world-premier productions and musical theater. Recent performances include principal roles at Alamo City Opera, Austin Opera, Long Center for the Performing Arts, and Austin Baroque Orchestra.

His students have earned spots in the TMEA All-State choir and Region choirs and have won honors from SMART Opera, Sarofim Vocal Competition, Schmidt Vocal Competition, National Association of Teachers of Singing, and UIL State Solo and Ensemble. They can be seen performing with the Butler Opera Center Young Artist Program, Summer Stock Austin, NYU Musical Theater Summer Program, TexARTS, Schmidt Vocal Institute, Amphion Youth Choir, Conspirare Youth Choir, Zach Theatre's Pre-Professional Company, and Zilker Hillside Theater.

Layla Edwards is an operatic mezzo-soprano hailing from St. Simons Island, Georgia. She studied theater and music at the University of Georgia and was a Young Artist in the Greek Opera Studio and Harrower Opera Workshop.

Edwards discovered he joy of singing at an early age within her home church and quickly began taking piano and voice lessons. In 2011 she had the fortunate opportunity of performing the sole of Sally in he Greek premier of Samuel Barker’s A Hand of Bridge during the International Festival of the Aegean in Syros, Greece. Other notable roles include Petra (A Little Night Music) and Ruth (Pirates of Penzance). Upon moving to Austin in 2013, Miss Edwards began singing with the Austin Opera Chorus.

An avid lover of musical theatre and jazz, Edwards is comfortable teaching outside the classical realm, while still incorporating music fundamentals into every lesson. Her teaching philosophy focuses on providing a creative, engaging, and non-intimidating environment where students can thrice and build a solid musical foundation for a lifetime.

CRMS Voice Lesson Policies

Participation

Private lessons are optional. For all students, private lessons can be a great asset to their artistic and performance ability. Private lessons are highly recommended for any student who wishes to make faster progress and gain more enjoyment from the arts.

Enrollment

A student who desires to participate in the private lesson program must complete the registration and parental approval form. Parents should make themselves aware of the district program guidelines.

Lesson Times and Location

Lessons will take place in the choir practice rooms. Upon completion of the registration form and turning in to their campus director, students will be assigned a private lesson instructor. Students may request their desired lesson teacher, or they will be assigned to one. Please note that the private lesson instructor will schedule lessons only with students who register for the program, and the day to which a student is assigned depends upon the availability of the private lesson instructor. Lessons usually occur weekly. Middle school students should sign up for 20-minute lesson slots. If a student wishes to have a longer lesson, it may need to take place before or after school.

Student’s Responsibility to the Private Lesson Instructor

  • Prepare for each lesson be practicing at home daily on their lesson assignment.
  • Record the private lesson instructor's contact information.
  • Follow attendance policy
  • Supply materials required by the instructor. The materials are typically low cost and are the responsibility of the student. Such materials may include method books, specialized supplies, solos, etc.

Private Lesson Instructor’s Responsibility to the Student

  • Provide student a quality private lesson which contributes positively to the development and continual improvement of the student as a musician, performer, or artist.
  • Instill an appreciation for the arts
  • Exhibit professional characteristics and demeanor in attitude, appearance, behavior, and responsibility in every activity germane to private lesson instruction.
  • Provide students and parents with contact information

Financial Considerations

  • Payment is to be made directly from the student to the private lesson instructor.
  • Payment schedules and payment policies will be established by each private lesson instructor.
  • Payments are to be made on the due date set by the private lesson instructors.
  • Checks are to be made payable to the individual private lesson instructors.
  • Lesson fees may range from $16-21 per half hour lesson (depending on degree and experience).

Absences

If, for any reason, the necessity for an absence occurs, the private lesson instructor must be notified at least 24 hours prior to the time of the lesson. This is so the private lesson instructor has an opportunity to adjust his/her schedule. This is the Private Lesson Instructor’s livelihood. Every effort should be made to respect their time schedule and to provide communication of expected or unexpected absences (emergency) as early as possible. Failure to notify the private lesson instructor promptly may result in failure to rearrange the schedule and full payment for the lesson may be due. This is the reason to record the private lesson instructor’s phone number and contact information. Please do not call the band/choir directors to leave messages for the instructors. It is the student or parent’s responsibility to make direct contact with the instructor 24 hours in advance in order to avoid being charged! Emergency excuses are at the discretion of the private lesson instructor.

Excused Absences

  • Student illness and emergencies of a serious nature (death or serious family illness)
  • Other absences approved by the private lesson instructor in advance

Tardies

Students who are late to the scheduled lesson will only receive the remaining time allotted to him/her and will be charged for a full scheduled lesson.

Lesson Termination / Dropping

A private lesson instructor may drop a student for the following reasons:

  • Failure to pay private lesson fees.
  • Frequent unexcused absences.
  • Other contributing factors as discussed by instructor and campus director

It is CRMS preference that students commit to an entire semester of voice lessons, and only terminate lessons at semester if desired. Termination of lessons by the parent or private lesson instructor should be done in email form to the lesson instructor and head choir director (Mrs. Kelly). Once appropriate notice has been given, the student will be considered dropped from the program, and will no longer receive lessons or billing.

Please note that additional studio policies will be provided to students and their families by their assigned teacher.

Download Enrollment Form Below:

PLenrollmentForm18_19.pdf