Private Voice Lessons

Alisa Black is a versatile soprano and passionate educator based in Austin, Texas. A native of Houston, she brings both performance excellence and a deep commitment to vocal instruction to her work across the region. Alisa earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from

Texas State University. She began her teaching career with the nonprofit Kids In a New Groove (KING), providing free music lessons to students in foster care—an experience that laid the foundation for her student-centered approach.

She currently serves as a voice teacher at ZACH North Theatre and works extensively with school districts throughout the Austin area. In addition to private instruction, she leads group musical theatre classes at ZACH North Theatre.

Her training spans a wide array of disciplines, including Italian and French diction, jazz singing, jazz dance, stage combat, stagecraft, lighting design, and stage management. As a performer, Alisa is currently singing with the Gilbert & Sullivan Austin Opera Company. Her

operatic credits include performing the role of First Alms Sister in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, cover Pamina in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, and appearing as the Second Spirit in Die Zauberflöte with Chicago Summer Opera. She also served as assistant director for a production of Handel’s Serse. Whether onstage or in the studio, Alisa is dedicated to excellence in the vocal arts and to empowering each student to find their unique voice.

Dr. Irida Herri is an accomplished soprano renowned for her exceptional musicality and impeccable vocal skills. She has enjoyed a successful career as both a soloist and chamber musician, performing across the United States, Germany, and Japan. Her repertoire encompasses a diverse array of operatic roles and solo performances in choral works, cantatas, oratorios, and

masses. Dr. Herri has collaborated with orchestras and choirs around the globe, including the Baltimore Symphony, Columbia Pro Cantare, Concert Artists of Baltimore, Heidelberg Bachchor, Theater of Heidelberg, United States Army Europe Band and Chorus, United States Army Japan Band, Central Texas Philharmonic, and the Metropolitan Opera.

Originally from Albania, Dr. Herri's international journey has shaped her into the

versatile artist and educator she is today. She holds a Doctoral Degree in Vocal Pedagogy from the University of Texas at Austin, where she also worked as a graduate Teaching Assistant. Before her time in Austin, she was an ensemble member of the Theater of Heidelberg in Germany for over a decade and managed a private studio in Germany and Japan, teaching for over 15 years. She also earned a Master of Music in Opera Performance from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music in New York and a Bachelor of Music in

Vocal Performance from Augusta State University in Georgia.

Dr. Herri is passionate about sharing her knowledge with the next generation of singers. She emphasizes the importance of healthy singing practices and is committed to helping her students develop their artistic interpretation, tone quality, and effective learning strategies. With a focus on a variety of musical styles—ranging from classical to musical theater, jazz, gospel, and

contemporary commercial music—she tailors her approach to meet each student’s individual preferences and needs, ensuring they feel supported in their musical journey. Additionally, her fluency in languages like Italian, French, and German allows her to provide valuable guidance in diction, encouraging her students to express themselves confidently. Dr. Herri’s students have

achieved great success, earning spots in the TMEA All-State and Region choirs, as well as receiving high scores in state and local Solo and Ensemble competitions.

In Austin, Dr. Herri is deeply involved in a variety of collaborative projects with local artists, churches, choral groups, and music organizations aiming to foster creative partnerships and nurture ongoing collaborations within the community.

Jack Fanselau is a dynamic vocalist, performer, educator, and music producer with a strong foundation in classical vocal performance and a deep love for contemporary music. Holding a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from Baylor University and starting his DMA at The University of Texas, Jack has built a career bridging the worlds of opera and pop, a journey that led to a featured interview on NBC Texas Today.

He has received praise from renowned artists including John Legend, and has performed as a soloist at prestigious venues such as the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas and the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Jack brings this unique blend of classical training and industry experience to his teaching, helping the next generation of singers find their voice, grow with confidence, and succeed across musical genres.