Susan Gaylord
Lawrenceville,NJ
Summary
Accomplished Voice Teacher with extensive experience in both Vocal and Early Childhood Ed small-group music instruction. Currently teaching private voice and small-group voice classes (Class size: 10 students or less) at Westminster Conservatory of Rider University, The Pennington School, The Chapin School, as well as in personal Private Voice Studio. Adept in Voice Improvement Techniques and fostering student growth. Demonstrated success in enhancing vocal range and aural skills, achieving notable student performance advancements. Skilled in creating inclusive environments and utilizing technology to enrich learning, with a proven track record in performance coaching and team collaboration. Experienced Vocal Coach successful in helping performers of all skill levels advance abilities, gain confidence and take on new amateur and professional challenges. Adept at interpreting songs and teaching singers how to embody music and provoke emotional responses in audience members. Experienced in all ages of vocal instruction and specializing in the Beginner vocal student
Overview
55
55
years of professional experience
Work History
Private Voice Teacher/Small Group Voice Classes/Early Childhood Educator
Westminster Conservatory of Rider University
09.2014 - Current
- Familiarize students with basic concepts of vocal music such as in tune pitch matching, rhythm and text interpretation
- Support singers participating in live performances.
- Help students prepare for auditions and special events.
- Teach fundamentals such as projection, breathing and vocal techniques.
- Creatively adapt teaching syllabus to meet individual and group needs.
- Teach performers of varying skill levels ways to improve overall range and tonal beauty.
- Adapt instruction to meet individual students' diverse learning needs and abilities.
- Communicate with parents to maintain regular communication about student progress and any concerns.
- Create supportive and inclusive learning environments to foster positive classrooms that support student growth and learning.
- Attend department meetings and collaborated with other fine arts teachers.
- Foster love for art and learning to inspire students to pursue passions and interests.
- Use simple technology in classrooms to enhance student learning.
- Incorporate student interests and experiences to make learning relevant and meaningful.
- Schedule shows and performances in accordance with school calendar.
- Manage classroom behavior to establish and maintain clear classroom behavior and discipline expectations.
- Assess student learning to evaluate student learning and progress through evaluations and performances.
Vocal Director and Former Board Member
Blue Mountain Chamber Music Festival
01.2009 - Current
- Transcribed musical compositions and melodic lines to adapt to particular group or create specific musical style.
- Handled requests for specific musical selections.
- Transposed pieces from one instrument to another and one key to another to accommodate client and musician preferences.
- Selected and arranged music for performances and special events.
- Directed groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
- Positioned members within groups to obtain balance among instrumental or vocal sections.
- Attended regular practices and private lessons to hone skills.
- Rewrote original scores to adapt to different musical genres and styles.
- Exercised leadership capabilities by successfully motivating and inspiring others.
Private Voice Teacher
The Pennington School
09.2001 - Current
- Currently Private Voice Teacher and
- Co-teacher/Vocal Coach of their elite group The Pennington Singers.
- Also serve as vocal Coach for their Musical Theater performances
Private Voice Instructor
The Chapin School
09.2016 - Current
Private Voice Teacher
Self Employed/Independent Contractor
09.1992 - Current
- Teaching fundamentals such as projection, breath mangement and vocal techniques.
Church Choir Experience
Various
01.1970 - Current
- I have served as a church choir member since childhood where I was a member of a volunteer choir in the small, rural community (First United Methodist Church of Glen Alpine, NC)
- Throughout my singing career I have served as a paid choir member/soloist in many Christian churches as well as in several Reform Jewish Temples for their High Holy Days services.
- I have extensive experience in being a section leader/paid soloist in both professional and amateur choirs - specially during the Christmas and Easter Holy seasons.
- Partial List of choirs:
- First Baptist Church of Hopewell, NJ (most recently employed for Easter, 2024)
- First and Central Presbyterian Church of Wilmington, DE (regular substitute)
- Marble Collegiate New York City (regular substitute)
- Liberty Corner Presbyterian, Liberty Corner, NJ
Staff - Trenton Children's Chorus
Trenton Children's Chorus
09.2009 - 06.2016
- Established positive relationships with customers and other staff members.
- Liaised with management and other departments to maintain smooth operations.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with colleagues through regular meetings and communication.
- Participated in team-building activities to foster teamwork and collaboration.
- Provided guidance and support to junior staff members in achieving performance goals.
Education
Early Cildhood Ed Dept -
Early Childhood ED Instruction Preschool-3rd Grade
TCC And Westminster Concervatory Princeton, NJ2014
Two Years Graduate Program of Opera Studies -
Manhattan School of Music
New York, NY05.1981
Bachelor of Music InPerformance (Voice) - Graduated With Distinction in Performance
Petrie School of Music - Converse University
Spartanburg, SC05.1979
Skills
- Performance Coaching
- Voice Improvement Techniques
- Teaching age appropriate vocal techniques
- Adequate piano skills for pre-school classes
- Music Theory instruction
- Breath management expertise
- Personal vocal performance skills are excellent
- Time management for successful rehearsals/practice
- Creative approach to instruction to suit students' needs
Timeline
Private Voice Instructor
The Chapin School
09.2016 - Current
Private Voice Teacher/Small Group Voice Classes/Early Childhood Educator
Westminster Conservatory of Rider University
09.2014 - Current
Staff - Trenton Children's Chorus
Trenton Children's Chorus
09.2009 - 06.2016
Vocal Director and Former Board Member
Blue Mountain Chamber Music Festival
01.2009 - Current
Private Voice Teacher
The Pennington School
09.2001 - Current
Private Voice Teacher
Self Employed/Independent Contractor
09.1992 - Current
Church Choir Experience
Various
01.1970 - Current
Early Cildhood Ed Dept -
Early Childhood ED Instruction Preschool-3rd Grade
Two Years Graduate Program of Opera Studies -
Manhattan School of Music
Bachelor of Music InPerformance (Voice) - Graduated With Distinction in Performance
Petrie School of Music - Converse University
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