Vocal Workshops |
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In 2020, our 5th year, Roberta and I recognized the limitations of singing in public - so we went VIRTUAL! Our June, July and August camps were a huge success and included all the usual things like: singing three different songs in three different styles, basic musicianship skills, vocal technique, warm-up exercises and performance tips. However, in order to keep our virtual world exciting, we added a new element: Collaborative Songwriting! With help from returning staff member, Brandon Pisano, and new staff addition Alex Newkirk, we were able to offer students input from four professional vocalists and insights into songwriting. The original songs, composed by the boot camp participants, will be available on several online platforms as well as here. More workshops in the Fall and Winter are in the works. Email Ellen for more information!
Take a listen to 3 of our 5 original songs, created by......US! More coming soon!
Better World Louder Where We Are
Take a listen to 3 of our 5 original songs, created by......US! More coming soon!
Better World Louder Where We Are
Private Coaching
Ellen is passionate about teaching. In the last 20 years, she has taught in a variety of settings and has worked with students from ages 10 to 70. Ellen's favorite part of teaching is connecting different generations with each other through Music. Whether she is working one-on-one in her private studio, in a classroom or as a Guest Artist/Clinician, she shares her passion for Music.
Hartland Music Senior Recital 2016
Ellen has been studying private voice since the age of 16, where she began learning Classical technique with esteemed instructor and long-time Milwaukee Symphony Chorus member Nancy McKinley Ehlinger. She went on to the University of Minnesota, where she studied privately with Dr. Clifton Ware, author of several pedagogical offerings as well as "Adventures in Singing," which is currently in it's 4th Edition. Ellen continues to teach traditional technique, from early students to advanced collegiate students, in her instruction of all styles from Musical Theater to Jazz to Rock/Pop.
Ellen has been a part of the Columbia College Chicago Music Department faculty since 2007, teaching Music Theory, Jazz/Pop Choir, Music Prep, Techniques in Singing and also serves as a Private Voice Instructor. Ellen has also worked as a Private Instructor at the Waukesha Conservatory of Music (Hartland Music) since 2006, teaching all ages and styles. Her students have gone on to thrive in top college Performing programs at schools like University of Minnesota, Loyola University in Chicago and Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Ellen has been a part of the Columbia College Chicago Music Department faculty since 2007, teaching Music Theory, Jazz/Pop Choir, Music Prep, Techniques in Singing and also serves as a Private Voice Instructor. Ellen has also worked as a Private Instructor at the Waukesha Conservatory of Music (Hartland Music) since 2006, teaching all ages and styles. Her students have gone on to thrive in top college Performing programs at schools like University of Minnesota, Loyola University in Chicago and Berklee College of Music in Boston.
CLINICS & WORKSHOPS
Ellen has teamed up with wonderful colleagues to create some wonderful "Boot Camp" experiences in Milwaukee and Chicago and plans to continue to work with students of all ages in all musical genres. Workshops, classes and private lessons are all formats that Ellen is comfortable working in and she believes that every student deserves a unique learning experience. If you're more comfortable in a group, then Ellen provides workshops and clinics year round to suit your needs. If you really want the intimacy of a one-on-one voice lesson, then you will learn proper technique, style and vocal placement concepts in whatever genre you choose.
“Thank you Ellen for serving as clinician and guest artist. I really appreciate your musicianship and your consummate skills as an educator; you made our entire spring concert a success with your contributions and leadership!” –Allen Redford, Highland Community College
As a Guest Artist and Clinician, Ellen has been an adjudicator at the Jazz On The Rock Vocal Jazz Festival in Whitewater, WI and the Best of Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships in Des Moines, IA. She also worked with high school and collegiate programs at University of IL - Champaign/Urbana, Terra State Community College and Tiffin University in Ohio, Highland Community College in IL, Arrowhead High School, Cedarburg High School and Whitefish Bay High School in WI. She also co-presented a Vocal Jazz session at the 2011 Ohio Music Educators Convention. She was a long-time member of the former International Association of Jazz Educators and is now a member of the Jazz Education Network (JEN.) In 2021, Ellen was honored to be named Director of the WCDA All State Vocal Jazz Choir.
Vocal Jazz & Contemporary Singing
Ellen can provide workshops to heighten your students’ Vocal Jazz awareness and Aural abilities. Over the last 20 years, Ellen has a strong background in singing vocal jazz and close-voice harmony and also served on the faculty of the Phil Mattson Vocal/Choral Summer workshops as well as the Western Michigan University Summer Vocal Workshop with Steve Zegree. Ellen has a variety of vocal exercises to help you work with your ensemble from the most intermediate to the most advanced level of singing.
As a Guest Artist and Clinician, Ellen has been an adjudicator at the Jazz On The Rock Vocal Jazz Festival in Whitewater, WI and the Best of Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships in Des Moines, IA. She also worked with high school and collegiate programs at University of IL - Champaign/Urbana, Terra State Community College in Ohio, Highland Community College in IL, Arrowhead High School, Grafton High School and Whitefish Bay High School in WI. She also co-presented a Vocal Jazz session at the 2011 Ohio Music Educators Convention with colleague and friend, Michael Shirtz.
Ellen teaches a variety of Contemporary Vocal courses at Columbia College Chicago including Fundamentals of Musical Theatre Singing, Music Theory for Musical Theatre Majors and Private Voice instruction in Jazz/Blues/Musical Theatre/Pop/Rock styles. She is also currently directing the Jazz Pop Choir and the Chicago Vox Vocal Jazz Ensemble.
Ellen can provide workshops to heighten your students’ Vocal Jazz awareness and Aural abilities. Over the last 20 years, Ellen has a strong background in singing vocal jazz and close-voice harmony and also served on the faculty of the Phil Mattson Vocal/Choral Summer workshops as well as the Western Michigan University Summer Vocal Workshop with Steve Zegree. Ellen has a variety of vocal exercises to help you work with your ensemble from the most intermediate to the most advanced level of singing.
As a Guest Artist and Clinician, Ellen has been an adjudicator at the Jazz On The Rock Vocal Jazz Festival in Whitewater, WI and the Best of Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships in Des Moines, IA. She also worked with high school and collegiate programs at University of IL - Champaign/Urbana, Terra State Community College in Ohio, Highland Community College in IL, Arrowhead High School, Grafton High School and Whitefish Bay High School in WI. She also co-presented a Vocal Jazz session at the 2011 Ohio Music Educators Convention with colleague and friend, Michael Shirtz.
Ellen teaches a variety of Contemporary Vocal courses at Columbia College Chicago including Fundamentals of Musical Theatre Singing, Music Theory for Musical Theatre Majors and Private Voice instruction in Jazz/Blues/Musical Theatre/Pop/Rock styles. She is also currently directing the Jazz Pop Choir and the Chicago Vox Vocal Jazz Ensemble.