Mary Gard's The Voice Studio

I am currently training to be a Kindermusik teacher. As part of my training, I will be offering a four-week course. This is a caregiver and child course, and provides an awesome opportunity for fun and bonding.

Kindermusik is the world’s leading provider of music-based education for children from birth through age seven. Kindermusik uses the power and joy of music-making to help children learn and grow during the years most critical to brain development. Since 1978, Kindermusik has helped millions of children around the world build a strong foundation for a lifetime love of learning.

Space is very limited and you must be able to commit to all four weeks to participate. This is because I must have a certain number of students in the video of my class I submit to my practicum teacher/evaluator. In addition to the 5 regular participants, I will need several "alternates" that I can call if a child becomes ill and can not make a class.

As a thank you, all participants and alternates will be offered a discount on my first official classes following certification.

You can register through the link below.

https://marygard.mymusicstaff.com/Free-Music-and-Movement-Class

If thre was such a thing as opera karaoke, this would be by go to song! lol
Its so fun!!!

Rossini composed forty operas between the ages of nineteen and thirty-seven, then he retired. The reported cause of this self-imposed retirement was exhaustion. This is not surprising, considering he composed an average of twenty operas a year for eighteen years. However, even though he retired from the demanding life of opera, he did not retire from composing. In the last forty years of his life, Rossini composed many chamber works and songs for solo voice. These were primarily composed for his own enjoyment and that of his friends, to be performed at his private parties in Paris.

The collection, Soirées Musicales, is a set of twelve drawing room songs published in 1835 and contains some of his best songs. Soirées Musicales was the name he had given to his weekly gatherings for his colleagues and friends. He composed music for these occasions, often in the company of friends; these events did much to improve Rossini’s spirits and failing health.

These delightful and rarely performed songs are full of wit and charm, interspersed with irony and sarcasm. They showcase his dramatic tendencies and frequently resemble his operatic work. In each of these songs, Rossini employs a distinctive piano motif that aids in setting the mood, creating a sense of unity, and supplying color, texture, and rhythmic energy. However, Rossini’s greatest gift is in his beautiful melodies. Rossini was a singer himself and understood how to write for the voice. The way he crafted a phrase facilitates comfortable breaths and helps the singer easily negotiate register breaks.

La danza from Soires musicales, Rossini

La danza from Soires musicales, Rossini Already, the moon is above the sea Mamma Mia, how we will leapThe hour is perfect for dancing Anyone in love will not miss it. Quickly dance around and aroun...

Rossini composed forty operas between the ages of nineteen and thirty-seven, then he retired. The reported cause of this self-imposed retirement was exhaustion. This is not surprising, considering he composed an average of twenty operas a year for eighteen years. However, even though he retired from the demanding life of opera, he did not retire from composing. In the last forty years of his life, Rossini composed many chamber works and songs for solo voice. These were primarily composed for his own enjoyment and that of his friends, to be performed at his private parties in Paris.

The collection, Soirées Musicales, is a set of twelve drawing room songs published in 1835 and contains some of his best songs. Soirées Musicales was the name he had given to his weekly gatherings for his colleagues and friends. He composed music for these occasions, often in the company of friends; these events did much to improve Rossini’s spirits and failing health.

These delightful and rarely performed songs are full of wit and charm, interspersed with irony and sarcasm. They showcase his dramatic tendencies and frequently resemble his operatic work. In each of these songs, Rossini employs a distinctive piano motif that aids in setting the mood, creating a sense of unity, and supplying color, texture, and rhythmic energy. However, Rossini’s greatest gift is in his beautiful melodies. Rossini was a singer himself and understood how to write for the voice. The way he crafted a phrase facilitates comfortable breaths and helps the singer easily negotiate register breaks.

La promessa from Soires musicales, Rossini

La promessa from Soires musicales, Rossini That I will ever be able to stop loving you No, don't believe it! Not even to joke would I deceive you about this.You alone are my sparks, and you will be my...

The playful Mandoline by Debussy performed at my recent recital. I love this song :-) so fun!

Impressionism in music is a late 19th-century compositional style that was a reaction to the emotional excesses of the Romantic era. Composers in this style often focused on suggestion, atmosphere, and the creation of moods; music tended to deviate from traditional harmonic progressions and employed more dissonances and uncommon scales, such as the whole-tone scale. Due to his tendency to prioritize instrumental color, emphasis on creating a mood over structure, and masterful integration of music and lyrics,Debussy may be thought of as the first Impressionist composer and the musical equivalent of Monet. Debussy himself, however, was not a fan of this nomenclature and rejected its use, saying, "Anyone who calls my music "impressionist" is an imbecile." Regardless of label, Debussy was undoubtedly one of the most influential composers of his era.

Mandoline recalls an enchanting pastoral scene with characters from Commedia dell’arte. Mandolin is one of Debussy’s first attempts at irony; the vivacious rhythms of this song bring the irony of the poem to life, distinguishing the characters in a playful manner by alternating between legato and staccato and the melodic curve of the vocal line. The listener begins to feel that it would be wonderful to join in the fun. However, upon a closer look, it seems that the characters are playing cruel games, and their dance fades away as if in a dream.

Mandoline, Debussy

Mandoline, Debussy The gallant serenaders and their fair listeners exchange sweet nothingsbeneath singing boughs. Tirsis is there, Aminte is there, and tedious Clitandre, too, ...

I am very excited to present this voice recital. I will be performing several highlights from my masters work at Lamar, including the one act opera “the telephone” by Menotti.

I will be joined by my stage partner and friend Richard Vandertulip and my former student and friend Nikos Warren.

The first opera I erformed at Lamar wwas The Telephone by Menotti. My stage partner is Richard Vandertulip. We did a little vignette from the opera on my recent voice recital "for old times sake".

excerpt from "The Telephone ('Why George, it's you' & 'Hello, this is Lucy'), Menotti

Menotti was an Italian-American composer primarily known for his output of twenty-five operas. His music is characterized by expressive lyricism and tonal melodies that are easily remembered. Menotti rejected atonality, saying, “Atonal music is essentially pessimistic. It is incapable of expressing joy or humor.” In his operas, aria-like passages tend to be brief so as not to interrupt the dramatic flow, and the recitative-like passages were carefully set to follow the natural rhythms of speech, making the text easily understood by audiences. Menotti’s music is known for its expressive lyricism and tonal melodies.

The Telephone is an English-language comic opera in one act, first presented on a double bill with Menotti's The Medium in New York City in 1947.

In this short opera there are two characters Lucy and Ben. Lucy is obsessed with her telephone and Ben is in love with Lucy. Throughout the action, Ben continually tries to propose to Lucy, but every time he reaches the crucial point in the conversation, the telephone rings, and she has a long conversation with friends. In desperation, he goes out and telephones her from a public phone, where he is finally successful in getting her attention long enough to ask for her hand.

excerpt from "The Telephone ('Why George, it's you' & 'Hello, this is Lucy'), Menotti

Here is a recording of Nuit d'toiles from my recent recital.

Impressionism in music is a late 19th-century compositional style that was a reaction to the emotional excesses of the Romantic era. Composers in this style often focused on suggestion, atmosphere, and the creation of moods; music tended to deviate from traditional harmonic progressions and employed more dissonances and uncommon scales, such as the whole-tone scale.

Due to his tendency to prioritize instrumental color, emphasis on creating a mood over structure, and masterful integration of music and lyrics, Debussy may be thought of as the first Impressionist composer and the musical equivalent of Monet. Debussy himself, however, was not a fan of this nomenclature and rejected its use, saying, "Anyone who calls my music "impressionist" is an imbecile." Regardless of label, Debussy was undoubtedly one of the most influential composers of his era.

The earliest of Debussy’s published works, “Nuit d’étoiles,” was composed around 1880 while studying at the Conservatoire. The melody is in the style of Massenet, but the first four chords of the accompaniment give a hint of things to come.

Nuit d'etoiles, Debussy Night of stars, beneath your veils, beneath your breeze and fragrance,Sad lyre that sighs, I dream of bygone loves.Serene melancholy now blooms deep in my he...

One season ends, and another begins!

I am now registering for summer voice lessons.

There are two options this Sumer
1) group lessons for all ages.
2) private voice lessons for those planning to participate in the all-state choir process.

Please pass this along to anyone you think may be interested. Thank you!

I am now scheduling summer voice lessons!

Private lessons will be offered for any student wanting to work on the all-state choir music over the summer.

Group lessons are open to all ages. We will have fun singing and work on the following topics: music theory, acting for singers, and vocal health.

Current openings are

Group lessons:
Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday at 12:00

Private lessons:
Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday at 1:15 and 2:30

(other times may be available, if you have a prefered time, just ask!)

Group lesson registration below:
https://marygard.mymusicstaff.com/Group-voice-lessons

Private lesson registration below:
https://marygard.mymusicstaff.com/Private-Voice-Lessons

I am now scheduling summer voice lessons!

Private lessons will be offered for any student wanting to work on the all-state choir music over the summer.

Group lessons are open to all ages. We will have fun singing and work on the following topics: music theory, acting for singers, and vocal health.

Current openings are

Group lessons:
Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday at 12:00

Private lessons:
Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday at 1:15 and 2:30

(other times may be available, if you have a prefered time, just ask!)

Group lesson registration below:
https://marygard.mymusicstaff.com/Group-voice-lessons

Private lesson registration below:
https://marygard.mymusicstaff.com/Private-Voice-Lessons

Former voice student Nikos Warren is performing his junior voice recital at UT Austin today at 5pm

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/HsDZFbTc4MmtcNCe/?mibextid=WC7FNe

congratulations to the following students for making it through the district auditions!!!

Hayley Bermont, Hannah Doyle,
Julie Garcia, Mia Santiago Kyrstyn Woods

https://marygard.mymusicstaff.com

Now offering piano lessons!!!!!! https://marygard.mymusicstaff.com/piano-lessons-registration

I will be offering music lessons for young singers, ages 5-12, this summer. Classes will be small and leveled by age and experience, each class will have between 3-5 students. Click the link for more information and to register. Also, please share this with everyone :-) I need help getting the word out

https://marygard.mymusicstaff.com/Children-s-Music-Classes--Summer-Registration

I am very excited to offer children’s music lessons for young singers ages 5-12!! ❤️🎶

I have scheduled two sessions May 28- July 1 and July 2-august 5. Classes will be 50 minutes in length. In addition to the four group classes L, all students will have one 15-20 mini-private voice lesson the first week of each session.

We will be fousing on fundamental skills like breathing and breath management, loft vs. modal singing, acting in song, etc.

Activities will be varied and will include yoga, playing with rhythmic instruments, using pinwheels/kazoos/straws /bubble blowing/etc to explore breath, music theory games, singing songs that are designed to develop skills…among other things 🎶🎶🎶

Please share this post and link with families who may be interested ❤️

Mary Gard’s The Voice Studio - Children's Music Classes, Summer Registration Music classes for young singers in the League City, Texas area.

My choir❤️ this was our fall concert. This is my favorite concert we have done. I cried almost the whole time we sang and I’m crying now listening to it 🎶💕

The concert was all about female empowerment and perseverance.

I hope you enjoy it and maybe you will join us in the fall?

Invincible | Casulana Women's Choir of Houston | Nov 6, 2022 Casulana celebrates the female voice and its power to inspire and culturally enrich the lives of audience and participants through artistic and educational p...

Here is a link to the second opera production of my master's program at Lamar University. I hope you enjoy! The opera begins at about the 7:45 minute mark, my first aria begins at about 10min., my second aria is at about 38 minutes, and I am on stage until the end.

FYI there seems to be a problem with the video...the timing is slightly off. Hopefully this problem will resolve. If not, maybe the videographer can fix it. I will update the link if I can repair it.

Der Betrogene Kadi The second opera of my graduate degree at Lamar. As always, there are never "perfect" live performances; however, I am proud of the work put into the show :-...

A big congratulations are due for Madison Lindquist and Hayley Bermont for their hard work and dedication! Both of these beautiful young ladies were selected to participate in the 2023 Texas All-State choir 🎶🎶🎶
The all-state choir audition is a long process that involves learning of high-level music, independent sight-singing, and four elimination rounds.
I am so glad I had the opportunity to help these lovely young ladies on this journey ❤️

Student highlight. 2017 recital

all ye the music Makers - LCI Ensemble Award winning ensemble from league city intermediate. Jayden, Jessica, Ella, Mayline.

Last night I performed a solo from the Messiah with Lamar University Choir. The concert was wonderful 🎶❤️ I am so thankful that I am getting this opportunity. One semester down 3 to go!

Messiah “I Know that My Redeemer Liveth” Performed with Lamar University choir on December 2 2022

Congratulations to area candidates Hayley, Madison, and Shaylee!

Here it is 🎶❤️
This is a recording of our dress rehearsal. The Telephone, fall 2022, Lamar University, 1st semester of masters program.
See the comments for the synopsis. I recommend reading it over before you watch.

“The Telephone” 11/10 at Lamar University This is the dress rehearsal of my first ever opera production. I had such a fun time with this role and feel extremely grateful to have the opportunity to re...

My first opera is in the books!
Opera performance 🎭 The Telephone

Sometimes dreams do come true.

I have been trying to figure out how to put all my feelings into words…I don’t think I can, but I will do my best.

I have had a winding academic and professional road 😂 I wanted to be a singer, but I didn’t know what that meant or what steps I needed to follow to make it happen. It took 10 years (off and on) for me to finish my undergraduate degree. While I was in school I began teaching private voice and found a passion that still excites me today. After
graduation I taught in the public school system for 6 years, because I needed to to take care of my daughter. But that job is not the right fit for me, there was no fire in my heart for that work like I feel in my private voice teaching. So Joe and I worked hard to pay off student loans and other debts so that I could stop and focus more on my kids and ultimately rebuild my private studio.

I have always advised my students (current and former) that it doesn’t matter when you get to the finish line, just that you do. Keep moving in the direction of your dreams and you will get there…one day 🙂

At 46 I am taking my own advice…I am finally working on my masters degree and will be performing in my first staged opera this week.

I have so many emotions lately…I love my life and teaching voice to my young students brings me so much joy. BUT, I was young once and had a dream. Choices were made and I realeased my old dreams to make room for new ones. And my life is beautiful.

I am so overwhelmingly grateful that I am having this opportunity to realize a dream from my youth… Thank you Joe for supporting me on this journey. I have it all, and it’s because of you ❤️

I’m a little late posting this but,
CONGRATULATIONS to all my students for their hard work in preparing for the all-region choir! I am so proud of each of you ❤️

Treble choir:
Amara Fredrick, soprano 2
Julie Garcia, soprano 1

Mixed Choir:
Addison Stover, soprano 2
*Sarah Hurt, soprano 2
*Shaylee Beck, soprano 2
*Hayley Bermont, alto 2
*Madison Lindquist, alto 2

Students with (*) qualified for advancement to pre-area 🎶❤️

All of “The Voice Studio” students who auditioned for the region choir made it through the district audition!! Congratulations to the following students for all their hard work and moving on to the next round in the All-State Choir process!!

Alto 2, Madison Lindquist 3rd Chair
Soprano 2, Shaylee Beck, 3rd chair
Soprano 2, Addyson Stover 4th chair
Alto 1, Sarah Hurt, 5th chair
Soprano 1, Juliana Garcia,
Soprano 2, Amara Fredrick
Alto 2, Hayley Bermont

Ella has a few sports available for new students. She is very interested in working with JH choir students who are interested in participation in the all-region choir process and solo voice competitions. you may FB message me of send me a text to schedule.

My daughter is excited to start her music teacher journey! She will be teaching lessons as part of "Mary Gard's The Voice Studio" so maybe I should change to name to Mary Gard and daughter???? IDK lol Anyway, I am really excited to have her join me in my studio. As a teacher in my studio she will be able to take students to all the competitions my students participate in as well as the end of year recital.

Her rate is very competitive at $10 for 25 minutes and $20 for 50 minutes. (my rate and the standard rate for degreed/experienced teachers id $50 an hour)

She is available immediately! If your child is planning to participate in the TMEA or TPSMEA all-region/all-state process she has that music and is ready to start coaching students on that music in the summer.

Please share if you know of someone who would be interested.