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SING LIKE A ROCKSTAR! Voice Lessons w/ Essence (In Person & Virtual) (San Anselmo)
offered in person
offered virtually
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Whether you are professional or a complete beginner who’s always wanted to sing, now is the perfect time to take your love for music to the next level. I am currently offering in person as well as well as virtual voice, songwriting and guitar lessons. I spend most of my time performing, recording, and writing songs, but when time allows, I teach healthy vocal techniques, guitar, and songwriting to a small number of students. Each student's journey is unique and together we tailor the lessons to your unique interests, skill set, and goals. A few voice lesson slots have now opened up and I would be honored to work with you to develop your voice and craft. I draw from the disciplines of 'Speech Level Singing' as well as classical theory that can be applied successfully to any singing style. Lessons increase vocal range, improve pitch accuracy, dynamics, vibrato, develop ear training, build confidence, anchor breath support, refine tone, learn to 'scream' without strain, and ultimately cultivate each singer's unique style and sound. Lessons begin with warm-up exercises and can be applied to musical selections in styles of your choosing ranging from rock, pop, standards, jazz, R&B, country, folk, rap, spoken word, and even classical arias. The goal is to develop healthy technique, inspire creativity, foster self expression, build confidence and find the heart of each song. ALL AGES & ALL LEVELS WELCOME.
Voice and presence have a huge impact on how we feel and how others receive us. When students "find their voice," they can achieve more in all avenues of life. Physical voice is only one part of "finding your voice." Voice is also about communication, courage, self-empowerment, messaging and artistic identity.
I'm passionate about sharing the experience I've gained in my own 25+ year and counting artist journey and performing career. (Bio + press links below.)
For those interested in songwriting we look at telling stories in the most authentic voice possible. We focus on compelling lyrical imagery, emotive melodies, memorable hooks, and study a variety of song structures and formats ranging from traditional to pop. We deconstruct the works of the greats and use them as a reference to help guide the creative process. I offer writing prompts and personalized assignments and tools to break through blocks and keep you generating new material.
We will:
- Free write
- Breakthrough limiting ideas and boundaries
- Find new ways to access the full-range of your originality and creativity through a series of exercises designed to jumpstart the creative process
- Create a platform to tell your unique story
- Conquer writer's block
- Solo write as well as collaborate
- Silence the inner critic
- Effectively mine memories
- Write more songs about more diverse subjects
I also offer guitar and ukulele lessons at beginning and intermediate levels. We explore chord shapes, strumming patterns, fingerpicking, melodies, keys, alternate tunings, popular songs, original composition, and so much more.
Lessons are available in 60 minute sessions, cost $100, and are recorded digitally, so you can review the lesson and practice on your own. Shorter lessons can be arranged and pro-rated for children.
In person -or- Virtual Lessons Available.
Singing, songwriting and music can also be a powerful tool for shifting focus and transforming personal hardship (health or otherwise- see link below to Believe Music Heals, the non-profit I founded.)
Whether you are a professional, aspiring artist, a shower-singer, or something in between, I can help you develop your voice, songs, and musical skills and craft to where you want them to be. Please email me before these spots fill up! I look forward to hearing from you!
Best,
Essence Goldman
You can learn more about my teaching approach, musical projects, and read student testimonials on the links below:
Essence (my website)
www.essenceandgoldcountry.com
Believe Music Heals: (non profit)
www.BelieveMusicHeals.org
ESSENCE GOLDMAN / BIO
Essence Goldman - yes, that’s her real name - is a sixth-generation San Franciscan, an acclaimed Americana singer-songwriter, the daughter of two flower children, she was raised in the Haight-Ashbury by her single father. Inspired by classic storytellers like John Prine, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Dolly Parton, Stevie Nicks, EmmyLou Harris and Bob Dylan, as well as modern voices like Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welsh -- her voice, and her story, is her own.
Her latest (7th) release 'Father’s Daughter' (Blue Élan Records) finds Essence Goldman mining her life’s most vulnerable moments and emerging with songs that speak across generations. The result is a collection of songs that radiate both grit and grace. Recorded with her Gold Country band, ‘Father’s Daughter’ is an intimate, gutsy, and roots-rich collection of songs steeped in Americana, Appalachian, and Country, about loss, resilience, humor; a celebration of hard-won freedom and the road back to one's true self.
A veteran performer, Essence has released multiple albums, toured nationally, and shared stages with legends including Tom Petty, Jason Mraz, Shawn Colvin, Sarah McLachlan, and Pat Benatar. She gained national attention as the voice of Bernie & the Believers, a viral NPR Tiny Desk Concert project born from her collaboration with late songwriter Bernie Dalton, now being developed into a full length feature film, with Essence co-producing in partnership with Paramount and John Legend’s Get Lifted Film Co.
Essence is also the founder and executive director of Believe Music Heals, a non- profit organization that brings people peace and hope during times of distress and hardship, or at the end of their lives, by using music as a vehicle for self expression, creativity, comfort, connection and transformation. Believe Music Heals is dedicated to bringing healing through music to those who need it most.
Essence is a dedicated and proud mother to a wonderful son and daughter.
PRESS LINKS:
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE:
https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/essence-goldman-fathers-daughter-album-release-21081768.php
PACIFIC SUN:
https://pacificsun.com/harmony-and-heart-with-essence-gold-country-at-sweetwater/
MARIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL
https://www.marinij.com/2023/01/03/marin-project-parlays-music-lessons-to-unlock-creativity-from-trauma-terminal-illness/
NPR All Things Considered:
https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2018/04/19/603304818/after-getting-lou-gehrigs-diagnosis-california-man-makes-album-with-help-of-frie
NPR All Songs Considered / Bob Boilen Feature:
https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2018/04/03/598875983/new-mix-young-fathers-confidence-man-a-stunning-tiny-desk-contest-entry-more
Bernie & The Believers Feat. Essence - "Unusual Boy" Tiny Desk Video Entry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gv6FHEmbhY
Bernie & The Believers Feat. Essence Tiny Desk Concert at NPR Headquarters in Washington DC:
https://youtu.be/UPQsEoYHekg
SF Chronicle Front Page Feature:
www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/How-a-grim-ALS-diagnosis-created-beautiful-music-12897983.php#photo-15522963
SF Chronicle Documentary Film / AJ+
https://www.facebook.com/ajplusenglish/videos/10156548391474524/UzpfSTExMzk5NjY0ODU6MTAyMTY2ODE1Mzc0ODc3MzY/?notif_id=1527182804253818¬if_t=feedback_reaction_generic
SF Chronicle Feature #2:
https://www.sfgate.com/music/article/Songwriter-Essence-Goldman-performs-for-a-friend-12557209.php
Music Video ‘In Your Shoes:'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GheN9Gi0ZZ8
Press/ videos for Essence’s "Black Wings" album
San Francisco Chronicle:
http://m.sfgate.com/music/article/Essence-gives-heartache-flight-on-Black-9179727.php
Marin IJ:
http://www.marinij.com/arts-and-entertainment/20161117/heartache-fuels-essences-new-albums-dark-beauty