Ravyn Lenae
I have been teaching voice students for the past two years. Though I have a Master of Music Degree and have extensively studied vocal pedagogy, I was never inclined to teach. I was very busy with my own performing career and just didn’t feel that I had the time.
During the summer of 2013, I received a call from The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts), asking if I would like to teach there. I was surprised and flattered by this invitation. After adjusting my schedule, I decided to take the challenge.
As a result of my book Music, Money & You; Managing the Business, I was asked to teach a course called Professional Development for Vocalists. My class consisted of 16 eager high school juniors. After just one class period, I fell in love with these bright, engaging young students. We covered a great deal of material. The students learned a lot from me and I learned a lot from them. It was a wonderful exchange.
For the 2014-2015 academic year, I was asked to teach Music Theory Fundamentals in addition to Professional Development for Vocalists. These two courses would give me a classroom teaching load of 6 hours per week. This was perfect, as I would still have time for my own performing and speaking engagements. The Music Theory Fundamentals class would consist of 12 freshman students. This was a new challenge but I rose to the occasion and I have loved every minute spent with these students.
In addition to teaching in the classroom, I have taken on a number of voice and piano students in Dr. Pope’s Private Music Studio. I am very proud of each and every one of my private students. They are exceptionally talented and they are doing wonderful things. Ariana Burks is starring as Alice in “Wonderland, Alice’s Rock and Roll Adventure,” Eden Elyse is playing the role of Little Inez in the Drama Group’s production of “Hairspray.” I am working with Rachel to write original music and prepare a recording project. Eleven year old Noa is learning a classical Italian Art Song and I am working with Nathan to prepare a singing/guitar presentation for his September Bar Mitzvah. Jordan is getting ready for a concert that she’ll be doing in the fall and I’m teaching Chloe and Shane piano along with the basics of music theory. Samareah, Christian, Vanessa, Maya, Esperanza and Jillian are preparing for juries and upcoming auditions.
My voice student and protege Ravyn Lenae is a sophomore at ChiArts and is really making a splash on the music scene. She has recorded her original song entitled Blossom Dearie and has made a music video. I have shared a link to her music video below. Ravyn Lenae is someone to watch. She’s talented, lovely and on her way! Check out Ravyn Lenae!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bab7f4ML2tE&list=PLKgt2yjP9kkivdJ3eluuKw9OZJIBBbxrk
The Music Business Expert Blog, By Greta Pope 