to the Newsletter
subscribe
Meet the Teacher
Mary has the professional training and performance experience of a great teacher. This combined with a growth mindset, Mary challenges students to reach outside their comfort zone and discover what they are truly capable of.
Mary brings warmth, patience, and consistent positivity to her teaching, instilling a love of learning and a passion for authentic musical expression. Singing, like any other instrument, is a craft that can be learned and developed through intentional practice.
Whether you’re looking to learn the basics of vocal technique, nail your performance in an upcoming show, or simply enjoy singing and want to get better at it - Mary will tailor your private lessons to reach your personal goals.
Mary has experience working with students of all ages, elementary school to adult.
-Maya Angelou
“A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.”
Mary (Miss Hannigan) backstage with her daughter, Natalie (Molly), in the musical “Annie”
Mary (Mrs. Gloop) backstage with her daughter, Natalie
(Augusta Gloop), in the musical “Charlie & the Chocolate Factory”
Virgina Zeani, Soprano
Maria Williams-Kennedy, Soprano
Mary graduated Summa Cum Laude with a vocal performance degree from the University of Notre Dame School of Music, where she continued her study under Laurel Thomas, Georgine Resick, and Joan Troyer. In 2004, Mary took residency in Europe studying under Rosemary Ashe of London’s West End. Mary taught private lessons in London and performed as a concert soloist off Trafalgar’s Square.
Throughout college and after graduation, Mary toured across the United States performing in choirs and as a soloist. Mary continued to refine her craft studying and performing in New York City under Laura Portune Cordell and Elise Howe.
Mary loves applying best practice vocal technique across a variety of genres, including musical theatre, opera, jazz, pop, country, and liturgical music. Mary’s has played leading and supporting roles in several musicals over the last 25 years, including West Side Story, Annie, Godspell, Li’l Abner, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, The Wiz, Bye Bye Birdie, and Once Upon a Mattress and in the operas Cosi Fan Tutte, the Magic Flute, and the Damnation of Faust. Mary leads song as a cantor at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Larchmont, NY.
Mary holds a mastery-level of certification through the NYU Child Study Center in research-based behavior modification techniques for motivating children through positive incentives and praise (PCIT). Mary is effective at building a rapport with children of all ages, including those with special needs.
What to Expect during a Voice Lesson
Each private lesson will begin with approximately 10 minutes of vocalises to warm-up and to learn proper technique, terminology, placement, and breathing. The remainder of the lesson we’ll jump right into singing and work on translating these concepts into song. Students will have the opportunity to work on music of their choice, alongside some suggested age-appropriate Art Songs that lend themselves well to learning technique.
Trial lessons available.
30-minute lesson - $50/week
45-minute lesson - $75/week
60-minute lesson - $100/week
Rate Schedule:
Virtual and In-Person Lessons
Mary is fully vaccinated for COVID-19. When weather allows, in-person teaching is available on her back patio with social distancing. In inclement or colder weather, virtual lessons are an effective and safe option. Once students become fully vaccinated or community spread is below 5%, lessons indoors can resume with appropriate ventilation, hepa filtration, and social distancing. Lessons are taught from Mary’s home studio located just outside Scarsdale, NY.
Voice lessons are available in 30 min., 45 min. and 1 hour increments. Younger learners are encouraged to start with a 30-minute lesson. A student in middle school or early high school likely would thrive with a 45-minute lesson. An hour lesson tends to work best for older high school, college, and adult learners.
contact mary & sign up
Yes, each year Mary will offer a scholarship in Maria William Kennedy’s name to honor her first teacher. The scholarship will be awarded to a student who might not otherwise be able to afford lessons to subsidize the cost by 50%. Ask for more information.
Are Scholarships available?
Sign up for my email list to receive my
NEWSLETTER
