Department of Music

Private Lessons: Vocal

Private lessons are open to all members of the Brandeis community by audition.

The Music Department  has four gifted professional singers who teach voice: Matt Anderson, Krista Rivers, Kristen Watson  and Pamela Wolfe. Ten lessons are offered each semester, and this is a great way to develop your vocal instrument. If you participate in voice lessons and a voice studio, there is a co-requisite of participating in a Brandeis University ensemble.

How to Register for Voice Lessons

  1. Sign up for your voice lesson audition in advance HERE. Auditions will be August 28-30. (IF YOU ARE A NEW STUDENT).
  2. Register for MUS 112 on Workday for either the Credit or XC (non-credit section). You can do this before your audition. Make sure to request a Prerequisite Override during registration.
  3. Audition for voice lessons (NEW STUDENTS).
  4. If auditions are required, audition for a Music Department Ensemble. Audition information can be found here.  For ensembles that do not require auditions, skip to step 5.
  5. Register for an Ensemble on Workday for either the Credit or XC (non-credit) section. Make sure to request a Prerequisite Override during registration. 
    If you have difficulty registering in an ensemble consult the director of instrumental  studies, Professor Bob Nieske: nieske@brandeis.edu or director of vocal studies,  Professor Robert Duff: rduff@brandeis.edu.  
  6. Complete the Lessons Contract found here: https://forms.gle/xYiPC5Uspn3r6C8q7.

Please note that final enrollment and acceptance into a voice studio is contingent upon successful completion of a voice lesson audition. Click here for detailed information about registration and lesson requirements. 

If you have specific questions about voice lessons please contact Professor Robert Duff.

Audition Requirements

  1. Please bring two prepared works to sing, along with a copy of the music for the accompanist. This can be a classical work, a piece from musical theater, a hymn tune or folk song. 
  2. Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled audition time, come properly dressed for the audition, and be warmed up and ready to sing.

Course Requirements

  • This is an experiential learning course, offered on a credit/no-credit grading basis.

  • Yields two credits (one semester half-course credit).

  • Placement auditions will be held at the start of the semester.

  • Students registering for MUS 112a must also register for a departmental Ensemble (MUS 80a,b – 89a,b or 116a,b); 112a may NOT be taken alone. Students may petition to substitute one semester of a professionally directed non-university ensemble for their university Ensemble co-requisite.

  • A maximum of four course credits will be allowed for all enrollments in Ensemble (MUS 80a,b – 89a,b) alone or Private Instructions and Ensemble together. Successful completion of MUS 112a,b may be applied only once toward the requirements for the major or minor in music.

  • Course may be taken as a noncredit activity by registering in the XC section.

  • Studio fee: $250 fee for majors; $700 for non-majors.

  • Voice students will take ten one-hour, private lessons per semester. Fundamental skills of breathing, resonating, and relaxing will be taught along with repertory appropriate to the individual student. A ten-minute jury is required in second semester.