Meet Vielka
Who knew my 5th grade chorus solo would pave my life's work? As a sensitive and shy child, that moment on stage helped me connect with myself, my peers, the audience and my purpose. I found a new confidence and new friends as a "singer".
Eventually this California Girl came to New York City to train as an opera singer at Manhattan School of Music. My senior year, I started a school choir in Harlem and discovered my passion was using my voice to help others find theirs. So I got my Master's in Music Education from NYU and am now 20 years into teaching and 14 years into motherhood. I'm so grateful for everything this singing journey has brought me.
Now I'm paying it forward by closing the information gap that exists in voice education for children. I've borrowed from the best - in voice, teaching and learning, child development and music literacy - and built upon it to create a comprehensive, sequential program to train young singers as vocal athletes that simply doesn't exist anywhere else.
I've helped over a thousand beginning singers learn to soar and develop clear, powerful voices by learning healthy habits from the start. I've repeatedly seen the "shy" kids conquer fear and take the stage. Finding confidence, connection and breakthroughs from a young age...that's what Young Singers Academy is really about.
Vielka's Experience
If you can talk, you can sing...and I have the track record to prove it! With 20 years of experience, I've pioneered a happy and healthy singing approach resulting in students learning to sing in tune to those dazzling the stages of school shows, family celebrations, LaGuardia High School, The Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall and Broadway.
Former Global K-12 Music Specialist at The Juilliard School and Carnegie Hall's Music Educators Toolbox creator, I'm an experienced: mentor of music teachers, musical director, choral director, music teacher, voice teacher, piano teacher, workshop presenter, curriculum and assessment writer, music and voice teacher board member, and arts administrator. Former faculties include: New York University, Village Community School, City & Country, The Metropolitan Montessori School, and The Metropolitan Opera Guild Education.
A contralto, I've performed as a featured soloist at Lincoln Center, the 92nd Street Y, the Knitting Factory and the United Nations. I premiered several new operas and performed in musicals, plays, films, concerts and recitals.
Becoming a NYC mom was a game-changer. I'm the proud mama of Waverly (14) and Wyatt (13) and kittens Sapheira & Sterling, living with my husband in Greenwich Village.
Who are YSA Voice Educators?
"Educate" means "to draw out". YSA Voice Educators draw out the inherent knowledge and strength that lies within all students, using a discovery-based approach and positive reinforcement. Educators are hand-picked after a rigorous vetting process that includes a singing audition, writing sample, multiple interviews, demo lesson and a teaching observation. They participate in our monthly YSA Professional Empowerment Program and are personally trained by Vielka in her method.
They were chosen for their
love of children, outstanding energy, creative and inspired teaching, top-tier performance degrees, and commitment to lifelong learning.
Our mission is to nurture confident voices for life.
We see and honor your child for who they are.
We are committed to keeping their love of music alive.We practice being kind, fair, safe, honest and brave.
We celebrate our diversity and commonalities as a global community of learners.
We believe in children's unlimited potential.
We believe young people are master learners and thrive in a learning atmosphere that is challenging and fun.
We value all music.
We sing as a means to build confidence to let their inner light shine.
Voice Class Redefined and Redesigned
Traditional voice classes have anywhere from 10-30+ students in a class and often focus on learning a few repertoire selections chosen by the teacher. Personal attention is either limited to a few times per term or nonexistent. Historically these classes are offered to high school and mostly college students. We limit our group voice classes to 4 students to ensure students sing and receive one-on-one instruction in front of each other every week using our Interactive Masterclass™ approach to keep everyone engaged and learning. This unique lesson structure gets even 'shy' students used to performing since it is part of our weekly routine. Students progress faster since they are learning from both their teacher and peers.
Sing What You Love
Individualized repertoire is chosen based on a conversation between the student and teacher focusing on the student's interests and developmental needs. We teach pop, rock, musical theater, folk and classical music.
Team Spirit
Singers are vocal athletes! We train our bodies, minds and spirits to sing our hearts out with emotion and skill. Our ground rules of being kind, fair, safe, honest and brave help create a fun, interactive, vocal team environment. We all have a winning feeling when students spontaneously comment, cheer and clap in recognition of each other's progress.
Process over Product
Although we celebrate our performances, it's really all about the bonding and learning process that happens behind the scenes. We train the whole musician - mind, body, heart, voice and spirit. We focus on how to sing and develop strategies that allow students to problem-solve. We focus on expression through analyzing lyrics and becoming storytellers. We learn to listen and imagine. We learn to speak, sing and read the language of music. Along the way, we challenge ourselves, face fears and reach new heights.
In order to bring you in closer to the process, each family receives:
Supportive Voice Materials - Students receive backing tracks, workbooks and more to help them practice and learn.
Online Parent Portal - Access your child’s calendar, lesson location, cancel a lesson, view your account and more.
Online Learning Journal - Get an inside look at your child's voice lessons! Watch, like, comment and help your child grow by viewing your student's lesson pics and video clips.
Music Theory Apps - Acquire apps that strengthen music reading, playing and listening skills.
Practice and Reflection
Learning to sing is like learning any instrument. We discover and experiment with our voices. And of course, practice, practice, practice! We value deliberate practice - practicing with intention, clear goals, attention to detail and constant reflection.
Students are encouraged to practice a minimum of 3 days a week. The more you put into this practice, the faster and further you will progress. We will show you the way, but it is up to you as a family to prioritize and schedule practice into your weekly routine. Put in the time and your child will feel a sense of accomplishment that can only be earned through perseverance, determination and hard work. Serious fun.
Community Celebrations
Studio-wide events foster a feeling of belonging to a greater community by including and celebrating ALL students. Mixed ages and levels help singers learn to appreciate each other and the impact of practice on skill...regardless of age.
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Communication is Key
We truly care about each student's development not only as a singer, but foremost as a human being. Please reach out with questions, concerns, challenges and successes.
Ready to Unlock Your Child's Potential?
We help kids:
ll Learn to sing in tune
ll Break through limiting beliefs
ll Ace auditions
ll Refine their craft for industry work
ll Gain poise and presence on and off stage
ll Establish healthy singing and speaking skills for life
ll Identify feelings and express emotions and ideas
ll Level up their inner game
ll Cheer each other on
ll Celebrate wins
ll Practice empathy
ll Shine their unique light
