Teaching Bio

In a nutshell:  Merrill Leffmann has a Masters in Music Performance (voice), as well as many years of study under masters in various genres.   Merrill has sung in concerts, opera, musical theater (legitimate, straight, belt), barbershop competitions, club jazz, and studio work, as well as creating and performing her own one-woman cabaret shows.  Ms. Leffmann works with singers of many levels and ages – from children, to adults fearing they are tone deaf, but hoping to recapture the joy of song, to pre-professionals preparing for a career in music, to professional singers who are experiencing vocal challenges.  More information can be seen below.

Ongoing Training with Masters of Various Genres

  • Owner-Operated Vocal Studio in AZ, 2000-present
  • Owner-Operated Vocal Studio in CA, 1995-1999
  • Participant of Week-long Seminar with VoiceCare Network (2000)
  • Former Member of MTAC and Seminar Participant

Music Training

  • Anne Thornton, 2002- present (cabaret/pop/soul)
  • Dave Stroud, 2004 (one year of lessons during his visits for SLS)
  • Edward Sayegh, 1996-1999 (opera/musical theater)
  • Masters in Voice, San Jose State University, 1996 (opera/art song)
  • Michelle Rivard, 1980s (jazz/club)
  • Ray Brown, 1980s (jazz arrangement)
  • Many years piano training, 1970s-1984


Music Experience

  • Vocal Concerts (solo cabaret, personalized, salon)
  • Musical Theater (legitimate, straight, belt)
  • Barbershop
  • Opera (lyric soprano and mezzo supporting roles and chorus)
  • Club Jazz and Studio Work
  • Pianist for 2-Week Youth Tour in Europe

 

Other Skills and Training

  • Songwriting, script writing, German fluency
  • Italian studies, transcription and arranging skills