The Lanza Performing Arts Studio

Lessons Offered

Where are Lessons Offered

About Me

The Lanza Performing Arts Studio is available for piano, music theory, beginner guitar, and voice lessons in my Saint Augustine home and online through Skype.

More important than my conservatory education and my teaching and performance experiences is my passion for teaching music and my undying belief that anyone can learn to sing, play piano, and read music. I'm a graduate of the prestigious Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey and a winner of its merit scholarship. After performing with the New York and Royal Philharmonics, the New Jersey and Virginia Symphonies, the American Boy Choir and the internationally renowned opera star, Andrea Bocelli, studying opera and piano at Westminster Choir College and performance art and improvisational acting at East Carolina University in North Carolina, and appearing in shows and pageants across the east coast, I found my life's work in 2003 when I began teaching music. I've successfully taught hundreds of different students since 2003, from 5-year-old with special needs, to middle-aged professional opera singers, to 65-year-old doctors of music. I've created and led a workshop about singing called, "The Whole Body Singer" and written several articles about music and music education which can be found at my Facebook page (Lanza Music Studio). My extensive knowledge of the voice has encouraged and enriched hundreds of singers and prepared many to win competitions, musicals, pageants and auditions. Having both taught myself piano and received formal training at a conservatory has prepared me to teach almost anyone how to play. The intensive training and education that I received at Westminster Choir College in songwriting, music theory and sightreading has benefited my students at every level. My current work as singer and keyboardist in the acoustic rock duo, Timberwood, has strengthened my knowledge of a broad range of styles and genres.
*** Lesson Details ***
In the lessons that I teach, I'm laid back, positive and encouraging. While I want my students to have fun and love music, not dread it, I expect hard work and persistence. I am caring, patient, nurturing, and compassionate. For piano lessons, I usually allow the student to choose a piece with which to warm up and then move on to technique and repertoire. In my voice lessons, I usually warm up the singer and discuss technique and sightsinging before focusing on song choices. Joan Frey Boytim wrote a book for voice that I like to use, and I like the Estelle Liebling exercises for the more advanced singer. Hanon exercises are a big part of my piano curriculum, and I enjoy the Bastien and Alfred books for young and old. I have used completely random songs pulled out of a piano bench and a karaoke CD for kids. I will use almost anything I can get my hands on if it means effectively teaching music. Parents are always welcome to observe lessons quietly.

My Musical Education Background

I have one year of theater acting studies from East Carolina University in North Carolina and a bachelor of music degree with a concentration in voice and piano performance from Westminster Choir College of Rider University.

Genres and Subjects Taught

I teach all styles of music in my singing and piano lessons.

Lesson Rates

Thirty minute lessons are $33 Sixty minute lessons are $65

Ages / Skill Levels Taught

I teach male and female students from age 6 to age 99, including those with special needs.

My Musical Influences

Audra McDonald, Roberta Flack, Ruth Ann Swenson, Kiri Te Kanawa, Tracy Chapman, Lang Lang, Ann Wilson

Service Area

Ash A
Saint Augustine, FL

Excellent Teacher My daughter has really enjoyed her lessons with Heather. My daughter is shy and reserved and Heather has done a great job working with her. She is most excited about songwriting.

Alex G
Saint Augustine, FL

AMAZING! We love Heather! WOW! We were really surprised how amazing she is! My 16 year son was very apprehensive in getting a new piano teacher. He really enjoys the lessons and he has already improved in just a few lessons. She is very patient, upbeat, cool and funny. She is very gifted...