Julia McCleery

Lessons Offered

Where are Lessons Offered

About Me

I love working with my voice students and love to see the excitement on their faces when a new technique is understood and performed. Every voice student is different. Some students are gifted with a well placed natural voice, while others have some obstacles to overcome. Because of this, it is important that I treat each student as an individual, with different expectations for each voice.

I strongly believe that exercises and vocalises in the primary lessons are an important part of building the voice and developing good vocal technique. Once we have developed the technical aspects of the voice, we can then apply that technique to songs.

My goal for all my students is to become musicians with voice as their primary instruments, and not simply "singers". We will work on solfeggio, sight singing, music theory, rhythm training, ear training, and more to help them develop as vocalists, musicians, and performers.

My Musical Education Background

I grew up in a family that loved music and singing. So it was no surprise when I decided to venture off to college for a Music Degree. I had plans to become an opera singer and be on the stage when I became a freshman but as my college career progressed, my mind began to change. I graduated from Wheaton College Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor of Music-Vocal Performance degree in 1992 trained for the stage.
In January, 1993, I married my husband Sean, a composer and music producer as well as the music director at a local church. From 1993-2010, I worked with him in the church music ministry, participating in ministry and helping to build the vocal teams. I appreciated how the church music was more accessible to the listener and relevant to my own life than that of the plots and costumes of the operatic stage. But my classically trained voice didn't easily sing the contemporary style of the Contemporary Christian Music of the day. So I trained and developed my voice to fit the style without losing the technique previously learned.

I began privately teaching voice in 2004. For some students I have helped in just preparing for a specific audition and some students continued on to become better musicians and better their art. I occassionally perfom at local venues in the community and also work as a voiceover artist for commercials/jingles. I still love the theatre, musicals and opera and I plan to be a part of them when my children are old enough to allow for the time away.

Genres and Subjects Taught

Pop, Classical, Broadway
Solfeggio, Rhythm, Music Theory, Ear Training

Lesson Rates

$25 per half hour
$45 per 45 minutes
$50 per hour

Ages / Skill Levels Taught

10 years to adult

My Certifications and Awards

Bachelors of Music - Vocal Performance
Member of NATS - National Association of Teachers of Singing

Service Area

Parent O
Perkasie, PA

"When my daughter first began vocal lessons she was enthusiastic but lacking in personal confidence. Julia has been able to not only train her in vocal technique but has been able to instill a confidence that has been unexpected. To date my daughter has auditioned for and received parts in her last two school musicals, numerous solos with her school chorus group, made Bucks County Chorus 7th chair Alto, and participated in a Cantabile Choir that traveled for competition."

Parent O
Doylestown, PA

..."D. looked forward to her voice lessons. Julia's Manner was gently but firm and I was quite pleased with the results. My daughter gained confidence in her voice and began to enjoy performing for friends and family. Recently she tried out for and was chosen to sing in an ensemble group in Jr. High."