Voice lessons are available in 30, 45, or 60 minute weekly lessons. Program also includes two 60 minute group classes per month: music theory fundamentals and performance workshops. Plus one formal recital per semester.
Faculty
Cathy Zucker has been a vocal instructor at the Rochester Conservatory since February, 1997. She has a BA in Music Ed from SUNY Fredonia and a MM in Vocal Performance from SUNY. She was a soloist in Choral works with the Buffalo Philharmonic and has performed in numerous recitals and community Musical Theatre productions. She is comfortable with Classical, Musical Theatre, Jazz and Pop styles. She is also a Church Soloist and has been teaching professionally since 1996. In addition to her duties as a private vocal instructor at the Rochester Conservatory, Ms. Zucker is also the placement director for all incoming students and is an invaluable member of our team! She is passionate about singing and about her students. She loves to help them do what they love and she is very successful at it. Her students often have the lead roles in their high school musicals, many are pursuing careers in music, including recording albums in Nashville. Ms. Zucker’s dedication shows in the achievements of her students. She is excellent at preparing them for auditions and performances and has a high rate of acceptances into college music programs. She has a wonderful, caring demeanor and she is loved by her students.
Olivia Donnel has been a voice teacher at the Rochester Conservatory since August, 2022. She has a BM in Vocal Performance from Southern Illinois University, and is completing a MM in Vocal Performance at Oakland University. She has been a Gordon Nelson Scholar with the Detroit Concert Choir for the past two years. In 2020, she received the Encouragement Award at the MET Auditions, St. Louis District. As a teacher, Olivia focuses on healthy singing in all genres, and adapting her approach to meet each student on their individual level.
Rachel Kish has been a piano and vocal teacher at the Rochester Conservatory since June, 2013. She has a BM in Choral/Music Ed from Oakland University. She has been teaching professionally since 2009. Mrs. Kish also has an active career as a church musician and choir director. Her absolute, number one passion in life is teaching music. She has terrific organizational skills which she uses to form each lesson around a student’s strengths and areas that need improvement. Her lessons are always student-centered. She is a kind and gentle instructor.
Mezzo-Soprano Lisa Agazzi won First Prize and the Audience Choice Award at the San Diego District of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. She has performed roles with San Diego Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, Utah Opera and Indianapolis Opera. Her roles at these companies include: Alma March in LITTLE WOMEN, Fyodor in BORIS GODUNOV, Mercedes in CARMEN, Third Lady in DIE ZAUBERFLOTE and Mrs. Segstrom in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. As a Young Artist with San Diego Opera, Utah Opera, Indianapolis Opera, Pine Mountain Music Festival, and the Musica Riva Festival, she toured the United States, Italy and Mexico, singing roles including Dorabella in COS! FAN TUTTE, the title role in LA CENERENTOLA and Lola in CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA. She has also sung Adalgisa in NORMA with the South Florida Opera in West Palm Beach and Zita in GIANNI SCHICCHI with the Verdi Opera Theatre of Michigan. On the Concert stage, she recently performed the Alto Soloist in the Verdi REQUIEM with the Oakland Symphony at Orchestra Hall. She has been the Alto Soloist in Handel’s MESSIAH with Christ Church Grosse Pointe and recently performed the Pie Jesu from the Durutle REQUIEM with Grosse Pointe Memorial Church. She has been a private voice coach at Macomb Community College for the past 10 years. She also works with Chippewa Valley High School Students to prepare them for Solo and Ensemble and College Entrance Auditions. Her students have been accepted and received scholarships to attend Western Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University and Oakland University, among others. One of her Macomb Community College students is currently on Broadway performing a leading role. She is a graduate of Oakland University where she obtained both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music majoring in Vocal Performance with her minor instrument being Piano.
Adrian Popa is a veteran opera, choral, and solo performer from Romania. He obtained to Bachelor of Arts degrees from “Ovidius” University, one in Sacred Art, and another in Musical Interpretation – Canto. He has performed extensively in Romania and the United States, as a member of Orthodox Male Choir TEODOXA; in many roles as a collaborator at the Oleg Danovski Theater of Opera and Ballet; and as a choir conductor at the Church of Saint Mina in Constanta, Romania. Adrian is a good teacher and we are excited to have him on board!
Kai Stidham is a positive and compassionate teacher with energy, passion, and extensive knowledge of the Musical Theatre canon. She has been a voice teacher with the Rochester Conservatory sine June, 2022. Kai received her BFA in Musical Theatre from Oakland University in 2018, and has worked at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in the Musical Theatre program. As a teacher, she focuses on lyric and dramatic interpretation, along with healthy vocal technique.