Anika Vanderwal
About
Originally from the New York/ Connecticut area, Anika grew up amidst some of the most beautiful music anyone had the pleasure of hearing. And as a child, she wanted absolutely nothing to do with it. But as she grew in a very musical house, it became inevitable that she, too, would join the local choir and develop her love of singing.
Since then, Anika has received her bachelors in Vocal Performance from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, and is currently working on her Masters in Vocal Pedagogy and Private Voice at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia.
As a performer Anika has performed with the Portland Baroque Orchestra, the Piedmont Singers, The Willamette Singers Vocal Jazz ensemble and many more groups- all whom have helped hone not only her keen ear for musicality, but her experience with the repertoire. She is excited to take on any and all students who wish to start (Or further!) their singing education.
I focus on healthy singing from a classical background. Learning classical technique doesn't mean you can sing anything- But it does provide an excellent platform from which to build your skills. Together as student and teacher we will asses your vocal goals and ways to achieve them while exploring the voice and how it works. I teach based on voice science in combination with traditional pedagogical technique, and I encourage curiosity and experimentation in all my students!
Bachelors in Music, Vocal Performance, Willamette University '21
Masters in Voice Pedagogy, Shenandoah University, ongoing
No required reading- However! If you are so inclined, I highly recommend;
Richard Miller's "On the Art of Singing" or "The Structure of Singing: System and Art in Vocal Technique" (both of which are staples in the voice pedagogy community)
Elizabeth Ann Benson's "Training Contemporary Commercial Singers"
or Bel Canto: A History of Vocal Pedagogy by James Stark
*All of these are highly nerdy and are in no way necessary- I just think they're fascinating