Liz Tobias
Lesson Feesfrom $60.00 / 30 Minutes
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About
Liz Tobias is a seasoned vocalist and pianist who has been recognized as a "breath of fresh air on the world jazz stage." A unique mix of soul and sharp technique, Liz draws audiences in with her Australian charm and creative interpretations of works old and new. Liz was featured at the world famous Sydney Opera House in 2017 for the cenntenial cellabration of Ella Fitzgerald. She took out the Grand Prix in the International Jazz Voicingers Competition (Poland) in 2009, first place in the Jazz Voices Competition in 2014 (Lithuania) and was ranked 3rd in the prestigious National Jazz Awards (Australia) during 2012. Familiar with the Jazz summer festival circuit, Liz has performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival (CH), the Panama Jazz Festival (PAN), Wangaratta Jazz Festival (AUS), the Clark Terry Jazz Festival (US) and the Easy Jazz Festival (POL) among others, where she has worked with jazz greats Quincy Jones, David Linx, James Morrison, David Holland, John Harbison, Ben Monder, Luciana Souza and Jarek Smietana.
Liz has taught on the jazz faculty at the University of New Hampshire as their Jazz Choir Director, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as an Artist in Residence and at the New England Conservatory as a Teaching Fellow. She is currently in the process of finishing a Doctorate in Musical Arts in Jazz Voice at the New England Conservatory on a Presidential Scholarship under the guidance of leading jazz performers and educators such as Dominique Eade, Ken Schaphorst, Jason Moran, Frank Carlberg, Miguel Zenon and Jerry Bergonzi. Liz also holds a master's degree from New England Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music with Honors in Vocal Jazz Performance from the Elder Conservatorium of Music.
Liz’s passion for music extends beyond the stage into the classroom, with over a decade of experience as a dynamic educator in a range of settings. Her ability to connect with students of all ages serves as a positive pathway for developing their individual craft and style. She focuses largely on vocal health, Jazz improvisation, diversity in musical styles and confidence-building techniques.
Previously on faculty at the University of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in Berklee College of Music's Faculty Outreach Program and the New England Conservatory, Liz feels strongly about investing in the next generation of musicians. A big advocate of well-rounded education for all singers and a sense of equality among all who contribute as instrumentalists to the world of music, Liz shapes much of her teaching with a consideration of the sociological issues that arise for professional vocalists. In all of these roles, she has and continues to teach voice, piano and improvisation. She has led Jazz clinics around the world in Australia, Poland, Panama and the United States in both school and festival settings. To support this work, Liz has developed curricula ranging from beginning vocal technique to Jazz history and the art of improvisation and is currently researching on sociological issues surrounding the contemporary vocalist.
Liz is currently finishing a Doctorate in Musical Arts degree in Jazz Performance with a secondary focus in Music-in-Education. In the past she has worked closely with Dr. Larry Scripp, a leading figure in the Music Education field, serving as an assistant for his courses and research on talent, and providing support for departmental workshops and concerts. She has also worked as a teaching artist through the conservatory’s Community Performances and Partnerships Program, where she collaborated with a vocal group at the Virginia Arts Festival and taught workshops in an array of schools.
Education
New England Conservatory, Boston, MA
Doctor of Musical Arts, Jazz Voice, (ABD status pending May, 2019)
Master of Music, Jazz Voice, 2014
**Valedictorian with honors, majoring in Vocal Performance with a Concentration in Music-in-Education
**Recipient of a full NEC Presidential Scholarship for 2015 – 2017
Elder Conservatory, Adelaide, Australia
Bachelor of Music, Jazz Studies (Honors) Concentration in Vocal Performance, 2010
Bachelor of Music, Jazz Studies, Concentration in Vocal Performance, 2004
Estill Voice Training
Level I and II Certification, 2018
Level I and II Certification, 2011
Level I and II Certification, 2001
Alexander Technique
6 months of one-to-one studio lessons. 2013
Performance Experience
Live at the Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia, 2017
Performed in Ella Fitzgerald’s 100th Birthday Celebration.
Live with Luciana Souza and Guillermo Klein, Kresge Auditorium at MIT, Cambridge, 2017
Performed in Concert playing Souza’s original music.
Live with Chris Potter, UNH, Durhan, 2017
Performed in Concert playing Souza’s original music.
Live with Dave Holland, Jordan Hall at NEC, Boston, 2016
Appeared in Concert with triple Grammy recipient, David Holland.
Playing the music of Kenny Wheeler, featuring Nick Smart (UK).
Live with John Harbison, Killian Hall at MIT, Cambridge, 2016
Performed in Concert with Pulitzer Prize winning, MacArthur Fellow John Harbison.
Thelonius Monk Institute of Music, at UCLA in Los Angeles, USA 2016
The only singer from across the world considered for the Institute’s 2016-2018 Masters Program.
Live at COMA Adelaide with James Muller (AUS), Adelaide, Australia 2016
Appeared in Concert with Muller playing my originals to a sold out show
Live with Ben Monder, Kresge Auditorium at MIT, Cambridge, 2015
Performed in Concert with Monder playing his originals
Live with Luciana Souza, Brown Hall at NEC, Boston, 2014
Performed in Concert playing Souza’s original music.
Live with Dave Holland, Brown Hall at NEC, Boston, 2013
Appeared in Concert with triple Grammy recipient, David Holland.
Playing his originals and his arrangement of my own composition.
Jazz Voices International Singing Competition, Klaipeda, Lithuania, 2014
1st place in European Jazz Competition
• Best Improvisation Award
• Audience Nomination Award
More Than Four Meets Brazilian, Berklee Performance Center, Boston, 2014
Alto/Soprano with 4-piece Acapella vocal ensemble
Panama Jazz Festival, Main stage in the City of Knowledge, Panama City, Panama, 2014
Vocalist and workshop presenter
• Chosen to represent New England Conservatory’s Jazz department
• Performed in a variety of concerts, including appearing on the main stage of the Festival
Liz Tobias International Tour, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,
Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Australia, 2013
Vocalist/pianist and workshop presenter
• Initiated, managed and fully promoted a 6 week tour across two continents, presenting original music, new music and Jazz standards.
Virginia Arts Festival, Virginia, United States of America, 2013
Vocalist and workshop presenter
• Performed and presented workshops in approximately 12 venues ranging from elementary and high schools through to retirement villages.
• Presented music from the 30s, 40s and modern pop arrangements in a four-part vocal group setting.
Australian National Jazz Awards, Wangaratta, Australia, 2012
3rd place
• Placed third in Australia’s most prestigious Jazz Competition, appearing in front of a panel of top Australian Jazz musicians.
Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, 2011 Finalist
• A Finalist in Switzerland’s Shure Jazz Voice Competition, appearing in front panel presided by the honorable Quincy Jones.
• Directed the Pembroke Jazz Band, appearing on the ‘Jazz in the Park’ stage as part of the festival.
Easy Jazz Festival and National Tour, Poland, 2010 Head line act
• Head lined the Easy Jazz Festival in Poland, then toured Poznan, Krakow, Katowice, Zory and Warsaw, performing at the Poznan Blue Note and Tygmont Jazz Club in Warsaw.
• Performed with the Jarek Smietana (Pol) trio in concert houses across the country.
Voicingers International Jazz Singing Competition, Zory, Poland, 2009 Winner
• Competed against 11 singers from around the world to claim the international title.
• Judges presiding on the panel were renowned Polish magazine editor and journalist Pawel Brudoski, Belgium Jazz singer David Linx and Chicago-based Jazz singer Grazyna Auguscik.
Adelaide Arts Fringe Festival, Adelaide, Australia, 2008 Performing Artist
• Performed in the Motown Revue, featuring a 19-piece big band and vocals. Arranged and performed covers of Motown hits to crowds of up to 450 people.
Debut CD release, Adelaide, Australia, 2007 Recording Artist
• Released debut independent album A Beautiful Friendship that gained rave reviews and airplay on radio stations around the world, countries including Poland, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan.
Grand Intercontinental Hotel Live-in Residency, Seoul, South Korea, 2006 - 2007 Performing Artist
• Played 6 nights per week at The Silk Road, a private club for Hotel members only. Piano and singing requests and piano bar type music for 4 months, living in the 5 star hotel.
Generations in Jazz Vocal Scholarship, Mt Gambier, Australia, 2004 Finalist
• One of four finalists chosen from around Australia to compete for the James Morrison Vocal Scholarship. Performed to an audience of more than 6000, judged by James Morrison, The Idea of North and Australian Jazz singer Kristen Cornwall.
Adelaide Jazz Festival, Glenelg, Australia, 2002
Performing Artist
• Performed with The Adelaide Connection, Elder Conservatory’s university 18-piece choir as a featured soloist for the state’s main Jazz festival.
Teaching Experience
Silver Arrow Band, Boston, Albany, Rochester, New York.
Lead Singer Training and Professional Developer
• Training approximately 70-75 singers, covering a wide variety of topics ranging from band leadership to PA set up and client management.
Maine All-State Jazz Festival, Hampden, USA, 2017
Jury Member and presenter
• Served as judging panel member, offering feedback and a running commentary on competitors.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 2015 - present
Jazz Voice Faculty
• Jazz Choir director, vocal coach and accompanist
• Writes curriculum, evaluates student progress, event organization and administration
• Involves teaching 8-10 students diversified in majors from across the Institute.
• Performances with Ben Monder, Jacob Collier, Dominique Eade and Luciana Souza.
University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 2015 - present Jazz Voice Faculty
• Jazz Choir director and accompanist
• Writes curriculum, evaluates student progress, auditions prospective students.
• 12-16 undergraduate majors from programs across the University.
Boston Arts Academy, Boston, MA, 2014 - 2016 Jazz Voice Faculty
• Instructs Jazz technique class, conducts choir, arranges music, teaches private lessons, and accompanies ensembles and individuals.
• Writes curriculum, evaluates student progress, auditions prospective students.
• 15-20 Jazz voice majors in junior and senior year.
University of New Hampshire Summer Youth Music School, Durham, NH, 2015–2017 (annually)
Jazz Voice Faculty
• Choir Director and daily vocal master-classes instructor, guest performing in the evening. On the audition panel for incoming students. Composing arrangements and new works for singers to perform.
Berklee Faculty Outreach, Boston, MA, 2014 - 2016
Jazz Voice Faculty
• Studio teacher and accompanist.
• Ages 13-18
• Approximately 20-25 students over the two years
Clark Terry Jazz Festival, University of New Hampshire, Durham, USA, 2016 - 2017
Jury Member and presenter, guest artist and workshop presenter
• Served as adjudicating panel member, offering feedback and a running commentary on competing vocal groups and soloists.
New Hampshire All-State Jazz Choir Competition, Stoughton, USA, 2015
Jury Member and presenter
• Served as judging panel member, offering feedback and a running commentary on competitors.
Berklee Prepatory Summer Program, Boston, MA, 2015
Voice Faculty
• Jazz choir conductor and arranger, studio teacher and accompanist.
• Ages 8-13, studio and ensemble work.
Berklee Prepatory School, Boston, MA, 2015 - 2016
Jazz Voice Faculty
• Jazz choir conductor and arranger, studio teacher and accompanist.
• Ages 8-13, seven studio students and a vocal group.
New England Conservatory Prepatory School and Continuing Education, Boston, MA, 2015
Faculty
• Teaching jazz history, jazz arranging and theory
• Taught on the history of Miles Davis and the development of Bebop in the 1950s
New England Conservatory Summer Jazz Lab, Boston, MA, 2014 - present
Voice Faculty
• Served as one-to-one voice instructor and ensemble coach giving daily vocal master-classes and guest performing in the evening. On the audition panel for incoming students.
Massachusetts Association of Jazz Educators Jazz Competition, Stoughton, USA, 2014 - 2015
Jury Member and workshop presenter
• Served as judging panel member, offering feedback and a running commentary on competitors.
• Presented a workshop with the vocal group More Than Four.
Panama Jazz Festival, Panama City, Panama, 2014 Workshop presenter and performer
• Led multiple workshops and presented resources to a class of approximately 50 participants.
New England Conservatory Music-in-Education Department, Boston, USA 2012 - 2016 Departmental Assistant and Teaching Assistant to Dr. Larry Scripp
• Documentation specialist and portfolio systems administrator for all MIE related courses
• Event co-ordination and project management, tutoring and grading
• Taught seminars and classes at Graduate/Undergraduate levels
• Assisted in the writing of course curriculum and approved and immediately implemented syllabi
New England Conservatory History and Jazz Departments, Boston, USA, 2012 - 2014 Teaching Assistant to Prof. Anne Hallmark and guest lecturer to Dr. Brian Levy
• Assisted in tutoring and grading students
• Taught multiple classes at Graduate/Undergraduate levels, presenting on a variety of jazz and history topics including: Thelonius Monk, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Nina Simone, Janis Joplin and, more generally, Women in Music.
• Assisted in the writing of course curriculum and event co-ordination
Tabor Adelaide (University), Goodwood, Australia, 2008 - 2012
Modern Voice Faculty
• Studio of 15 students and vocal ensemble coaching.
• Prepared students for half yearly evaluations in accordance with departmental requirements for each year level. Focused on fluency, repertoire, improvisation, interpretation and vocal technique.
• Designed pilot master-class curriculum, which was implemented as course standard.
Concordia College, Highgate, Australia, 2008 - 2012
Modern Voice Faculty
• Private voice and piano instruction with emphasis on Jazz, Musical Theatre and Pop to ages 12-18.
• Focused on technique, interpretation, musicianship, style and stagecraft.
• Prepared and accompanied students for senior moderations and examinations, of which many received full scores and state-level merits and awards.
• Toured with vocal ensemble to Generations in Jazz festival (Mt Gambier, South Australia) in 2012.
Pembroke School, Norwood, Australia, 2007 - 2012
Modern Voice Teacher, Jazz Band, Jazz Choir Director – Extension Faculty
• Private voice and piano instruction with emphasis on Jazz, Musical Theatre and Pop to ages 10 -18.
• Prepared and accompanied students for senior moderations and examinations, of which many received full scores and state-recognized merits and awards.
• Designed and implemented theory/musicianship programs at a high school level.
• Toured to Europe in 2011 performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival.
Styles and Craft: Jazz, Blues, Soul, Theater and Pop
Suitable for ages 12 and older with any background and skill level.
Includes a focus on music styles with individual, positive critique for performing students.
A focus on stagecraft, audience connection, song interpretation and delivery.
Particularly well suited to students preparing for assessment.
Piano accompaniment included within the booking.
Technique, Health and Vocal Awareness
Suitable for ages 12 and older with any background and skill level.
Paper Laryngeal Model making requires desk space and classroom resources.
Includes anatomical breakdowns of the voice with interactive vocal exercises.
A larger focus on vocal health and preservation is optional.
Scatting 101 – Vocal Improvisation Workshop
Suits students of all ages, backgrounds and skill level.
Includes learning tunes, trading melodic ideas and offering scatting techniques.
Jazz piano accompaniment included within the booking.