Yetta Mae Hansell
About
I am a professional vocalist, Master Vocal Coach, piano instructor, and music educator with nearly 30 years of teaching experience and more than 20 years of professional performance experience.
I hold a Master of Music in Voice Performance from the University of South Florida and a Bachelor of Music from Temple University. I am also a Florida Certified Music Teacher and a professional member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS).
I work with singers of all levels, from beginners discovering their voices to experienced performers preparing for auditions, theatrical productions, recitals, college music auditions, and professional performances.
My specialties include:
• Vocal technique and healthy singing
• Musical Theatre
• Classical Voice
• Pop/R&B
• Audition and performance preparation
• College music audition coaching
• Performance confidence and stage presence
• Beginner-to-intermediate piano
My goal is to help each student develop a healthy, reliable vocal technique while building confidence, musicality, and their own unique sound.
Teaching Style
My teaching style is encouraging, energetic, and highly individualized. I believe strong singing begins with healthy technique, and I tailor each lesson to the singer's voice, experience, repertoire, and goals.
Lessons may include posture and body alignment, breathing and breath management, vocal warm-ups, resonance and placement, registration and transitions, diction, range development, interpretation, performance technique, and repertoire coaching.
For singers preparing for auditions or performances, we also work on musical interpretation, character development, stage presence, confidence, and strategies for performing successfully under pressure.
I want students to understand why an exercise works—not simply imitate sounds—so they can eventually apply healthy vocal technique independently.
Curriculum
I use a technique-based approach that combines classical vocal principles with practical application to the student's chosen style of music.
Each lesson is customized, but a typical voice session includes:
• Physical alignment and release of unnecessary tension
• Breath-management exercises
• Vocal warm-ups designed for the individual singer
• Technique development and troubleshooting
• Repertoire coaching and musical interpretation
• Performance and audition preparation when applicable
Students may work with sheet music, accompaniment or karaoke tracks, audition cuts, recordings, and other repertoire-specific materials. Materials are selected according to the student's age, experience, vocal development, and goals.
Credentials & Affiliations
EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS
Master of Music – Voice Performance, University of South Florida
Bachelor of Music, Temple University
Florida Certified Music Teacher
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) – Professional Member, Southeastern Region
Founder & Vocal Instructor – Riverview Fine Arts Academy, LLC
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Professional Vocalist – 20+ Years
Private Voice & Piano Instructor – Nearly 30 Years of Teaching Experience
College Music Audition Consultant
K–12 Music Educator
Musical Theatre, Classical, Pop/R&B & Audition/Performance Coach
Awards & Scholarships
Oasis Program Music Scholarship – 2013
Alice and Daniel Rosenbaum Scholarship, University of South Florida – 2008
Renaissance Singers Award, University of South Florida – 2007–2008
Manhattan Methodist Church Scholarship – 2007–2008
Dorothy A. Smith Scholarship, University of South Florida – 2007
Marian Anderson Scholarship – 2006
National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM) Award – 2006
Pro Arts Association Vocal Competition – 1st Runner-Up, 2006
