Elizabeth Patterson
Voice
1 hour - $90 / 45 minutes - $70
30 minutes - $56
Language: English, French.
Superior rating
ABOUT
I am a classical soprano and a voice teacher. Raised in Pennsylvania by a family of accordionists, I upended the family tradition and pursued a love of singing. I have since settled down in the San Francisco Bay Area with my husband, John, and my cat, Bubby.
I perform regularly with Bay Area opera companies. I have sung with Opera Cultura, Phénix Opera, Just Opera, Teatro Mistral, Verismo Opera, West Bay Opera Chorus, and Valhalla Productions. I am best known for my signature role with Opera Cultura as the sly seductress Carmela in La Llorona. My other roles include Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi), Ernestina (L'Occasione Fa il Ladro), Suor Genovieffa (Suor Angelica), First Witch (Dido and Aeneas), Anna Gomez (The Consul), Giulia (La Scala di Seta), Chiquita (Coyotes and Rabbits), Waldvogel (Siegfried), Monica (The Medium), Oscar (Un Ballo in Maschera), and Gerhilde (Die Walküre).
Offstage, I maintain a private voice studio of 20+ voice students. My clients include adults and children, singing a variety of styles from rock to opera.
I received a Master of Music degree from Duquesne University and a Bachelor of Music degree from Gettysburg College.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
OPERA PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE
Calavera Frida Opera Cultura 2020
Lauretta Gianni Schicchi Phénix Opera 2020
Margarita Zorro (Workshop Premiere) Opera Cultura 2019
Carmela La Llorona Opera Cultura 2019, 2014, 2012
Ernestina L’Occasione Fa il Ladro Phénix Opera 2018
Suor Genovieffa Suor Angelica Phénix Opera 2018
First Witch Dido and Aeneas Phénix Opera 2018
Anna Gomez The Consul Just Opera 2017
Giulia La Scala di Seta Phénix Opera 2017
Chiquita Coyotes and Rabbits Opera Cultura 2017
Waldvögel Siegfried Valhalla Productions 2016
Monica The Medium Phénix Opera 2016
Oscar Un Ballo in Maschera Verismo Opera 2015
Gerhilde Die Walküre Valhalla / Verismo 2015, 2013
Nella Gianni Schicchi Opera Academy of CA 2012
Amy Little Women Duquesne University 2012
Prima Cercatrice Suor Angelica Duquesne University 2011
Ciesca (Cover) Gianni Schicchi Duquesne University 2011
Rosalinda Die Fledermaus Gettysburg College 2010
Miss Silverpeal The Impresario Gettysburg College 2009
Leonora The Beautiful Bridegroom Gettysburg College 2008
TRAINING PROGRAMS
Complete Package Performer (2014)
Opera Academy of California (2012)
Duquesne University Lirica Roma (2011)
Atlantic Coast Opera Festival (2009)
Bel Canto Institute (2008)
American Opera Studio (2007)
MASTER OF MUSIC (2012)
VOICE PERFORMANCE
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
BACHELOR OF MUSIC WITH HONORS (2010)
VOICE PERFORMANCE & FRENCH
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Gettysburg College Gettysburg, PA
Teaching Experience: PRIVATE VOICE TEACHER (2009-present)
Experience with ages 5 to adult, beginner and intermediate levels
Opera, musical theater, pop, rock, acoustic, jazz
Have taught students with special needs, including memory disorders, dyslexia, learning disabilities, bipolar, and anxiety disorders
CHOIR INSTRUCTOR, MONASTERY OF PERPETUAL ADORATION (2014-2018)
Prepare the sisters of the Monastery for weekly mass and special adorations
Teach the sisters mass settings, hymns, chants, and special music
Train the sisters in 2-part harmony and aural skills
Work as a group and one-on-one with sisters to build strong voices
TEACHING APPROACH
If you want a kind and honest teacher, this is the studio for you. I offer constructive feedback, telling you what I hear, good and bad. I make sure to recognize moments of growth so you can appreciate your own progress.
Your voice lessons are a personalized experience. I adapt my teaching method to your learning style and personality. Exercises and repertoire are carefully crafted to address your goals. Not sure of your goals yet? That's okay, too. I will set goals for you.
I teach the Swedish-Italian method of classical singing. This technique emphasizes creating an open pharyngeal space, supporting the breath with an open, flexible ribcage, and relaxing unnecessary tension. The goal is to create resonance in an efficient, "effortless" way!
REVIEWS
“I’ve been taking voice lessons with Liz for about two years and couldn’t be happier with how far I’ve come as a singer! Liz is patient, engaging and very adept at refining weaknesses in my voice.
When I first started as a complete novice, she focused on stabilizing my breathing and air control. As I improved, she helped me with vowel tones, consonant placements and extending my range in both directions. I remember being super excited the first day I realized I had a stable vibrato!
We’ve worked on a very large range of repertoire ranging from Bach cantatas to Hamilton musical. Liz also often recommends relevant auditions in musicals/operas and worked with me to prepare my audition pieces. Since last year, I’ve performed in my first musical and G&S operetta!
I highly recommend Liz for anyone looking to become a singer, improve their voice and/or just want to experience what it’s like to resonate your body with a properly controlled voice!
”
“I’ve been singing now for just over 20 years, working with different instructors from my high school chorus teachers, to my voice instructor in college to vocal lessons by CD. NONE have been able to get the best out of me like Liz has. Her understanding of how different voices work is the greatest strength every vocal instructor should strive for. I feel and hear a vast improvement in how my voice sounded before her and after her. So to anyone who’s looking for an instructor who works with YOU and not someone who teaches the same lessons to everyone they work with, Liz Patterson is the one you want to work with!”
“Elizabeth has been fantastic at not only providing real time feedback/corrections, but also extremely helpful with clear guidance on how to practice with proper technique. The lesson format is very relaxed and it always feels like progress has been made. She’s an absolute joy to work with and I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking a vocal coach!”
“I have been out of vocal training for ten years and I couldn’t have found a better vocal coach to get back in the game! She is so encouraging and knows exactly what she’s doing! Would highly recommend!”
“Liz is the best!! I’ve had some vocal lessons before and Liz is definitively the best instructor I’ve ever had. She works with my voice and really focuses on the fundamentals, which helps me get rid of the bad habits that I’ve built over the years of singing in the wrong way. Once the fundamentals are right, it becomes so much easier to hit the notes with clarity and stability. I love how she spends time to understand my own strengths and weaknesses, and not just trying to make me sing like everyone else. She picks the songs that work for my voice, are interesting and challenging. I love taking Liz’s classes!”
“I have made a lot of progress since I started studying with Liz. She communicates clearly about the area that needs improvement; and also introduces me to a variety of vocalise and practice technique. Liz is very supportive and encouraging. I highly recommend Liz a singing instructor.”
“Elizabeth is patient, kind, and does an excellent job coming up with analogies and exercises for her students. Thanks to her, I have gained a great deal of confidence as a singer. Her teaching style is always constructive, but never critical or judgmental. She approached every class with a positive attitude and taught me how to use my skillset to improve as a singer. She even taught me a great deal about the piano and how to play as I sing. Moreover, she always asked about my day, my life, and how I was doing, and she always managed to put a smile on my face by the end of the lesson. She is a great teacher, person, and mentor that I couldn’t recommend more highly.”