Private Voice Lessons in Annapolis, MD
Jamie B. O'Connor maintains a private voice studio in Annapolis, MD, previously having studios in Ellicott City, MD, Tuscaloosa, AL, Springfield, IL, and Miami and Tallahassee, FL.
She is an Applied Vocal Instructor and a Teaching Artist for the Apex Arts Magnet Program at Anne Arundel County Public Schools. At Apex Arts, Mrs. O’Connor maintains a voice studio and teaches courses in Musical Theatre Performance, Pop/Rock Performance, and Audition Technique.
Mrs. O’Connor has previously served as an Adjunct Voice Instructor at Carroll Community College, the head of the voice program at The Music Factory in Springfield, IL, and served on the faculty at The Stubbs’ Music Center in Tallahassee, FL.
O’Connor’s students have been accepted to vocal performance programs and musical theatre programs around the country including Berklee College of Music, Peabody Conservatory, University of Maryland, Chicago College of Performing Arts, University of Georgia, Oberlin Conservatory, University of the Arts, and Towson University.
Mrs. O'Connor has students in various suburbs of Annapolis including Severna Park, Arnold, and Cape St. Claire.
Teaching Philosophy & Approach
My goal as a voice teacher is to create a positive environment in my studio where students can reach all of the goals they set out to achieve. It is important for students to feel a warm, welcoming atmosphere where they can make mistakes, take risks, and ask questions.
The art of singing is a whole-body experience and it is essential for students to train and practice like an athlete would train for a high-level event. I encourage students to do some sort of physical activity that has an emphasis on the abdominal muscles (i.e. yoga, pilates, tai chi, weight routine) so they feel what it is like to use the whole body as well as strengthen their core muscles. This directly relates to an appoggio based breath support, which is the technique I utilize in my own singing and in my studio. I teach my students to use their entire body when they sing.
I believe that students should practice physicality with gestures, so they can get connected to their whole body and feel a strong gravitational center. As a voice teacher, I foster a healthy vocal technique and I believe that it is necessary for students to understand how the muscles work for inhalation, exhalation, and phonation. Utilizing gestures or movement will encourage the student to create a natural and free sound, so nothing is locked and can release tension.
In addition, I believe it is important for students to have kinesthetic awareness of the process of singing. After a student has grasped a basic understanding of alignment, the body, and breathing, I tend to focus on phonation and resonance, especially having a clean onset after the inhalation. Singing relies on good muscle coordination, so careful practice and patience are needed. Students in my studio have a solid foundation, which can be applied to any style of music that they wish to sing.
Every student has different needs and it is crucial to cater each lesson to the particular student. I find parallels in my students’ lives and singing. For example, if a student plays a sport, I use elements from that activity which has aspects that are similar to vocal technique. It is essential for students to be able to relate vocal technique to something they understand well. The process of singing can at times be hard to grasp, especially for a beginning student, so it is very important to be able to connect it with something that is in a student’s daily routine.
I do not use the same set of technical tools for every student. Every singer learns differently and it is important to be aware of how each student learns and then choose the appropriate tools that will best serve the student. As a teacher, I have a great responsibility to support and encourage each student’s journey.
Jamie B. O'Connor
Student & Parent Testimonials
"I have the pleasure of knowing Jamie as a private vocal coach for my daughter. I am grateful to her beyond measure. It goes without saying she is a stellar coach, helping my daughter continue to learn and grow as a performer. Jamie is nurturing and supportive, always on a quest to maximize my daughter’s potential. She is instilling more than technical skills. My daughter is learning discipline, accountability, and through Jamie’s guidance, she has grown confidence as well. Whether preparing for a performance, audition, or college prep—Jamie has been pivotal to provide my daughter the guidance and support to help her thrive and succeed!"
"Mrs.O’Connor has transformed me as a singer and a performer. I really enjoy her lessons and she has helped me understand what helps my voice. I couldn’t imagine a better vocal teacher!"
"Mrs.O’Connor has helped me become a better singer in so many ways! Her skill in not only understanding the voice and how to use it to the best of its abilities, but also the way she explains the subjects in ways students can understand has skyrocketed my singing ability in only a few months. Every time I work with her I learn something new that makes my singing even better than it was before. Working with her has started me on my road of becoming the amazing singer I wish to become!"
"Mrs. O’Connor is a wonderful teacher! She is kind and has a very welcoming personality. She knows how to communicate in a way others can understand and is always willing to help."