Teaching | inessimoessoprano

Inês Simões - the teacher

Growing up, my love for singing and classical music definitely came from the wonderful experience I had as a music student. The impact my teachers had on me - from age 4 through to university - has shaped me into the singer I am today and I have always wanted to transmit the same joy to others.

If you are looking for serious work as a voice student - you came to the right place!

My solo career encompasses a wide repertoire - from baroque to contemporary; in opera, oratory and song recital and in numerous languages.

If you are looking to learn the basics of voice or keep developing your love for singing - you came to the right place!

My experience of over a decade of teaching, from little 4 month old babies (Gordon method) to private 80 year old enthusiastic students makes me the right teacher for you.

Please scroll down to find out more about my teaching CV as well as lessons according to your needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

Master of Arts in Advanced Vocal Studies

Wales International Academy of Voice, University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Cardiff, 2012-2013

Opera Works - Advanced Training Programme

English National Opera

London, 2011-2012

Master of Music

Guildhall School of Music and Drama

London, 2009-2011

International Lied Masterclass

Conservatorium van Amsterdam

Amsterdam, 2007-2008

Bachelors in Singing

Academia Nacional Superior de Orquestra

Lisbon, 2003-2007

CURRICULUM VITAE

Flauta Mágica Project

Music Teaching for Babies and Toddlers

2016-2018

Voice, Piano, Ear Training and Music Theory Teacher

Escola de Música Crescendo, Estoril,

2013-2015

Singing, Voice Technique, Ear Training and Music Theory Teacher

Coro e Academia de Música VoxLaci

Lisboa, 2008-2009

Voice Teacher

Academia de Música Improviso

Oeiras, 2008-2009

Private Teaching of Voice, Piano, Ear Training and Music Theory

since 2007

OPERA SINGER

Alongside her passion for teaching, Inês Simões completes this sharing of music knowledge with an extensive solo career as a spinto soprano.

She has sung on national and international stages in the fields of opera, song recital, oratorio and contemporary music.

She has sung as a soloist for the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, Festival Sem Sombras, European Network of Opera Academies, Oxford Lieder Festival, Song in the City Concert Series, Barbican Hall, Barbican Pit, Sadler’s Wells, London Coliseum, British Museum, Millennium Centre, BBC Radio 3 In Tune, Antena 2...

For more information on her solo career, please refer to the Biography page.

ADVANCED STUDENTS

WHO?

These voice lessons are destined for the professional singer or advanced student - university level.

If you are serious about your practice and want to further your technique and interpretation, please: do get in touch!

I believe in true commitment and therefore... if you are considering these lessons, please note that I expect a healthy dose of concentration prior to the beginning of the lesson, so that we can make the most out of it.

WHAT?

A combination of warm-up exercises, belcanto vocalizes and repertoire is to be expected - the proportions of these will of course depend on your needs and development.

The basis of a good technique is the real understanding of vocal anatomy - I use specific exercises to target different muscles, isolating them and in combination, so that the student gradually finds their autonomy as they gather factual information. This is often described as an American technique but I think it is just common sense!

The goal of the belcanto exercises is to learn (mentally, musically and physically) patterns that will often occur in repertoire, working at the same time on flexibility, extension and joining up registers - the key to a great legato and a sound that travels over an orchestra is... CONSISTENCY!

In terms of languages, I am fluent in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and German, and also know how to read Russian, Czech, Finnish and Hungarian - bring whatever repertoire is YOUR repertoire. If you are not sure about your Fach - we will unveil it!

I am a firm believer that there should be no difference between singing opera, oratory, song or contemporary repertoire. In fact, my career is a big mixture of those genres and I just attack each piece as an isolated work of art, where you have to bring to light its sensibility, frame of sound, scope of colors and dynamics. It is very useful to focus on one style for a while as one works on consistency (for example Mozart soubrettes or Wagnerian Heldentenor roles), but variety keeps the voice fresh and supple!

I am happy to work at your speed - if you just need to prepare a role, competition, audition aria list or if you want to take your time to focus on technique - happy to adapt. You are an individual and it is your path that I will commit to embrace and help along!

HOW?

Each lesson lasts one hour at the rate of 40 euros (conversions will be adjusted for pounds or dollars if necessary).

Payment is due on the first day of each month, according to the number of lessons on that month.

There are discounts for packs of 5 or 10 hours and sessions can be longer, although more than two hours is not advised.

Online lessons are also available and we can use whatever platform is more convenient for you: Skype, WhatsApp video, FaceTime video or - preferably - Zoom. Please bare in mind that a good camera perspective of your whole body is essencial for teaching, as well as a good microphone (integrated in your computer or external one). If you have a mirror and soft mat for your feet - even better!

VOICE LOVERS

If you are a beginner or want to keep up with a long term passion, I am happy to work with you to meet your goals.

The same lessons costs apply as for advanced students, but I flexible and can adjust the length of the lesson, and therefore its price.

From technical aspects to integrating music theory in your lessons, here is an array of parameters I am excited to work with:

- all ages and all levels

- operatic singing

- voice work for actors

- vocal technique: breathing and warm-up exercises

- interpretation

- role preparation: the vocal construction of a character

- stage confidence and stage fright

- ear training: solfège, oral memory and sight reading

- music theory: understanding and comparison of music structures, harmony and music analysis principles

- exam preparation

Get in touch via email - inessimoessoprano@gmail.com or leave a message here.