Anna Gao
Enjoy singing? Book a lesson with me for a delightful singing journey. Classical & musical theatre.
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Anna Gao
Masters degree
/ 55 min
Anna - Get to know your vocal coach
I am a classically trained mezzo-soprano, voice instructor, and emerging opera educator with experience across performance, teaching, and stage direction. My training in opera and voice performance at McGill University and the University of British Columbia has given me a strong foundation in vocal technique, diction, musicianship, stylistic interpretation, and stagecraft. As a teacher, I work with students in classical, musical theatre, and popular repertoire, with particular emphasis on healthy breath coordination, efficient support, vocal freedom, clear diction, and expressive communication. I believe good teaching begins with understanding the individual voice: rather than imposing a single method, I adapt technical exercises and repertoire choices to each student’s level, goals, and learning style. My background in music education and RCM instruction has also strengthened my ability to integrate theory, sight-singing, musicianship, and text interpretation into lessons. In addition to performing on the operatic stage, I have experience directing opera excerpts and coaching dramatic interpretation, helping singers connect vocal technique with character, movement, and storytelling. I aim to create lessons that are technically grounded, encouraging, and artistically engaging, so that students can build both vocal confidence and long-term musical independence.
Anna graduated from The University of British Columbia
Your vocal coach specialities
Music History
Music theory
Music Performance Techniques
Sight Singing
Vocal Training
Harmony and Chords
Scales and Modes
Rhythm & Beat
CoTutorAI modules
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1-yr validity
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Learner types for singing lessons
Singing for kids
Singing for adults
Singing for intermediate
Singing for beginners
Types of singing lessons
Singing
Classical Singing
Singing concepts taught by Anna
The Student and Tutor engaged in various singing exercises, including vocal warm-ups, solfege hand sign review, and basic conducting practice. They worked on two new songs, "I'm So Tired of This So Fying" and the Latin chant "Viva La Musica," focusing on rhythm, pitch, and meaning. The session also included a performance practice of "Castle on a Cloud" with an emphasis on emotional expression, and articulation exercises using tongue twisters.
Solfege Hand Signs & Pitch Movement
Basic Conducting (4/4 Time Signature)
Reading Musical Notation: Pitch & Rhythm Fundamentals
Song Interpretation & Performance Expression
Vocal Articulation & Diction
Vocal Warm-ups & Body Relaxation
The Student and Tutor dedicated the session to preparing an audition video, focusing on singing "Do You Want to Build a Snowman" with a background track, refining timing, and incorporating acting. They also reviewed solfège hand signs and began working on a new song, "Castle on a Cloud," practicing its melody, lyrics, and character portrayal. The audition video was successfully recorded during the session, with plans for external editing.
Mastering Audition Tracks with Instrumental Backing
Foundational Vocal Warm-ups
Solfege & Sight-Singing Fundamentals
Character & Emotional Acting in Vocal Performance
The Student and Tutor engaged in vocal warm-ups, including Solfège hand gestures, and practiced an audition piece, 'Do You Want to Build a Snowman.' They then began learning a new song, 'Castle on a Cloud,' focusing on time signatures, melodic phrasing, and emotional delivery. The session concluded with a review of music note values and treble clef reading, with a plan for the Student to connect all phrases of the new song for the next lesson.
Musical Structure: Repeats and Stanzas
Phrasing and Dynamics in Song Performance
Understanding Time Signatures and Note Values
Solfege Hand Gestures
Reading Music Notation: Treble Clef & Staff Notes
The student and tutor worked on vocal warm-ups and exercises to improve breath control and vowel pronunciation. They then practiced singing "Let It Go" with a focus on character-driven acting and emotional expression, before starting to learn the new song "Castle on the Cloud" from "Les Misérables," including its musical notation and lyrical narrative.
Vocal Technique: Lip Trills and Pitch Accuracy
Musical Storytelling: Le Misérables Context
Character Embodiment in Song Performance
Musical Keys and Emotional Tone
Vocal Warm-ups: Breath Control and Vowel Shapes
The student and tutor worked on vocal warm-ups, song performance for an audition, and music theory, specifically note values, rests, and reading sheet music. They practiced interpreting rhythmic patterns and vocalizing specific note durations within the context of a song, with a plan to continue refining the performance for the audition.
Vocal Warm-ups and Vowel Production
Sliding vs. Climbing in Singing
Note Values and Rhythms
Reading Sheet Music: Pitch and Staff
Dotted Notes and Compound Rhythms
The Tutor introduced musical concepts like rhythm, note values, and rests, and vocal warm-up techniques. The Student practiced embodying the character of Anna by singing sections of a song, focusing on emotional expression and timing. They discussed how to convey different emotions through vocalization and performance.
Rhythm and Meter
Musical Notation for Rests
Musical Expression and Character
Note Duration and Beat Counting
Tools & techniques used in voice lessons
Digital sheet music & lyric databases
Ear Training Software
Metronome Apps
Karaoke & backing track apps
Vocal tuner apps
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Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.