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
Vocal Training
Music production & recording
Music Performance Techniques
Music History
Rhythm & Beat
Sight Singing
Scales and Modes
Harmony and Chords
CoTutorAI modules
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Learner types for singing lessons
Singing for intermediate
Singing for adults
Singing for beginners
Singing for kids
Types of singing lessons
Singing
Classical Singing
Singing concepts taught by Anna
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.
Understanding Time Signatures and Note Values
Musical Structure: Repeats and Stanzas
Phrasing and Dynamics in Song Performance
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 Warm-ups: Breath Control and Vowel Shapes
Musical Keys and Emotional Tone
Vocal Technique: Lip Trills and Pitch Accuracy
Character Embodiment in Song Performance
Musical Storytelling: Le Misérables Context
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
Dotted Notes and Compound Rhythms
Reading Sheet Music: Pitch and Staff
Note Values and Rhythms
Sliding vs. Climbing in Singing
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
The student participated in an introductory Western classical singing lesson, focusing on vocal exercises, breathing techniques, and vowel articulation. The tutor discussed strategies for preparing the student for formal music examinations like Trinity College and ABRSM, and planning for future lessons to achieve Grade 1 certification.
Vocal Range and Pitch Accuracy
Trinity College Music Exams
Vowel Sounds in Western Classical Singing
Breath Support in Singing
The student worked with the tutor on vocal warm-up exercises and preparing an audition song for a children's performance. They practiced humming, lip trills, and singing scales, and began analyzing the emotional content and vocal delivery of "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" The tutor also briefly touched upon the fundamentals of reading sheet music and its benefits for vocalists.
Vocal Warm-up Techniques
Vocal Range and Pitch Accuracy
Musical Interpretation and Acting through Song
Reading Sheet Music and Musical Notation
Tools & techniques used in voice lessons
Ear Training Software
Vocal tuner apps
Vocal pitch training apps
Karaoke & backing track apps
Metronome Apps
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