Gavin J.

Hi, my name is Gavin, andI am a singer and arranger from Baltimore, MD! I have been a student of music for over 8 years! My solo musical influences include artists like Jacob Collier, Tori Kelly, YYebba Jessica VVosk, and Sam Smith, but I also enjoy jazz, and contemporary a cappella! My teaching style can best be described as encouraging, adaptive, and rooted in technique. My teaching philosophy can best be described by saying that I meet students where they are in order to hone in on their strengths. In my lessons, you can expect to learn healthy vocal technique, musical interpretation with placement and dynamic color/phrasing, ear training, and overall performance skills that fit the style of music a student wants to perform in but also allow for versatility in many genres. I like to tell my students that you have to sound bad in order to sound good, and to get comfortable with making weird noises! I also say that improving your skills isn’t about achieving perfection, vocal breakthroughs are about unlocking what you didn’t know you already had! My favorite thing about teaching is seeing students light up when something finally clicks for them during a lesson, and usually it is a small adjustment and feels effortless! My favorite performance was singing my competition set with my collegiate a cappella group, Off Track, at the ICCA Mid-Atlantic Semifinals, in which I received the award for Outstanding Soloist! My students love that I can create a fun, safe space to help their voice grow and still challenge them to try new things and be unconventional. I primarily teach voice, but I can also teach basic music theory, help with vocal arranging, and prepare them for auditions! My approach as a teacher is to empower you to not only become a better singer, but also to take these lessons to strengthen your confidence as a performer and a human being. Thanks for taking a look at my profile. Hope to meet you soon!