The Empowered Musician:
Empowered VoCal Pedagogy
a Self-paced Course with Dr. Dana Lynne Varga
Less talk, more action:
A hands-on approach to vocal pedagogy
An in-depth course experience,
taken at YOUR pace.
Did you walk away from your undergrad and graduate programs feeling unprepared to teach voice students?
It’s an all-too-common gap in college / conservatory training, and I’m on a mission to fill that gap for you with practical, real-world tools.
Perhaps you are an experienced teacher looking for new inspiration and tools for your toolbox.
Or a singer who does NOT teach but wants a technique overhaul!
I’ve got you.
Level up with Empowered Vocal Pedagogy.
This course takes a modern, science-backed, no-nonsense approach to pedagogy. Material is presented in relatable and digestible ways.
We’ll dive deep into practical, actionable exercises tailored to meet the unique needs of your students—and you’ll gain a clear understanding of their purpose and specific application, empowering you to become a more focused and effective teacher.
-
![Close-up portrait of a smiling woman with curly dark hair, red lipstick, and earrings, wearing a blue outfit.]()
Rae-Myra Hilliard
Performer, Voice Teacher and Lecturer
"Dana is an artist-athlete who understands the importance of continued study. Her Empowered Pedagogy course challenged me to re-evaluate my pedagogical thoughts on vowel formation throughout the vocal range, amongst other concepts. Her observations on my teaching have helped me grow immensely; they have not only positively impacted my teaching but have proven fruitful in my own singing."
-
![A woman with short dark hair wearing an orange top and sparkling bracelet posing against a colorful background with yellow and blue shades.]()
Sarah Ann Duffy
Mezzo-soprano and Voice Teacher at NEC Preparatory
“This course has completely upleveled my teaching. I currently teach in my own private studio as well as at NEC's preparatory and adult education programs. I love how the material suits the types of students I work with, covering a wide range of skill level and ages. The science backed approach to Dana's teaching, lectures, and content are both fascinating and digestible and have motivated me a lot as an educator.”
-
![A woman with blonde hair smiling in front of a decorated background. Overlaid text with a quote from Yunona Tabala-Crofoot, soprano, discussing her teaching style.]()
Marie McCarville
Professional Singer and Voice Teacher
“Dana’s up-to-date knowledge, coupled with her keen ability to organize vast amounts of information pairs beautifully with her succinct teaching methodology and unwavering belief in the potential of each individual she collaborates with. Dana has instilled in me a profound sense of inspiration to advocate for all singers, teachers, and entrepreneurs in the realms of physical, mental, and business well-being. I wholeheartedly intend to pursue additional courses from Dana in the future.”
-
![Portrait of Julius P. Williams III, a young African American man with short, curly hair, wearing a white shirt, black vest, and tie, in an indoor setting with blurred background.]()
Stacie Berardi
Soprano and Voice Teacher
“This course helped me access vocal freedom I was chasing for years. In just weeks, I found more resonance, improved agility, ease and a new awareness of muscles, tongue and laryngeal positioning. Concepts that once felt abstract now click, and my teaching has leveled up with it. This class doesn't just inform - it transforms.”
HOW IT WORKS:
→ Watch each prerecorded 90-minute class on your own schedule, and:
→ Attend up to three live online 90-minute sessions for Q&A, mock teaching and special demonstrations. There will be two in the summer and then they will happen quarterly throughout the year.
→ Submit a 30-min video of your teaching OR your practicing for feedback!
Update Your Pedagogy!
→ Learn fully up-to-date, science-backed concepts and dozens of applicable exercises, grouped by category and purpose. Gain confidence and leave feeling excited and empowered for every lesson.
→ Lesson Structure & Practice Models: Learn how to organize and run a lesson that’s as engaging as it is effective, complete with a structured practice model to guide your students (and yourself!) toward meaningful progress.
→ Live Classes: Live online classes include mock teaching, demonstrations and in-depth Q&A. Participants will also have the chance to observe at least 3 lessons on their own time.
→ Running a Studio:
One entire session is dedicated to helping you build and manage a successful private studio, covering the business essentials you need to know.
REGISTER ANYTIME!
And hey, it's tax deductible! Woot!
← (Pedagogy nerd alert!)
Update your pedagogy and have fun doing it.
See you there.
Biography:
Dr. Dana Lynne Varga holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree (DMA) in Vocal Performance from Boston University and the Master of Music degree in Voice Performance from the New England Conservatory. A highly sought-after teacher, Dana runs a thriving private voice studio of professional singers across the US, UK, Europe and China. She has served on the faculties of the Longy School of Music of Bard College, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Framingham State University and the New England Conservatory Preparatory School. Committed to staying completely up-to-date as a pedagogue, Dana has attended the Naked Voice institute (levels 1 and 2) with mentor W. Stephen Smith, the Acoustic Vocal Pedagogy seminar with Ian Howell and Ken Bozeman, the vocal pedagogy summit at the Aspen Music Festival and the Foundations in Manual Therapy training course with Walt Fritz, PT.
As a classical soprano, Dana regularly performs a wide variety of repertoire on the opera and concert stages. She has recently appeared as the soloist in the Brahms, Mozart and Fauré Requiems as well as Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass at Carnegie Hall. She recently sang the role of Clorinda in Rossini's La Cenerentola with Boston Lyric Opera and created the role of Magistra in new opera The Onion at the Huntington Theatre Maso Studio. The Boston Globe praised both of her 2019 appearances: as the soprano soloist in Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis with the prestigious Cantata Singers and in the role of Pallas Athene in Paride ed Elena with Odyssey Opera. Dana was the first place winner of the 2016 Classical Singer National Vocal Competition.
Also an accomplished career coach and lecturer, Dana is a fierce advocate for musicians, devoted to progressive change in the classical music industry. She helps musicians forge their own unique path and thrive financially.