GET TO KNOW US…
Leah Balding
VOICE • PIANO • YOGA
BMus, RCM Gr 7, CYT 200, TCTSY 20 hr
Leah has been playing piano since the age of 7, growing up in a family with eclectic musical tastes. She graduated from the University of Alberta in 2019 with a Bachelor of Music in Voice, and loves teaching voice and piano. Her teaching method for voice focuses on increasing body awareness to facilitate the connection between breath support and the body, giving freedom to the voice. Piano was her first instrument, and she loves helping beginners of any age discover and learn to read music. She completed her 200 hr YTT at Lion’s Breath in 2012, and during her undergrad she experienced firsthand how seamlessly voice and yoga combine.
Read her artist bio here.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
My goal is to create a supportive and compassionate space for learning, where students feel free to experiment and express their creativity. Learning music is a process that should be fun and rewarding! Finding the right teacher is an important step as everyone learns differently. I believe that having a teacher who trusts in your process, and can adjust to your needs as a student, is essential to a supportive learning experience.
When teaching voice, I believe a strong technical foundation requires proper breath support. This can be achieved by understanding the connection between breath and the body, which involves increasing body awareness, releasing tension in the body, and learning how to breathe and sing with freedom. As a music teacher, my desire is to instill a set of skills that can be applied to every piece of music that you encounter. Music is a language, and a strong sense of rhythm, phrasing, diction, and interpretation will give you a steady foundation to build your artistic expression as a performer, whether it is for an audience, or for your own enjoyment.
I am continually sharpening my skills as a musician through various workshops and programs including Alexander Technique, opera programs and workshops, acting classes, and performing. I am also studying under the mentorship of soprano Frances Ginzer.
I look forward to welcoming you to my studio and working with you to reach your musical goals!
What students are saying…
Trang Do
STUDENT
“I had no musical background and was quite nervous coming in for my lesson. I didn’t know what to expect or what to do. Leah made me very comfortable and she exceeded my expectations. She explained things in a clear, simple format. Easy for me to follow along. She’s very easy going and won’t judge you even if you don’t know music.
I would recommend Leah as a vocal teacher to all my friends!”
