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Elayna Woods

Believe in yourself
Contact Info
Phone: 212.242.2784
Email: FrankelsWoods@bigplanet.com
Website:

Styles Taught

All styles and levels: Jazz, Cabaret, Musical Theater, Pop, and R&B.

Biography

Elayna Woods began her musical studies as a classical pianist. She attended the High School of Music & Art where she majored in voice. She went on to City College, majored in education and taught in the public school system for five years. She left teaching to become seriously involved in singing professionally.

Her successful act took her throughout the world and included major hotels in the U.S., Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Acapulco, Canada, Europe and the Far East. Besides performing for many years on the major cruise ship lines, she starred in the hit Miami Beach revue C'est Si Bon. She also was a lead singer in the Off- Broadway musical Three Women on Tilt.

Teaching Philosophy

Since 1982, Elayna has had a very successful career as one of NYC's top coaches and vocal teachers. Her own personal training and development as an international singer, plus her love and gift for teaching allowed her to formulate a unique teaching method. She uses a classical technique, but integrates it for singers who have chosen the Broadway and Cabaret stage as their venue as well as those who are interested in R&B, Jazz, or Rock.

Her patience, rapport, and her ability to tailor the technique for each student, qualifies her as a unique teacher. In addition, her love for the process, plus her optimism and encouragement makes her a gifted one.

She feels belief in one's self is the key to a successful career. That plus hard work, determination, and patience leads to singing with ease, joy, and confidence and a full healthy voice.

Elayna's studio is attractive, comfortable, and cozy. It is equipped with a piano which she plays v ery well; recording equipment and microphones.

Each lesson is taped, which enables Elayna to record vocal excercises and rehearsal tracks for at home practice.

Students are taught mic technique, personalizing lyrics, and stage movement. Everything needed to prepare for auditions, cabaret, musical theater, demos and recording.

Elayna accepts students of all ages, and levels of development. Dancers and actors are welcome.

Studio Policy

Student Recommendations:

"I truly enjoyed working with Elayna Woods. She was always attentive to my needs, encouraging, and straight up with me.When I listen back to her tapes,I remember how insightful she was during our sessions. In sum, I feel that Elayna truly cares about the wellbeing of her clients."
   - Jennifer Richman singer/songwriter

The BEST Voice Teacher in NYC
"I've been studying voice Elayna Woods for about two years. My weekly lessons have become the highlight of my week.Her expertise, professionalism, good humor, and concern for her students is evident in the quality of each lesson. After a lesson I rehearse at home with a tape she's prepared of vocal excercises which includes her piano accompaniment. Not only is she an exciting and knowledgeable voice teacher, she's also a skilled pianist who works with me to sing within my range. Elayna always has multiple tricks up her sleeve if there's a h urdle in my path to master a song. Her performing experience has given her a wonderful understanding of how to communicate through song which she teaches so well. Her warmth is infectious, and encouraging. She's fun. She's the BEST."
   - NANCY Frank  NANSKI723@gmail.com

"Elayna's deep understanding of vocal techniques & holistic approach to vocal coaching, combined with her sensibility towards my personal interests & goals, have enabled me to quickly gain the confidence I needed in order to sing. I continue to benefit from her experience, & look forward to each & every class.Thank you, thank you, Elayna."
   - Flavio Masson  flav@flavnyc.com

"As a late arrival(early fifties)on the cabaret scene, I was completely devoid of formal vocal training.Eventually, the director I was working with, felt he could no longer just tear his hair out,so he sent me off to Elayna. What an adventure! She taught me where to place notes, when and where to pre! pare, and then, though I thought I had been doing it all my life...She taught me how to sing. Add to that her nuts, and bolts knowledge of vocal performance, and you have one of those special resources that makes you better, and better, and better. If you want a stronger, more confident voice, I recommend a lesson or two with Elayna. But don't think for a moment, that you'll want to stop with only two."
  - Eli Gilbert  ejg@ieitransit.com

"I have been taking voice lessons with Elayna a year now. I always felt like I could sing, but could not reach all the notes i wanted to without a struggle. Before I began to work with Elayna it was very difficult to let my voice out without feeling nervous or ashamed that it might not sound right.Elayna taught me a technique for finding the proper placement for the voice-within what she calls "the mask." This technique worked so well for me when I sang; that eventually, I began to open up. I am so much more confiden! t with my voice these days, and that self-confidence has also improved my self-esteem. Working with Elayna is not only vocally empowering but also healing."
   - Cheryl Fawn  fawn.cheryl@gmail.com

"Elayna Woods taught me how to sing. I alway wanted to produce a sound that would make it possible for me to successfully myself, as well as others. Now I sing every day and enjoy what I hear, and apparently so do others. Thanks, Elayna."
   - Sharon Paige  mspaige86@aol.com