Peter Ludwig
Singing is breathing out.

Contact Info:
Peter.Ludwig@juilliardalumni.net  
(212) 579-3626
http://www.ludwigsinging.com

Styles Taught
Classical/Opera, Musical Theater

Biography

I am currently on the faculty of the 92nd Street Y School of Music, and maintain my own studio in New York. I served for fifteen years on the faculty of the La Guardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts, where I taught singing, vocal literature, vocal chamber music, and directed the Opera Workshop.

I have been a soloist in recitals and concerts at Carnegie Hall (Isaac Stern Auditorium and Weill Hall), the 92nd Street Y (Kaufman and Buttenwieser Halls), and other venues in the U.S., Italy, and Switzerland. I was the soloist or a principal in six World Premieres or U. S. Premieres, of works by living and historical composers ranging from Rossini to Georg Schönberg.

I’ve appeared in a number of noted opera productions in New York, among them as Horace in the Encompass Theater revival of Blitzstein's Regina, and the Seneschal in the Vineyard Theater's acclaimed American premiere of Donizetti's Gianni di Parigi, and sung principal roles with Opera Ensemble of New York, Bel Canto Opera, Pensacola Opera, Chattanooga Opera, Rockland Opera, and at the historic Smith Opera House, Geneva, NY.

I was a finalist in the International Competition of the Center for Contemporary Opera in New York.

I am a graduate of the Juilliard School (BS) and New York University (MS). My principal teachers have been Hans Heinz, Marion Freschl, Richard Torigi, Antonia Lavanne, and Edvin Szamosi.

Singing is breathing out. I call myself a teacher of singing, believing that singing is an expression of human behavior which involves imagination, intention, and musical artistry.

My fundamental principle is to sing with released flow of breath, without interfering, holding back the breath or darkening the voice. One does not “make” voice; rather, one lets it happen. My students are guided to release compensatory tensions in the vocal tract and the body in general. A benefit of resolving external tension is the ability to perceive subtler physical sensations associated with singing, along with increased ease and spontaneity, the feeling that one’s singing is personal.

It’s vital to resolve and dispel tensions, rather than “fixing” them with compensatory maneuvers.

My studio comprises students of all ages and levels of proficiency, but I particularly enjoy teaching motivated beginners without previous training; my experience at the La Guardia HS of Performing Arts helped me to become quite resourceful in this regard. I also have helped students who felt their singing had become too labored and effortful.

I work with all voice types, from age 12, in all musical styles. My studio is in Manhattan, near Carnegie Hall.
Full hour lessons; discount for blocs of four lessons, paid in advance.
Cancellations should be made 24-hours in advance; lessons should be rebooked.
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My students express it best:
SK
Peter, I went to you to learn how to sing and I thought that would entail increasing my vocal range, breathing "properly" for singing and just making my voice sound better. However, what you have really taught me is that singing isn't just about the voice, it is about being open to life and its emotions. In fact, you don't teach so much as "allow"; allow me to be, feel, express and the vehicle of expression is through the voice. Of course as a result of this, I sing better; yes, better because, air flows more freely, my range is allowed to develop, and my voice sounds better to my ears, but now I unders tand it is better because I am allowing more of myself to express itself. Music is beautiful when it is true and my truth is being allowed to come out.

MJ
In all my years of training I have never had as much fun singing! You have a way of making me remember the most important thing in making any sound...the BREATH!!
Your way is relaxed and natural and leads to having fun while opening the channels of sound /expression on the breath. A new freedom is found in the the process and all the while it just seems like fun...

HP
Peter Ludwig's holistic teaching style helps one find their voice naturally. Through his techniques based on relaxation and muscular isolation the student has a new awareness of their habitual mental and physical patterns. Peter notices these patterns which contribute to inefficiency and compromised self expression and helps the student abandon them. The result allows one to sing with a responsive body and voice to express the song.