Hello!
Thank you for your interest in working with me. I run a private voice and music studio teaching popular, musical theatre, and classical singing styles, along with music theory and musicianship skills. I am a working professional in the industry, and I’d love to help you achieve your goals—whatever they may be!
All ages and levels are welcome from all musical backgrounds!
Online
Don’t live in the area? We can connect online!
In Person
Lessons are taught in Peterborough, Ontario.
VOICE LESSONS
I teach contemporary and classical vocal techniques, covering genres from pop and rock to musical theatre and opera. Lessons are spent working on vocal technique and repertoire in a one-on-one setting where we will work towards your singing goals in a fun environment. I believe in creating a positive, safe space to work and create, and promote musicianship and technique in lessons, encouraging healthy singing that is free of tension, grounded, and truthful—no matter the singing style.
I am able to prepare you for The Royal Conservatory of Music exams, competitions such as the Kiwanis Music Festival, any upcoming auditions you may have, and for post-secondary music and theatre programs. Past students are currently working in the industry and are at the top schools in Canada for music and theatre.
MUSIC THEORY, HARMONY,
COUNTERPOINT & HISTORY
Learn how to read music, understand complex harmonies, and much more! Music theory and harmony classes are offered to those who wish to take The Royal Conservatory exams, audition for post-secondary music programs, and to those who simply would like to have a greater understanding in their approach to music.
These classes are also great for songwriters! A deeper understanding of theory and harmony gives you the ability to take your creativity to the next level, with more options available to you to express and explore. Learning how to create exciting harmonic progressions and how to structure your phrases and songs are just some of the topics we can cover together.
MUSICIANSHIP SKILLS
What are musicianship skills? The ability to sight sing, sight read rhythm, hear and sing intervals, understand and orate complex rhythms, and much more. Musicianship skills are a key, but an often overlooked aspect of the developing musician. If you are preparing for a Royal Conservatory Music exam, or are auditioning for post-secondary musical education, this is the class for you!
AUDITIONS
Preparing for an audition? I can help!
Whether it’s auditioning for a community theatre production, or preparing for University & College auditions, let’s get you ready and feeling great! Students have gone on to study music and theatre at the best schools across Canada.
OPPORTUNITIES
Perform! Take an exam! Participate in a festival!
Whether you participate in our studio recitals, take a Royal Conservatory of Music exam, or perform at the Kiwanis Music Festival, there are lots of opportunities to SING, LEARN, and PERFORM!
You don't have to want to become a singer to take lessons! Did you know that lessons are a great way to gain confidence, become more comfortable in both your body and voice, and that lessons can provide you with a creative outlet that is not always offered in schools or through your line of work?
I’ve had singers come in for lessons to work on projecting their voice so that they can be heard in business presentations or to learn how to speak without feeling vocal fatigue or strain at the end of the day (school teachers . . . I'm looking at you!!). One of my favourite success stories is a young singer who was too shy to speak to her teacher at school. But after a year of lessons, she was able to finish her Grade 7 year by giving a presentation to her teacher thanks to the skills she learned in her lessons. How awesome is that?!
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING . . .
“Shannon McCracken has been providing professional vocal training lessons to my eleven year old daughter, Jillian, for the past two and a half years.
Almost immediately, Jillian expressed a passion for vocal training, and both her and myself (Jillian’s mom!) can easily attest that this love for singing is a result of Shannon’s knowledge, enthusiasm, structured (yet, super fun) lessons and vast expertise. She has made singing such a positive experience for my daughter.
Shannon has also been an amazing advocate for Jillian’s vocal cord health and integrity. Jillian has a past history of developing vocal cord nodules, and it was Shannon who initially expressed concerns over Jillian’s voice. Jillian was subsequently referred to, and received specialized care with an ENT specialist and a Speech Language Pathologist, and has since been able to restart training under the continued guidance of Shannon.
We highly recommend Shannon McCracken for vocal lessons. She is dedicated, enthusiastic, extremely knowledgeable and passionate about vocal training. :)”
“I moved from Toronto to Peterborough two years ago, and it took me a while to look for a conscientious music teacher, until I met Shannon last year. I like working with Shannon. She is amiable and able to teach in a friendly and comfortable style. She has various inspirations to help me in overcoming difficult tasks, so that I can sing with confidence and ease. I truly appreciate Shannon!”
“Because of her academic accomplishments and professional credentials, my wife and I invited Shannon to play a role in the life of our daughter. This decision has proven to be wise on every level. Recently I thought I would “give it a shot” again. Shannon squeezed me in to help me prepare for a musical I was auditioning for locally. I’m 52 and haven’t sang in front of anybody outside of my . . . well anybody since high school. Shannon had me belting it out, enhancing my body language and having a ball, within minutes. Shannon McCracken is an excellent person and a consummate professional. She is a credit to the arts.”
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my voice lessons with Shannon. She always creates a positive environment that promotes fearless exploration and learning. Shannon has a wealth of knowledge and is eager to share that knowledge with her students. Not only does she work with students on vocal technique and theory, but she also offers valuable insight into their performing skills. With Shannon’s help I always feel well prepared for performances and auditions. Working with Shannon has definitely helped my vocal ability and technical skills, but more importantly it has given me confidence in my voice. She is dedicated to helping her students succeed and genuinely cares about, and celebrates, their progress. I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Shannon.”
“There are those who are outstanding in their fields and Shannon McCracken is definitely at the top! Shannon’s ability to teach with a comfortable style and grace compares to no others. Our child has grown both in vocal and theory with ease. Shannon is not only a teacher but has become a wonderful mentor to our daughter.
Thank you Shannon!”
“Shannon has been my daughter’s teacher for several years now. We have chosen her due to her level of experience, extensive knowledge and professional accomplishments. I am always amazed at what comes out of the lessons. My daughter’s growth, thanks to Shannon’s work with her, has been remarkable. She wishes to pursue her own future in Musical Theatre and I know with Shannon’s level of commitment to her students to reach their own potential, and her excitement in seeing them succeed, this is a real possibility.”
“I have been taking lesson with Shannon for just over two years now. Shannon has an upbeat personable teaching style that is tailored to the students specific need and interests. Together we have worked on multiple genre’s and languages ranging from musical theatre to Mozart. In addition to helping my voice grow and relax into itself Shannon has also made the world of advanced musical theory fun, while still showing all the practical applications involved.”
“Shannon is a marvellous teacher! Professional, kind, and brings ease to learning difficult tasks. Ultimately she will work with your specific needs in a proficient manner. Simply wonderful!”
“I absolutely loved working with Shannon! I found that she was incredibly attentive to my learning style and if I was not grasping something one way she would try a different way to help me understand the idea. Shannon was very patient and always found a way to make the challenging tasks fun!”