MUSICAL THEATER

 SOPHIA - 

Charlotte was my first voice teacher when I was only 14 years old and was one of the single most influential people in my life at the time, whose teaching and encouragement gave me the impetus to pursue my current career. Having never studied voice before and coming from a dancer background of strictly silent performing, I was very unsure of my vocal abilities. Charlotte knew how to balance just enough vocal technique with emotional encouragement to both put me at ease/ give me confidence and penetrate my brain with solid vocal pedagogy. It was a winning combination. After only two lessons with her, I entered a statewide vocal competition and won 3rd place. For me, this was a very big deal. Sadly, once Charlotte moved to Auburn, I could no longer take from her, but what she taught me in the year I was with her has been with me for many years and is a go-to when I find myself doubting my abilities. She gave me confidence in my natural ability as a singer and helped me understand what it means to sing correctly and freely and how the mind and voice are so connected. Since studying with Charlotte, I went on to study Vocal Performance at the University of Montevallo and sing professionally with Opera Birmingham and Birmingham Music Club. I am currently studying at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London and will graduate this year with an MA in Music Theatre. 

The mental journey of a performer starts very young, and the early days of training and the emotional connection to the arts and one’s abilities are crucial. I am thankful I had Charlotte as a teacher to help lay such a technically solid and emotionally stable foundation for me, on which I could build and pursue my dreams as a musical artist. http://www.sophiapriolo.com/

MICKIE-

It has been my dream to become a musical theater actress, and Mrs. Lee has been a part of me realizing that dream. After a year of working with Mrs. Lee, I was accepted into the Broadway Artist Alliance in New York City (BBA).  Following that experience, I was cast as "Ursula" in The Little Mermaid during my senior year in high school. The training I received from Mrs. Lee built my skill and, in turn, confidence to apply to exceptional musical theater programs.  I was accepted in the American Musical, and Dramatic Arts Academy (AMDA) in New York City, The Alabama School of the Arts (ASOTA) at the University of Mobile in Alabama, and ultimately chose to be a musical theater major at Auburn University.   

LISA -  

Before studying voice with Charlotte Lee, I was singing and playing the piano as a volunteer in my church.  When I started frequently losing my voice - about six times a year and for up to two weeks at a time - I went to see a speech and language pathologist for voice therapy.  At the end of the therapy session, she recommended I see Charlotte Lee for voice lessons.  I had no idea how drastically my life would change by doing so.  I changed careers from nursing to working musician - leading vocals for the praise team, traveling with a band, and having a successful teaching studio.  Being a working musician has met all my financial goals, which I didn't believe was possible earlier in life.  I sing more now, and my voice is healthier than it was four years ago. Even if I have a cold or a virus, I am typically able to vocalize through the entire cold without any loss of the voice because of the techniques I learned and better habits I have put into practice relative to my singing and speaking voice.  I love my life, leading praise and worship.

JAMES - 

Finding wonderful things to share about my experience with Charlotte Lee is not difficult; finding the place to begin is the challenge. I initially contacted Charlotte in her capacity as a singing instructor. Having played the piano for years, I was interested in becoming a better vocalist. I very quickly realized that she had far more to offer than contemporary voice techniques.  Charlotte taught me how to connect my life experiences to the lyric of the song and then communicate that to others. The experience has been life-changing. I tell other people that when I found my voice, I found my authentic self.