School of Raq

Nice to meet you! My name's Raq (sounds like "rock"--short for Raquelle), and welcome to the School of Raq! I'm a classically and commercially trained musician with an undergrad in Commercial Voice. That, plus 12 years of professional performance experience, studio expertise, time spent in the Nashville music industry, and a light understanding of recording technologies makes me a perfect candidate for helping you on your journey to becoming the most successful musician you can be! (full performance bio available on request) I teach lessons in the following categories: -Classical and commercial ("pop") piano -Voice: classical, commercial ("pop") styles, musical theatre, choral -Gender-affirming voice lessons -beginner/rhythm guitar and basic scales (a perfect option to compliment songwriting) -music and composition theory -songwriting -music for holistic healing and self-development*** My courses are perfect for those looking to enter the commercial realm of music, although I do offer classical lessons as well since classical styles were my first true love in life. I specialize in a lesson experience that is geared towards developing the studio and live performers of the future, based on my own experience up close to the modern music industry. I also provide a holistic approach to music-making, including breath work, meditation, and provide the skills to practice WELL, rather than demanding a rigorous practice schedule. Practice is incredibly important, so it should not be ignored, but I assist the student in building a realistic practice schedule for them according to their needs and goals. My greatest joy in teaching has been the incredible growth I've seen in my students--not only in their technical skills, but in how they've grown as people. Learning a skill like music has the power to transform our lives. It teaches us important lessons about perseverance, ourselves, our minds, and is a wonderful outlet for emotions of all shapes and sizes. I am LGBTQIA+ friendly, disabled-friendly (though unfortunately I have stairs), trauma and mental health informed***, and do not discriminate based on race, class, gender, religion, national origin, etc. I teach all age groups, but before enrolling your child in lessons, I would like to give a few disclaimers: -Piano is usually a great starter instrument for young children who are first working to get motor skills more finely tuned. I successfully work with students as young as five, and accept any student who knows how to read. -Guitar is a bit more difficult for any student younger than 10, as building up callouses on the fingers can be quite painful and may deter a student from continuing with practice time. The motor skills involved also require much more finger strength than piano. There are always exceptions to the rule though, and I'm willing to work with any kid who has the gusto to give it a go! -Although many teachers defer from seeing younger vocal students, I find that 8 and 9 are decent ages to begin music lessons. Of course, with younger students I cannot teach as much vocal technique as I could as with a teenager or adult, but I, as well as my students, still find these music lessons to be valuable! We can still discuss a wide variety of topics such as enunciation, performance techniques, sight-reading, and developing a sense of interoception (internal perception of the voice/self, like being able to tell when one is anxious, or coming down with a cold). I find vocal lessons to be particularly therapeutic, and helping kiddos discover their true voice in the literal as well as the metaphorical sense is one of the most rewarding parts of this profession. I look forward to seeing you in my studio! ***I am not an accredited physician or mental health professional. I only integrate wellness practices based off of my own research and personal experience. If in need of emergency assistance, dial 911, a suicide hotline, or another verified, accredited source for mental health crises.