I enjoy helping people who have a strong desire to sing. Previous experience is not necessary. With my knowledge of the body and Alexander Technique I can help undo previous bad habits that may have led to vocal damage and help students discover what is blocking their progress.
Trained in classical piano, I attended college for Bachelors and Masters degrees. I have been a member of Music Teachers' Association of CA for 30 years. My students learn the language of music and participate in recitals, Certificate of Merit, Piano Guild, and any other opportunities they can prepare for. I feel that children can learn to be good at something even if they are not meant to be professional musicians. There are no doctor lessons or architect lessons for children. Piano uses and trains the body as well as the ear, and demands concentration at the level of the child.
I am a voice teacher, vocal coach, accompanist - I have been a member of the Robert Shaw Chorale in New York City - I have given numerous solo recitals in San Francisco, at Cal State U. Have sung solo roles with the Oakland Symphony and other California Symphonies - Concerts at U.C. Berkeley and Stanford University, several concerts in Paris, France. I have participated in seminars as accompanist and assistant with Jo Estill in Milan, Italy, Sidney and Melbourne, Australia, Asheville, North Carolina and California.
I have performed leading roles in Musicals, Operettas, and Operas in the Bay Area with Lamplighters, West Bay Opera, Berkeley Opera, and Festival Opera.
I have taught students of all ages for 25 years. I am vocal music specialist at Parkmead Elementary, director of Danville Girls chorus (4/5 grades level), direct the Rossmoor Community Chorus, and am soloist for Queen of All Saints Church.
I incorporate the principles of posture awareness (Alexander Technique) in my vocal instruction
I love to work in partnership with singers to help discover, develop and foster their unique voices and musical expression. I teach my students to become excellent at non-judgmental self-observation as they learn to sing with good resonance, buoyant breath management and healthy, efficient vocal fold vibration. This creates playful and empowering experimentation that results in increased self-knowledge, technical proficiency, self-confidence and powerful, authentic expression.
I have been a professional singer and musician since 8th Grade where I was a church organist and cantor. I played in a recording session for Capitol Records in High School which changed my life, and then auditioned at Kent State University in Ohio and received a scholarship for the School of Music. I worked my way through college by singing in local places. Perhaps because my voice teachers were inspiring, I wanted to help young singers to prepare for whatever their goals were. That remains my motivation today.
Mezzo-soprano, Layna Chianakas, is known for "vocal talents which are matched by her poignancy as an actress" (Des Moines Register). She has portrayed many leading opera roles including over 15 productions of Carmen, Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Amneris in Aida, Angelina in La Cenerentola, Sesto in Giulio Cesare, Suzuki in Madama Butterfly, The Woman in Poulenc's La Voix Humaine, the title role in La Perichole, and countless Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro.
Having had an active performing career which encompassed opera, oratorio and recital, I am comfortable sharing what I have learned through the years with my students. My goal is always to help each unique student find his or her most free and beautiful voice, and will draw upon a variety of methods to do so. Since my own study focussed on the bel canto approach, that is my first instinct, but I believe in drawing from many different sources depending on individual needs. I love to find answers through the music itself, and enjoy coaching art song and opera above all.
Ms. Jarc is an award-winning, highly accomplished national and international opera and concert performer. Her teaching experience ranges from her private studio to adjudicator and master class instructor. She uses and teaches with the International Phonemic Alphabet, and performs in five languages. She has worked as an LA studio singer.