Quotes « Cathryn Frazier-Neely

Cate is a gifted teacher of singing and a remarkably versatile musician. She magically identifies subtle ways my body and inner attitudes affect my communication as a professional singing actress. She then gently, but systematically, works to strengthen and relieve those blocks. I value her opinions highly. My only criticism is that there is not enough of her to go around!

Joanne Schmoll, MFA
2006 Helen Hayes Award Nominee,
Washington, DC

Cate has been my DC-area voice teacher since high school, during which my knowledge of the voice, technique, and awareness of my vocal and physical health have increased exponentially. I want to thank her for giving me the basis of how to work with my own voice, as well as how to work with others in my capacities as a teacher and director.

Zak Sandler
Associate Conductor/Assistant Music Director, Signature Theatre,
Yale College Class of 2008

I’ve had severe vocal cord problems that resulted in surgery and tried working with several teachers to get my singing voice back. Cate Frazier-Neely is clearly the best singing teacher yet.

One of Cate’s strengths is her ability to analyze your performance and then give lucid direction. Her ability to communicate clearly about the technical aspects of singing, based on each individual’s learning style, is central to her overall success as a teacher of singing.

In addition to her technical expertise, she is very supportive of her students outside the lesson. She worked in the recording studio with my producer while I was laying down tracks for my CD, got a Gazette article published on me in August, and has attended some of my restaurant gigs.

Michael Suser
Jazz Pianist/Vocalist
Night and Day Trio

Cate and I worked together while I was understudying the lead role in ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ at Signature Theatre in Washington, DC. I came to her with little confidence in my mixed-belt and fear that I would not be able to carry the show when I went on. Cate worked on specific drills and techniques as well as songs from the show. With her patience and extreme knowledge of the voice as an instrument, I was able to develop and gain confidence in my mix and successfully go on twice as the lead. Although Cate and I were only able to work together during the run of my contract, I took her techniques and words with me. They have proved effective, for I have worked continuously since our time together and feel confident walking in to any vocal audition.

Jenna Edison
New York, New York
Asian Tour/Broadway Asia–42nd Street

Cate knows HOW to teach vocal technique, breaking the physical act of singing down into individual steps and then connecting those steps to making music. I consider her both a master teacher and musician. She helped me realize my performance goals, even though I was in the middle of many personal challenges. I know of no other voice teacher in the Washington area who is as effective a singing teacher!

Caroline Holtz,
B. Music, M. Music
Arts’ Chair and Choir Director, Sidwell Friends’ Middle School
Washington, DC

Founder/Director: The Washington Girls’ Chorus

My lessons with Cate are invaluable. Her broad understanding of the voice and of the music business is incomparable. As a classically trained singer who has crossed over to have a career in jazz, I found that many of the top teachers in D.C. and N.Y.C. wouldn’t work with me. I encountered teachers who either taught classical voice or jazz voice – but not both. Cate embraced me with opened arms. She helped me utilize my training as a classical singer and integrated new vocal concepts to heighten my jazz voice. This was a feat that I previously thought impossible. She is a visionary in that she is doing what very few teachers in the country can do. She has the courage and the expertise to look toward the future of vocal pedagogy and, as a result, is helping to shape it.!

Maureen Mullaney,
jazz and blues singer,
Washington, DC

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