gfire TakeLessons Instructor music, singing, piano, songwriting, DJ'ing, yoga st and Manor Road, Austin, TX

gfire has been teaching music full-time for over 15 years.  Based in Austin, Texas, the "Live Music Capital of the World," she offers voice, piano, songwriting and DJ'ing lessons to students from 5-105 and she specializes in sculpting her lessons to the strengths and desires of each individual student.  Her students range from beginning to advanced levels, and they sing and play a multitude of musical styles, including classical, pop, rock, r 'n' b, country, folk, singer-songwriter, musical theater, blues and more. 

gfire is also an award-winning singer-songwriter and "Yoga for the Voice" innovator.  She has released 4 CDs of all-original music and is currently working on her 5th CD, to be released in 2009. 

As a teacher, gfire works with students of all levels and all areas of interest.  In October 2007, gfire became the only vocal teacher in the Western Hemisphere to gain full certification in the Science of Singing, developed by Ernest G. White of London, England.  Her unique voice training program, entitled "Yoga for the Voice," combines this knowledge of the Science of Singing with ancient yoga breathing techniques.  This technique allows each voice student to develop a "vocal tune-up" for the voice AND to discover what the natural singing range is and how to use the voice as effectively as possible.  With the internet SKYPE technology, gfire teaches voice students all over the world, from Switzerland to the U.K. to New Zealand to New York.

Her vocal students have sung in touring rock bands, on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, in successful auditions, in karaoke clubs, in coffee houses and folk clubs, at weddings and for their own enjoyment amongst family and friends.  Whatever level of singing training you wish to acquire, she will show you the way to achieve it!

gfire was also the main voice instructor and one of 3 main piano teachers at the Austin branch of Mars Music (now defunct) for 3 1/2 years.  In addition to her vocal study and innovation, she has studied piano with top classical and jazz pianists, studied songwriting with Pat Pattison of Berklee College in Boston, gotten her full yoga teaching certification in 2004 and DJ’d at clubs and parties world wide.  For two years straight – 2007 and 2008 – she has won the prestigious ASCAPlus Award for professional songwriting.

As a singer-songwriter, gfire continues to write, record and perform with some of the best musicians and engineers in the world, including engineer Stuart Sullivan (Willie Nelson, Sublime, Meat Puppets, etc.), Hammond organ player Ian McLagen (Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart), cellist John Hagen (Lyle Lovett), fiddle/mandolin player Warren Hood (The Waybacks), bassist George Reiff (Ray Wylie Hubbard) and banjo picker Danny Barnes (Bad Livers).

gfire’s original songs have been played on over 160 radio and television stations worldwide.  She has toured in over half of the fifty states, plus the U.K. and Canada.

Voice lessons – I have created a unique and wonderful vocal method, “Yoga for the Voice,” which combines ancient yoga breathing exercises with special vocal exercises to give you a “complete vocal tune-up.”  These techniques are simple, effective and easily-learned by any student of the voice, from about age 7-107.  I love to help you learn to apply these wonderful techniques to learning the songs you wish to learn – whether they are pop, r ‘n’ b, folk, singer-songwriter, rock, country, opera, musical theater, jazz, etc.  “Yoga for the Voice” is just as effective for professional speakers, such as teachers, lawyers, clergymen or actors – we just use a range of notes that is smaller than a singer’s range, and we focus on using your speaking voice as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Piano lessons – I teach a wide range of piano styles at levels from beginner to early advanced, beginning around age 5.  Whether you want to learn classical, rock, blues, country, boogie-woogie, or other styles of piano and keyboard playing, I will sculpt your lesson plan so that you have a great foundation in technique AND you learn the styles and songs you wish to play.

Songwriting lessons – I will teach you how to create a great song, in the style you wish to write in.  Country songs, pop songs, rock tunes, r ‘n’ b, folk, etc. – all of these genres have “unwritten rules” about how to put together an effective song.  We will utilize special songwriting exercises and tools to help you learn to be a wonderful songwriter.

DJ lessons – I teach beat matching, turntable fine-tuning and repertoire selection to help you become the DJ you aspire to be.  I own crates and crates of vinyl records and CDs, and I have DJ’d all over the world to enthusiastic crowds, so I can teach you to attain a real joy and skill in the art of turntablism.

Yoga lessons – I a fully KRI-certified yoga teacher and I can help you develop a valuable yoga routine to help you achieve your health and relaxation goals. We will choose from literally hundreds of exercises and breathing techniques specifically geared to your needs and wants. 

I have developed "Yoga for the Voice" - a combination of my 18 years of studying and receiving certification in the "Science of Singing" (as taught by Ernest George White of London, England) and my 10 years experience and certification in yoga, specifically ancient yoga breathing techniques. I will work with voice students as young as 7 and as old as they want to go! Voice lessons span all styles and all levels - pop, rock, r 'n' b, country, folk, singer-songwriter, opera, classical, musical theater, etc. from beginner to advanced. Generally beginning around age 7.

Piano - levels beginner to early advanced, most styles, including classical, rock, pop, folk, country, singer-songwriter, blues and boogie-woogie. Generally beginning around age 5.

Songwriting - all popular styles, including rock, pop, folk, country, blues, singer-songwriter, r 'n' b, etc.

DJ'ing - all basic DJ methods, including beat matching, turntable basics and repertoire selection.

Yoga - yoga breathing AND physical exercises, depending on the needs and wants of the student.

In piano, I specialize in teaching students who want to play a wide variety of music - classical, pop, rock, country, blues, etc. I begin with piano students who are 5 years of age and older, as long as they have the requisite attention span.

In songwriting, I specialize in teaching students methods of developing popular songs - pop, r 'n' b, country, rock, folk, etc.

In DJ'ing, I specialize in basic beatmatching and repertoire selection.

And in yoga, I specialize in tailoring the yogic needs of the student - whether she/he wishes to work on stretching, breathing, abdominal strengthening, etc.

music, singing, piano, songwriting, DJ'ing, yoga

“gfire combines the techniques of Sinus Tone Production and the practices of yoga with her own purposeful intentions to bring out the best tones of the singer. Her teaching style is relaxed, spiritually grounded, and attuned to honor both the voice and the listener. She inspires confidence in me, and has quickly improved the quality of my voice. I look forward to my lessons!"  Martha Pinto, singer-songwriter, Georgetown, TX

“I was essentially a 'blank slate" coming into my first voice lesson in YEARS. It's been especially appreciated to receive confidence building reinforcement respective of my individual learning style. gfire is inspiring and moving; (she helps me) to reach inside my own musical identity. Kudos!"  FML, musician, Austin, TX

"gfire is excellent. She paces the lessons perfectly to fit the student’s needs. She is incredibly supportive and encouraging. gfire’s years of experience both playing and teaching the piano are evident: She skillfully and effortlessly passes on her knowledge of piano to her students. gfire has reignited my passion for learning and playing piano." Andres Lopez, Austin, TX