"I freed up layer after layer of my vocal capability. |
Erica has been teaching private voice lessons since 2002 and runs the Erica Steinhagen Voice Studio in Ithaca, New York. She has provided audition coaching and performance workshops privately, at Ithaca College, and in New York City.
Grounded in classical vocal technique, Erica's lessons can be applied to any style of singing. Her specialty is musical theatre and belting. Erica's goal is to help each student discover ease, balance, flexibility, and consistency in their instrument. She helps each student explore the mechanisms involved in singing and discover how the full self—body, mind, heart, breath—participates. Artistry and expression are key to this exploration. Erica is a graduate of the Ithaca College School of Music. She has trained with some of the best vocal pedagogues in the country, with a focus on musical theatre belting and vocal cross-training (huge gratitude to the Bel Canto Can Belto team at Penn State University). She absolutely cannot believe her good fortune, and adores her students like mad. They teach her every day (to be dreadfully cliché), and remind her to keep preaching that this crazy business can indeed be saturated with kindness and respect. She insists on it, in fact. |
When I started with Erica, I was a tentative soprano with a desire to understand my belting range. After four years with Erica, I am a confident soprano and proud mixer with a healthy belting technique. Erica’s encouragement and empathy were vital to my growth as a performer, and her presence as a strong female role model was essential to me as I grew into adulthood. Lessons with Erica are a gift! 
Laura Brennan, BFA Acting Ithaca College, '15
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Additionally, my goal is to shape a strong performer by encouraging thorough analysis of text and character as it relates to specific repertoire, and exploring how acting is tied indelibly with tone and phrasing. Answer me, 'so what'? What are you communicating? Realizing that the intention is forever and inexorably enmeshed with the intensity and vice versa is an important part of that communication. What does the text give you in addition to existing notes and rhythms? How is the intensity of this text aided by dynamics, color, tone, balance, etc.? I will challenge my students to consider the Why in addition to the How and instead of the How Impressive. |
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Cora Joe Anderson, BFA, Acting, Ithaca College, 2015
I had untapped potential when I entered Erica’s studio, and I knew it. I was always a "singer," but completely of my own accord. Erica was everything I had hoped for in a vocal coach at Ithaca College. She taught me technique and placement for belting, and in my experience, teachers are afraid to venture into this recently necessary vocal style. After two short months I remember returning home and a friend was shocked at my growth. With a few simple yet diligent exercises, I freed up layer after layer of my vocal capability. I’m still growing, and I can feel it at every lesson, but I now have a vocal confidence I never dreamed of when I began. That’s actually my favorite part of Erica; she inspires confidence in my voice and my person. She has become one of my greatest collegiate mentors and friends, and I am so lucky to have found such a perfect match in a voice teacher.
Anthony Marchitto, BFA, Acting, Ithaca College, 2016
Going to Erica for voice lessons was the best decision I made during my time at Ithaca College. I went in with a solid foundation and Erica helped me grow and flourish from there. She showed me my full potential and expanded my technique. Not only was going to Erica healthy for my voice, but it was also healthy for my soul. I looked forward to my weekly lessons because I knew it was going to be a cathartic experience. I’d learn and I’d heal. Not only is Erica a superb voice teacher, but also she is a true friend. Erica Steinhagen is as good as it gets.
Abby Church, BFA, Acting, Ithaca College
Erica is a phenomenal voice teacher. She has the combination of two very important (and very hard to come by) qualities - not only is she smart, she is also very personable. In a voice teacher, this is pure gold. Erica helped me develop my voice and performing abilities immensely during my time at Ithaca College. She worked with my maturing voice, helping me to gain range and learn proper vocal technique. She improved my vocal health, expanded my repertoire, and most importantly, increased my confidence. She encouraged ability I didn't even know I had! And I had a blast every single lesson. The skills that Erica taught me have been invaluable in my professional career.
