Teaching

Link:     Performance and Creation "Sizzle Reel" 

Danny teaches private lessons in many contemporary styles such a jazz, pop, rock, soul, R&B, country, blues, indie and musical theater. His music mentorship practice is based in the desire to connect and grow while making music that feels authentic to ourselves. His studio is open to teens and adults and his goal is to instill knowledge and a love of music to all his students. No experience is required to work with him - only a desire to be present and grow together.

We may be a good fit together if you are seeking any of the following:

• Contemporary Vocal Technique. Beginner to advanced fundamentals of singing like: breathwork, tone quality/colors, vocal effects, harmonizing, and overall musicianship. Singing your highest notes with power and raw energy through multiple different modes of singing techniques. To give you the tools to create art with your voice and captivate audiences.

• Learning to sing and perfectly intonate vocal harmony. This can include writing vocal harmonies as well as transcribing the existing harmonies from your favourite recordings.

• A safe space for shy people to explore and combat nervousness. A loving and secure place to be accepted as you are. An opportunity for emotional guidance and mentorship if curious and desired. Develop confidence and feel empowered in your own body.

• Songwriting and Arranging for vocals or instrumentals

• Building a repertoire, preparing for a live show, starting or leading a band, bringing more style or character to a performance.  Showmanship.

• Improving sight-reading skills to sing with a choir or internalizing time-keeping and groove. Contemporary music theory, melody/hook writing, chord analysis.

• Recording and production practice and techniques.

• To enjoy music in a private setting for fun or therapeutic purposes. Our time together could feel like live karaoke where we learn and sing new songs with no expectations or greater goals of "making music professionally". Feel good after every lesson!

If you have other musical goals that you would like to meet, please reach out. If I am unable to help you reach them, I can recommend other professionals in or outside of Saskatoon for Zoom lessons.

Danny offers a variety of clinics and interactive workshops blending vocal technique, ensemble singing, theory, harmonizing, authenticity and managing nervousness and stage fright. Danny is also available to appear as a workshop leader to teach vocal harmonies, intonation and technique to small or large groups in the classroom or privately. 

My Philosophy of Teaching

A music lesson with me is more than just time spent learning a new skill. It's time spent with a professional who has written and recorded albums, has toured and headlined festivals around the world and values authentic, artistic expression.  We'll spend time working on singing, breathing and vocal technique but also talking, feeling, observing.. about anything that influences our ability to make music that moves us. Lessons can be very structured or change based on upon how we feel each week. We might be chatting about music or the music industry and how to market yourself or playing and analyzing music from influential artists of the past. We may talk about jamming/playing in bands/working with other musicians, writing songs or arrangements, singing in harmony or even things in our personal lives. I have a lot of experience to share in and outside of music and it is my offering and gift to share my acquired knowledge with you.

I want to be, not only an amazing influence musically in your lives, but also someone who offers stories and my own life experiences to help understand the bigger picture of music for pleasure or as a career. I want to connect with people and families that understand the importance of role models because I'm equally interested in building a positive relationship with you as I am with helping you learn more about your own voice. Vocal lessons should not only be informative, but also fun and engaging. Every person's voice is different and it's rewarding to discover and understand the intricacies of it together.

Above all else, I teach musicality, musicianship and artistry. You may desire to just learn a new skill and have fun, or you can learn the theory and skills that help you understand other instruments should you want to play them at any point in your life.

Music lessons with me can be very therapeutic. Artistic outlets are "food for the soul" and what I desire most for you is to help you set and achieve any goals or desires you have for your own musical or personal growth, while keeping you excited to continue this journey together. "I just want to feel present and connected to my body for the next hour" is a perfectly reasonable goal.

Contact Danny to schedule a trial lesson in Saskatoon or via Zoom: dannyjfong@gmail.com

Testimonials:

The words I can find to describe Danny undoubtedly will not do his essence justice.. but I will try. Danny has a gift for teaching. Not only for helping you learn and describing things in ways that you will understand, but he truly loves his practice and the connection we share. He has a remarkable ability to see you for who you are and where you are in life. He challenges me to be a better person and to continue growing, in and outside of music. Our lessons have evolved throughout the years from voice and piano lessons to songwriting and some recording work in his studio space. But what I’ve truly come to love most is the feeling of calmness that is so easy to settle into when I arrive. Working with Danny has been transformative and one of the most meaningful choices I’ve made in my adult life.

Zoey D.

Danny has been teaching my son (who has transitioned from my daughter) for 8 years and has been such an influential part of him growing up into a teenager. He is patient, talented, knowledgeable and very loving. Since he's been teaching in our home, I've had the pleasure of overhearing some of the wonderful conversations they've had (the ones kids sometimes don't want to talk to their mom's about!). Danny has become part of the family and we invite him to our birthday occasions because we love him!

Clarra A.

I have been studying with Danny twice a week for two years. In our first lesson he thoroughly helped me understand the basics of singing. He is always identifying my bad singing habits and we work on "unlearning" them every week. I'm generally a pretty shy person and Danny has helped me tremendously with my vocal projection. He's also just a really cool guy and fun to spend time with!

Jesse G.

Danny is the best! A great talent and a true teacher and mentor. He has been my son’s vocal coach for the past three years and has had a tremendous impact on his life.  He helped my son get into a college music program. I highly recommended Danny as a vocal teacher!

O. L.

I enjoyed our work together so much; it's hard for me to express exactly how much. You provide a safe space for your students, making it so much easier to lose any complexes we might have. I cannot believe the progress I made thanks to your flexibility, kindness and constant encouragement. I really look forward to working with you again next summer.

Cathie LeBlanc