1. Singing Lessons by Mijaelle
About Mijaelle Dewart
I have a huge passion for music and I believe that it is important to live
your dreams and to nurture your talents. When I was younger, I dreamt of
becoming a singer and I was very fortunate to receive private tutorage
from Dawie Couzyn for the duration of 7 years. Dawie, (who passed away
in 2010) was a South African Classical Singer with a vast operatic career
locally and internationally as a baritone and also as someone known for
directing operas.
Since completing my tuition, I have composed music for and produced 4
meditation CD’s as well as having released my debut album in 2014. I am
currently running an online channel called Heart-Beats
(www.youtube.com/user/HeartBeatsSA) where I interview professionals
in the music industry about their careers and the lessons they have learnt.
My reason for doing this is because I believe that it is important to share
your knowledge and to be unafraid of trying something new.
Technically I am a coloratura; which is a classification of soprano and my
aim is to help you find your own voice and then to build it into the best
that it can be. Whether you would like to perform or to develop your
singing for personal expression, this course will give you a strong
grounding that will stay with you forever.
I believe that learning a new skill should be fun and that it is important to
easily monitor your progress so that you may grow in confidence. This
course is set out in stages enabling the student to set his/her own pace,
whilst also allowing for studyat home accelerating the learning.
The Singing Program
Stage 1
Body Preparation

2. 1. Learning physical exercises that will strengthen the muscles necessary for
singing.
2. Learning diaphragmatic breathing which is a tool used in yoga.
3. Learning pre-performance warm up exercises.
Stage 2
Finding your vocal range
1. Learning Italian vowels
2. Doing scales to find your tessitura (The vocal range that is most comfortable to
sing and in which you have the most endurance) and expanding upon that.
3. Understanding the difference between the vocal registers
Stage 3
Metodo Pratico by Nicola Vaccaj
1. We will work through a series of lessons on the practical method of Italian
singing because of the languages extensive roots in opera. You will gain clear
and distinct enunciation and pure and sonorous tone.
2. As you progress through the workbook you will become familiar with different
singing techniques represented in the songs.
3. You will receive music files to practice with and a workbook.
Stage 4
Building a repertoire
At this stage it is necessary to upgrade to 1hour sessions
1. You have now progressed to the stage where you are ready to sing arias from
various operas.
2. You may also choose to work on contemporary music pieces that you are drawn
to.
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3. Lesson Structure
 Stages 1, 2 & 3 will be conducted during ½ hour sessions once a week.
 Stage 4 will be conducted during 1 hour sessions once a week.
Costs
 R200 per ½ hour session, unless you book monthly whereas it is R600 a month
 An additional amount is payable at Stage 3 for the Metodo Pratico by Nicola
Vaccaj workbook (47pg) and CD.
Contact Details
mijaelle@musicalmuse.co.za
072 4243 594