Atеlίεя S

Stuart Graham - Founder/Artistic Director

Stuart Graham has transformed me! He is an outstanding vocal coach who guides you “to live in the moment” instead of just getting through a piece of music. He inspires you to discover the intent in the music and reflect that intent through song by communicating from the heart. He challenges you to raise the bar on your learning in every class. He is the only teacher I’ve met who can take the abstract and make it concrete...so that you know exactly what you need to do technically to experience e.g. proper breathing. His techniques have not only opened me up to a whole new world of song but he has helped me “to find my voice” resulting in a deeper confidence in my professional work as a facilitator/consultant/speaker in the corporate world. Be prepared to reap the benefits of an uncharted journey!

Kim Finkelstein, Breakthrough Business Performance

My association with Atelier S has led to an incredible growth in my development as an artist above and beyond the technical aspects of physically singing, although these as well, have undergone great advancement in the time I have studied in the studio. Increased musical sensitivity, awareness, discovery and the resulting improved capacity for nuance are now vastly larger components in my journey.

The opportunity to have lessons in a performance space is a tremendous benefit in terms of exercising my voice to satisfy a larger venue.

The discoveries I make participating in the regular performance opportunities of the program are fantastic for developing my confidence in front of and rapport with an audience. I learn by doing and all the program’s efforts are directed towards this goal of communicating with the audience.

Stuart Graham teaches and leads by example. He allows me to see the inner workings of the career of a professional artist. I witness the goal setting, promotion and marketing aspects of the business of singing in addition to the constant striving for artistic excellence. I consider my association with Stuart and his studio an enlightening opportunity to round out my vocal and performance training.

This all-encompassing approach to training is invaluable to my advancement as an artist.

Martha Spence, mezzo-soprano

I first met Stuart after a concert he gave at a church on Yonge at St Clair. I was prepared to dislike it. But, I found myself pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the performance!

“When the Student is ready the Teacher appears”

Stuart never misses an opportunity. If he sees an opening for passing on information or making improvements he takes it. It was there on the back of his concert program that I learned that he was a teacher and was offering courses with a chance to perform.

There it was. I was looking for a new coach and I was ready to learn.

And learn is what you do in his studio.

Stuart has a simple approach to singing:

See it

Breathe it

Be it

This is the approach we take when we are about to sing.

It’s all about the attitude. You must have the correct mindset when you approach a piece.

In this way you set in motion your complete focus on one thing the task at hand.

If it sounds simple well, it is and it isn’t. But, with Stuart, he breaks it down until it becomes easy to understand and implement.

As a student of singing, I was searching for that teacher who could help me get over the last remaining hurdles in my artic growth. What I found here at AtelierS was a perfect blend of student teacher interaction. Here I am treated as an equal as an artist perfecting her craft. I am free to ask questions and allowed the space to grow.  In the masterclass situation, we are able to observe each other’s progression. Here is where we learn see the lessons in action. The playing field is leveled as we are reminded of the simple rules of singing: by exciting ourselves we excite each other.

I am constantly amazed at how “life mirrors art” or vice versa. This is what I have learned so far: You must be willing to change and not take things too personally. You must be willing to make change on the fly emotionally. You must be willing to get out of yourself and let the art take over. And finally, you must be prepared.

I’m looking forward to our final concert and to work with Stuart again in the future.

 

Helene Ducharme, soprano

Atelier S continues to delight its audience with performances by vocal artists of exceptional talent. Each program is a revelation of the artist’s range, style and ability. I have never been disappointed!

Michael Spence, audience member

Stuart is the first teacher to explicitly speak about 'Singing your spirit.' As a result, I sing with more joy, color and comedy. It has certainly helped me in my business.

Paul Huschilt
Professional Speaker, Storyteller, Trainer www.paulhuschilt.com 

Congratulations Stuart and artists of Atelier S.

Attended "Requiem" recital on April 4 2007 at College Street United...a wonderful experience.

This recital was very appropriate, timely and thoughtful, a perfect prelude and companion to our reflection during this time of passing and rebirth, Easter and lest we forget our fallen saints of Vimy.

Stuart and Atelier S, transporting us through sombre songs of Requiem, humbly emphasize, echo and remind us, at this time, that the forces of life and love conquer death over and over again.

Stuart, your ambition, creativity and professionalism continue to impress, astound and inspire and it contagiously resonates in the huge talent of and performance by your students.

Well done. Looking forward to the next recital.

Thomas Perala, audience member