Voice


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Click here to browse Voice classes and sign up for fall. 

Whether you’re a singer-songwriter, musical theater buff, or coloratura soprano in training, Merit’s celebrated faculty will help you find your voice. 

For over 40 years, Merit students have gained the confidence to chase their dreams in music and beyond. Our singers have auditioned into All-State Choir, sung with the Lyric Opera Children’s Choir, gone on to attend some of the country’s best music conservatories, and pursued careers as teaching artists and performers. 

Each year, Merit singers of all ages come together to perform in vocal concerts at the Joy Faith Knapp Music Center and at venues throughout the city. Past performances include concerts at the Symphony Center, Civic Opera House, Time Out Market Chicago, The Field Museum, and the Skydeck at Willis Tower. Even when we can’t make music together in person, the Merit community finds new life online through virtual group classes, Zoom concerts, and socially-distanced private lessons.

Browse fall voice classes

Click below to sign up for fall Voice classes.

VIRTUAL LITTLE SINGERS, BIG VOICES

This NEW online class is best for singers ages 7 to 11 who are ready to learn how fun music-making can be. Merit’s celebrated faculty will teach students the fundamentals of using their growing voices as an instrument.

Students will explore vocal music in many forms and learn how to express themselves through song. This class will prepare young singers for a future of both solo and ensemble singing, and is a great first step for any aspiring singer.

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VIRTUAL BEGINNING VOICE

Does your student sing in the car, at home, and everywhere they go? Enroll your young musician in Merit’s online Beginning Voice class to unlock their full musical potential! Beginning Voice students will have the opportunity to develop their voice as an instrument and deepen their musical studies through Merit’s unique vocal curriculum. Students will study individually with Merit’s celebrated voice faculty and come together to sing and learn as a group with other young Merit musicians – all from the comfort of their own home.

Students will learn the following skills:

  • Musical notation
  • Listening skills
  • Vocal tone and technique

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VIRTUAL CONTINUING VOICE

This online class will help young singers continue to develop their voice and deepen their musical studies through Merit’s immersive voice curriculum. Students will study individually with Merit’s celebrated voice faculty and come together to sing and learn as a group with other young Merit musicians – all from the comfort of their own home.

As they sing jazz, choral, pop, and musical theater standards, students will learn the following skills:

  • Sight-singing
  • Aural skills
  • Picking appropriate repertoire
  • Refining tone and technique

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Programs for singers of all levels

Group Classes & Ensembles

Temporarily Virtual

Hone your technique and skill alongside other driven young singers in group classes and choir ensembles. Classes are open to singers ages 7 and up. Beginners welcome!

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Private Lessons

Temporarily Virtual

Work one-on-one with skilled and supportive faculty to explore your individual talents and musical interests. Lessons are open to singers ages 12 and up.

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Alice S. Pfaelzer Conservatory

Temporarily Virtual

Join the best of Merit’s talented student musicians by auditioning for Merit’s prestigious tuition-free Conservatory.  

AUDITION

Summer Camps & Workshops

Virtual Summer 2020

Safely make friends, memories, and music all summer long with Merit’s online camps, classes, and workshops.

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Chicago’s finest Voice faculty

“It is my duty to push these students hard toward excellence by making them aware of how talented they are and what a responsibility that is. I give my students — from all walks of life, rich or poor — a reality check, sugar-coating nothing. And if I think they have what it takes to go far, I back up my encouragement by doing my best to infuse them with fearlessness and brazenness that is necessary to pursue a solo performance career. And their efforts are reaping fruit.”

– Jade Maze
Voice Department Chair and Voice Faculty Member

Chicago-Voice-Lessons-and-Choir

Our celebrated teaching artists are working jazz, classical, and pop musicians who have toured nationally, led ensembles, and supported students in achieving ambitious goals. Committed to helping Merit students succeed in music and in life, our Voice faculty provides students with the immersive training, feedback, and mentorship they need to learn and grow. 

BROWSE VOICE FACULTY

Meet Merit Voice Students and Alumni

Merit ensemble Perfect Cadence performs “A Song for Peace”

Merit alums Kim Jones and Marisa Buchheit sing Schubert’s “Ave Maria” 

Therese Escano, Merit student, performs “Somewhere That’s Green” while sheltering in place