Voice Lessons & Music Classes | Merit School of Music

📢 REGISTER FOR FALL TODAY!

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.

Browse fall voice classes

LITTLE SINGERS, BIG VOICES

This 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. A great first step for any aspiring singer, this class will prepare students for a future of both solo and ensemble singing here at Merit!

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CHILDREN'S CHOIR

Merit’s Children’s Choir is perfect for students who want to begin using their voice as an instrument in a fun and creative ensemble environment. Children’s Choir can be taken in conjunction with Little Singers, Big Voices, as a stand-alone class, and is also a great add-on for students studying other instruments. Beginners and music enthusiasts welcome – no singing experience required!

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LITTLE SINGERS + CHILDREN'S CHOIR

For the first time, Merit’s youngest singers can take both a small group class and choral ensemble on Wednesday nights! Your student can participate in both classes for a special combined price for the year.

Students will learn the following skills:

Using proper vocal technique including posture, breathing, and vowel shape
Singing in unison, harmony, and solfège (do-re-mi)
Counting rhythms

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BEGINNING VOICE + MIXED CHORUS

Does your student sing in the car, at home, and everywhere they go? Enroll your young musician in Merit’s Beginning Voice & Mixed Chorus 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. In this small group class, students will study individually with Merit’s celebrated voice faculty and come together to sing and learn with other young Merit musicians.

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CONTINUING VOICE + MIXED CHORUS

Merit’s Continuing Voice & Mixed Chorus 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 jazz, choral, pop, and musical theater standards as a group.

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Programs for singers of all levels

Group Classes & Ensembles

In-person & virtual options available

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!

Private Lessons

In-person & virtual options available

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.

Alice S. Pfaelzer Conservatory

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

AUDITION

Summer Camps & Workshops

Make friends, memories, and music all summer long with Merit’s line-up of in-person & online camps & classes.

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Each year, Merit singers of all ages come together to perform in concerts online, at the Joy Faith Knapp Music Center, and at venues throughout Chicago.

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.

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

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