Voice Coaching Program

Post grad-school, Denise was one of two mezzos accepted into the National Opera Company and was in residence for two years, touring nationally. She continued part-time for another two years, while also apprenticing with Lyric Opera Cleveland, Natchez Opera Festival, and others. As a chorister she has sung with the Vienna Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, and New Jersey Symphony under the batons of Bernstein, Muti, Mazur, Mehta, Tilson-Thomas, and Wolff. Fun highlights include singing on the recent movie sound track of Frontera, performing Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms with Bernstein at the baton, and watching her students begin their own careers on the stage or as teachers.

Sample the vocals of Denise Mihalik below - Berlioz-L'ile inconnue-Les Nuits

As a youngster, Denise was one of four children to not make the third grade choir. She remembers being in study hall while everyone else attended choir rehearsal. Born with a love for singing and supportive parents, she persisted, took up the violin and was able to take choir in middle school. Here as well, her chorus teacher discouraged her and told her not to strive for the high school choir, as she wouldn’t pass the audition. Rather than accept his assessment of her talents, she began to secretly study voice with her 7th grade student teacher. Denise was not a prodigy by any means. She worked incredibly hard in voice lessons and on the audition material for the high school choir. She auditioned and made it!  Her heart was full of song, and, even though many discouraged her throughout the process, she persisted, developed a solid technique, and began a career in music.

Denise loves assisting people who are on the path of finding their True expression. It is never lost, but perhaps buried or closed off due to childhood experiences, accidents, or other discouragements. She has heard from many students, mostly adults who shut down a dream, their voice or their heart at an early age and are just now revisiting these organic desires in search of balance. It’s never too late to open the heart, to awaken the voice, to awaken clear communication towards ourselves and others, and to live from a place of love and acceptance. As we radiate love to ourselves, we can radiate it out to others and change the world, beginning with one person, our own Self. The first step is easy-find a quiet space and BREATHE.