Please read the Hill Country Sun article about Brenda’s Women Sing group in Blanco, TX
Testimonials for Effortless Singing Vocal Instruction
Vocal coaching with Brenda was transforming for my vocal performances. She gave me explicit technical advice and was able to analyze my natural tendencies that hold me back and identify those that are positive so I can distinguish what is good and what is not. Bottom line, Brenda is a great vocal coach. I’m lucky to have the good fortune to work with her. I look forward to the next time.
SONiA, disappear fear, Voice Mentoring Participant, 2015 Southwest Region Folk Alliance Conference (SWRFA) & 2015 Folk Alliance International Music Camp
In just fifteen minutes, Brenda gave me invaluable pointers that I’ve been using with great success in the months since I met with her. She is extremely knowledgeable and professional – and she’s such a sweet and kind person, too!
Heather Pierson, Voice Mentoring Participant, 2014 Folk Alliance Region Midwest Conference (FARM)
I got so much out of the vocal workshop with Brenda Freed that I came back the next day with my singing partner and took another. I was particularly impressed with her gift for quickly identifying the root of a singer’s block or problem. Her methods are solid and the concepts clear and precise. It’s her positive, hands-on delivery of these ideas and her obvious enthusiasm for the subject matter that draws her students in and gets them participating.
Erin McGrane, “Victor & Penny” (2014) Folk Alliance International Music Camp
I took voice lessons from Brenda Freed and improved dramatically. Even after the first lesson my family and friends could hear a difference. Brenda has the ability to pinpoint exactly what it is that needs improvement and the knowledge to be able to explain it in an understandable way. I have definitely grown as a musician from my lessons with Brenda Freed. She is a wonderful teacher, mentor, and inspiration.
Carley Wolf, Professional Singer/Songwriter, Multi-instrumentalistI am really glad I decided to take lessons from Brenda before recording my vocal tracks on my new album. There are so many gems of knowledge that I would never have discovered on my own. The technique I learned really empowered the message in my lyrics and made me a more professional singer. I used to shy away from lessons because I didn’t want a classical sound and I wanted to maintain my own organic style, but I found that the things I learned from my lessons only enrich and liberate my own vocal tone and style. Thanks Brenda!
Amanda Mora, Singer/SongwriterBrenda is a wonderful vocal coach and she really brought me out of my shell. In my very first session with her, she showed me how to breathe properly when singing, which completely changed my voice. It was transformed from a weak, shy voice to a strong confident voice. Her patience with me and continued training over a 2 year period changed my sound so dramatically that I now have the self-confidence to sing lead vocals instead of just staying in the background, only doing harmonies. I will always be grateful to Brenda for her expertise, patience and intuitive training techniques used to make a “real” singer out of me.
Amy Cartee-Cox, Singer/SongwriterBrenda proved to me that anyone can learn to sing if they have the desire and the right teacher. She made it easy for someone with no musical background to learn to sing and play guitar. Using her own magic and years of teaching experience, she taught me proper singing and guitar techniques.
Russell Cox, Adult Voice and Guitar StudentBrenda Freed’s voice lessons are truly a transformational journey to bringing out the hidden voice.
Lucia of FireHawk & Lucia, Adult Voice Student/Performer
Testimonial for Effortless Harmony Singing Instruction
After just one lesson my singing partner and I had the basics down to learn harmony singing for our original songs.
Jannie Funster, Adult Voice Student
Testimonials for Effortless Piano Instruction
Brenda has restored my love of music. I am so excited to have this passion for my piano emerging after so many years of not striking one key. Brenda’s enthusiasm and positive attitude have been the driving force behind my level of self-confidence!
Mary Wiley, Adult Piano StudentBrenda has to be the best music teacher in the central Texas area! She is so laid back and always makes sure that the student gets to do what they want to do with their music. But she is also all about precision, and always encourages improvement. She makes her students feel comfortable performing in front of others with her free-spirited personality, and helps her students break out of their comfort zones. I couldn’t have asked for a better piano and voice instructor!
Natalie Shanklin, Age 17, Student From Age 7-15I took lessons from Brenda for roughly eight years. She is one of the most supportive people I have ever known. Whether I was struggling through Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the piano or performing my own original music at an open mic, Brenda offered positive feedback and always managed to phrase her constructive criticism in the least-soul-crushing way. She never became angry when I hadn’t practiced enough or forgot my songbooks, nor did she become frustrated when I was struggling with a piece of music. She reinforced everything she said during lessons by writing it in a notebook for future reference. Even now I occasionally get out those old notebooks and brush up on a few things. Brenda is a good teacher because she knows her stuff and can relate it in an easy to understand way, whether you are ten or seventeen, but more important than what she teaches is the passion behind it. I don’t think I would still be playing music today, much less writing my own songs, if it weren’t for Brenda’s constant enthusiasm. She really believes in her students and loves what she does.
Ellen Flocke, Age 19, Piano, Voice and Guitar StudentLessons with Brenda have been amazing. She is patient and professional with her students, expecting them to master the music they are playing. The best moment for me was while I was watching my four year old play piano. He had not mastered the art of interpreting written letters into significant meanings or words, yet there he was interpreting the musical notes into keys on the piano. He transformed the written music into a song, on his own. You could see his mind working. It was amazing.
Kelly O’Connor, Parent of Boys (ages 4 and 8) Studying Piano
Testimonials for Effortless Guitar Instruction
Because of physical problems, I recently had to give up my favorite past time, the game of golf. I had an old guitar and started taking lessons from Brenda. She not only got me playing the guitar in a short time, but also, I don’t miss golf as much. I’m 80 years old, and when I finish a lesson I ALWAYS feel better than when we began. She is a FINE TEACHER and a Fine Person.
Julian Loe, Adult Guitar StudentWe have never learned so much, so fast!
Jim and Julie Barbe, Adult Guitar StudentsBrenda Freed is a fine music teacher: she has the intuition to recognize what each student needs to progress, the musical knowledge to share what is needed, the patience to allow the student to work at an individual pace, and the good will and enthusiasm to rejoice with the student when skills are mastered. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with her.
Betsy Harrison, Adult Guitar and Voice StudentI was very pleased with the music my son learned while taking guitar lessons from Brenda. He learned a broad range of music concepts. Best of all, Brenda instilled in him a love for music and helped him gain the confidence to perform.
Jo Kathryn Quinn, mother of 10 year old guitar student
Testimonials for Effortless Singing Instruction Product
I really like your approach and your teaching style. The CD’s would be of use for the beginner to the pro. It’s really good. You nailed it.
Terri Hendrix, Singer/Songwriter
One of the best things I do for my voice is to keep Brenda Freed’s Effortless Singing CD in my car. I just pop it in my CD player and warm up while driving to a show. Love it!
Laura Marie, Singer/SongwriterThey are excellent CDs. You put everything out there intelligently and clearly so the ideas and concepts are not difficult to comprehend.
Eastside Flash, Musician, Recording EngineerI’ve enjoyed your CD and keep the “warm-up” CD in my car to practice and warm up with. Carolyn Snyder, Folk Alliance International Music Camp Voice Workshop
Practicing with your user-friendly CD’s has given me more confidence and a more predictable sound. If not for your CD’s, I would not be as ready as I am. Thank you, songbird and teacher!
Jacqulyn Sallis, Singer/SongwriterI cannot tell you how much I enjoy the Effortless Singing CDs. This has opened up a whole new area of my creative self. I would not have even considered trying out for the Hill Country Singers had I not studied with the CDs.
Katheran Acmorsoni, Student of Effortless Singing CD
Testimonials for Effortless Harmony Singing Product
I am very impressed, it is a great harmony teacher and you learn theory at the same time. This is a LOT of information presented in a very logical manner. I think you have hit a home run.
Thomas ChapmondWow! Your Effortless Harmony Singing CD’s sound great. I love the use of song samples to help people find different harmonies. Also, I’m lucky to have an ear but I have no real theory training so it’s very nice to learn more about what I’m doing! Very clear teaching on the different arpeggios. Really helpful. I also like how you gave a lesson on finding harmonies from any given note in the chord. Altogether, really, really nice work.
Kristin DeWitt, Professional Singer/Harmony VocalistI love Love LOVE the harmony CDs! I found it all very clear, very catchy with great examples. Your voice and elocution were perfect. You are an excellent teacher. Excellent! I listened twice through and I understood, no questions. You really have a lot of information there, succinctly delivered.
Teresa Kenas, Voice Student
Testimonials for Effortless Music Reading Measure Cards
I really like your approach. The repetition of the notes along with the timing for the notes is perfect.
Thomas Chapmond, Beginning Piano StudentThis is really great because it reinforces all of the elements together; note names and reading rhythm, and challenges the student by putting cards in random order.
Shawn Buller, Music TherapistI am impressed with the simplicity and straight forwardness of your presentation of the fundamentals of music.
Dr. Mary Carol Warwick, Houston Community CollegeI love how your piano method learning is Quintuply-Enforced – saying the note as you see and play it; 1) eyes, 2) ears and 3) finger muscles all at once, 4) learning the note values from the start by saying the “ands”, and 5) if the child sings the note on pitch as she plays it. How could anyone teach any other way?!!
Jannie Ernst, Mother of Young Piano StudentAn indispensable aid for anyone wanting to learn to read music. It is an easily comprehensible method that will take the beginner to the next level in no time.
Rustem Hayroudinoff, Concert Pianist, Professor at the Royal Academy of Music, London, England
Testimonials for Voice Workshops
I got so much out of the vocal workshop with Brenda Freed at Folk Alliance that I came back the next day with my singing partner and took another. I was particularly impressed with her gift for quickly identifying the root of a singer’s block or problem. Her methods are solid and the concepts clear and precise. It’s her positive, hands-on delivery of these ideas and her obvious enthusiasm for the subject matter that draws her students in and gets them participating.
Erin McGrane, “Victor & Penny” Touring act, 2014 Folk Alliance International Music Camp Voice Workshop
Brenda Freed is one of the most talented, intuitive vocal coaches out there in my experience. She has the unique ability to hone in on your issues and come up with practical and easy to understand solutions to sing better and express more. Brenda can have you singing intricate harmonies in a matter of minutes – even if you’ve never done it before. Her warm, friendly, yet knowledgeable approach is perfect for both the beginner and the seasoned artist.
Louise Mosrie, Nashville, TN, Singer/Songwriter, Kerrville Folk Festival Voice Workshop
Just wanted to say thanks for the great vocal workshop on Sunday at Folk Alliance. I’ve been puckering ever since!!!
Shannon Wurst, Touring Musician, 2014 Folk Alliance International Music Camp Voice WorkshopI’m a better vocal coach because of your one short workshop.
Brianna Lane, 2015 Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM) Voice WorkshopIn 2014 I attended Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake, Ontario as has been my custom for 25 years. The highlight of my awesome weekend was your workshop, Effortless Singing. I am not exaggerating when I say that you changed my life. I downloaded your instructional CD from I-tunes and have been working with it since then. My voice has been freed (pardon the pun). Thank you so very much.
Keith Tobey, Cambridge, Ontario, CanadaYou were great. You had everyone participating right from the start. You did such a great job of taking a few points and showing people how to apply them. It was really cool when they would sing and you’d make a suggestion and they sang it again and it sounded amazingly better. Very impressive!
Participant, 2014 Hillside Festival Voice Workshop, Guelph Lake Island, Ontario, CanadaExcellent workshop! Highly recommended. Brenda really knows her stuff!
Austin Kessler, Kerrville Folk Festival Voice WorkshopI was amazed at how fun and effective Brenda’s workshop was! She creates a safe entertaining environment and turns everyone into a “harmonizing team.” Everyone walked out of the workshop with a really big smile! Brenda’s big heart really makes it a great experience!
Farrel Droke, Norman, Oklahoma, Kerrville Folk Festival Voice Workshop
Thank you so much! I feel like the exercises helped me smooth out some rough spots I’ve had and I went higher than I’m used to doing effortlessly. Thanks! Kara Viator, Folk Alliance International Music Camp Voice Workshop
Many people have made me do vocalizing exercises before, but they never felt like they were doing me good. Today I could really feel the difference. Thanks! Lynn Snyder, Folk Alliance International Music Camp Voice Workshop
Just what I expected – even better – I loved the student participation. She obviously knows what she’s talking about and is spot-on with her advice. Mari Loehrlein, Folk Alliance International Music Camp Voice Workshop
Awesome Class. Transformative. Mark Valladares, Folk Alliance International Music Camp Voice Workshop