Singer | Gabrielle J. McCormack

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My Musical Mission

“There are only two worthwhile things to leave behind when you depart this world of ours: children and art.”

-Stephen Sondheim

Stephen Sondheim mentioned perhaps the two most important physical things to leave behind in this world in his musical “Sunday in the Park with George”, but as music teachers we also leave behind something less tangible, yet still incredibly meaningful that will carry on for generations. Being a music teacher is a great responsibility. Not only do we teach the basics of music education, but we are the living examples of creativity, caring, and compassion that this world so desperately needs. My mission is to create a safe environment for my learners to take safe musical risks. My students know that I care greatly about them and their successes in and out of the classroom. I continue to adapt to meet every individual student’s needs, so they can reach their goals and dreams. Our students are the future. One must always teach as if we are the only positive and kind influence in that child’s life, so that every child learns how to carry on that compassion. We need to take responsibility as educators to nurture and to provide the tools necessary for our youth to create a better tomorrow. How wonderful it is to realize, that not only we work with the two most important physical things in the world, but our legacy lives through the life lessons and care we give to anyone who will listen. -Gabrielle J. McCormack

A Little Mezzo with a Big Heart

BIO

Gabrielle J. McCormack is a young, vivacious, and creative mezzo-soprano who aspires to be an expert music educator and a respected performer. Her objective is to provide children with a music education where students can utilize the tools learned in the classroom, and transfer them to become constructive, creative, and compassionate members of an ever-changing society. In her free time, she hopes to perform in concerts, operas, and musicals at a professional level. She hopes to lead her students by example and to always strive for excellence.

Miss McCormack is currently earning her M.M. in vocal performance at The Hartt School at the University of Hartford. She originates from a small town south of Buffalo, NY where she grew up with her parents, who encouraged her musical talents from a very early age. At the age of six, she started piano lessons and her musical passion grew from there. In middle school and high school she participated in chorus, band, plays, and many musicals. After high school, she decided to attend the Crane school of Music at SUNY Potsdam to earn a B.M. in music education. After experiencing and falling in love with opera, she decided to double major in vocal performance and music education. During her undergraduate studies, Ms. McCormack attended voice programs in Salzburg, Austria and Arona, Italy. She knew after her bachelor's degree was finished, she wanted to continue her opera performance studies at a different university to make more connections. After student teaching, she earned her initial certification to teach music education K-12 in NYS. She now works at Tom Kopyto Music Lesson Studios in East Longmeadow, MA. There she teaches approximately 30 students privately piano and/or voice. She also teaches a small children's chorus at the studio while focusing on earning her Master's degree.

bio

Singer/ Performer

Gabrielle McCormack is very thankful to have had many different performance experiences during her undergraduate and graduate studies. She fell in love with opera while participating in The Crane Opera Ensemble's productions and is eager to perform in more opera productions again during her time at the Hartt School. She has performed in many concerts New York, and is now starting to appear in concerts in Connecticut.

"My goal as a musician is that every time I walk onstage, I want to give the gift of music to my audience. Live performance is special because it is never the same from one performance to another. Not to mention, as a singer, you have something special to offer that no one has ever seen. You are YOU! You are unique and no one has the same instrument, personality, or interpretation that you do. Being a singer is very special, because every time you walk on that stage you are sharing with the audience something authentic, real, and personal that no one else can give. You are showing your audience love, by being vulnerable with your heart and song."

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Music Educator

Gabrielle McCormack has a music education certification for grades K-12 in NYS. She student taught at John T. Waugh Elementary School in Angola, NY and Iroquois Middle School in Elma, NY. Although Miss McCormack can teach any instrument, she feels most confident teaching general music, voice, beginning piano, theory, sight-singing, music history, ukulele, choir, and musical theater.

She believes it is important to know each and every one of her students, so she can adapt her curriculum to their needs. She hopes to create a safe space in her classroom and/or studio so her students can feel free to be themselves, and are willing to take safe risks.* These safe risks encourage the students' creativity, and will help them feel strong enough to go outside of their comfort zone later in life. She strives to always create an engaging curriculum so her students will remain engaged and interested on the task presented. Students will have agency to make their own decisions to create their own musical experiences. She realizes that not all of her students will become professional musicians, but they will have the tools to create music if they choose to do so. Music also teaches wonderful life skills that can help students succeed outside the classroom and/or studio. By learning how to play an instrument, students will learn how to become a hard working, dedicated team player who can communicate and learn how to creatively solve problems. The benefits to learning music are truly endless, and therefore, my classroom and/or studio will open all doors of possibilities.

Vocally, Miss McCormack makes sure that her students sing in a way that is safe and creates a firm foundation for their future vocal development. She strongly believes in teaching students proper vocal technique so that they can sing in whatever style they choose in a healthy manner. This will give students the tools to have long and successful singing careers if they wish.

Part of her mission as a music educator is to introduce children to opera and to make the art form more approachable. Growing up, Miss McCormack had never seen an opera. She wants to give children opportunities to experience music in ways she never had. Her goal is to bring a taste of "The Metropolitan Opera House" or "La Scala" into the classroom, and explain the art form of opera in a way that kids can relate to.

*Safe Risks: when one steps out of their comfort zone with little to no negative repercussions (i.e auditioning for a solo in front of their peers and instructors)

Music Educator

Teaching Examples

Opera Outreach for Elementary School

Click on the button below to view a powerpoint presentation Ms. McCormack presented to her elementary children grades 2-5. She told her students the story of "Gianni Schicchi" and showed them a video clip from the Crane Opera Ensemble's production she was in. At the end of the presentation she sang for the kids and gave them an awareness of opera around the world.

Gianni Schicchi Presentation

Conducting "In My Heart" by Jim Papoulis

Below is a sound recording of Ms. McCormack’s first time conducting a 6th grade chorus in concert. One day, she asked her 6th grade choir what they thought the song “In My Heart” meant to them. Students came up with several answers for the song’s interpretation. Ms. McCormack explained that no interpretation is wrong; people can have their own ideas of what the song means to them. Some thought the song was about loneliness, one student thought it was about an imaginary childhood friend, and another even stated it might be about bullying. A child can always look in their own heart for comfort and encouragement. Even though everyone had different interpretations, everyone respected one another’s thoughts, and accepted others personal connection to the song that most related to what was in their heart.