Gwen Dailey Berger
Voice & Drama Studio
www.GwenBerger.com
Mission
Singing is a natural form of communication and expression that brings joy and release in a way that
none other can provide. Our mission is to guide the student on a journey of personal growth and
training through the art form of singing.
Philosophy
Beautiful singing comes from a place of ease when powered by strong breath support. It is imperative
to create reflexive healthy vocal habits that lead to freedom in singing. Both your range and breath
control will increase with practice. As with any skill, regular practice is baseline to success. Building
muscle tone and coordination yields great rewards but takes time and patience. No matter the style of
music, a good singing technique is imperative for a lifetime of singing enjoyment.
3 Pronged Focus:
August: 2x a week for 2.5 hours dance and voice intensive:

Focus on preparing a dance number for each class with special attention given to uniform
movement and style.

Technical ground work laid for vocal study for the year.
Class voice: 3x a month for 3 to 4 hours.

Vocal technique development

Solo and small group class performance opportunities

Acting and movement exercises and dance review of August pieces

Sectionals for SATB music musical theatre ensemble
Ensemble class:

SATB choral music and musical theatre ensemble pieces
Email to schedule a non-mandatory voice check prior to August. gwen@gwenberger.com
Class schedule - for ages 10 to Adult
Please note that a minimum of students is required to keep classes open. Class availability is subject to
change.
August - Dance and Voice Intensive
T/TH 10-12:30 - Aug. 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, and 29 meeting at:
King David Christian Conservatory, 2200 Coronation Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28227.
September – January classes
Meeting at Hope of Glory Family Church, 2020-C Independence Commerce Dr., Matthews, NC
28105.
Mondays
September 9, 16, 23
October 14, 21, 28
November 4, 11, 18
December 2, 9, 30
January 6, 13
Fridays
September 6, 13, 20, 27
October 18, 25
November 1, 8, 15
December 6, 13
January 3, 10
Tuesdays
September 10, 17, 24
October 15, 22, 29
November 5, 12, 19
December 3, 10, 31
January 7, 14
For all classes:
Production week: reserve these mandatory rehearsal dates Jan. 13 – 16
Elementary school performance mid-January
Hold Jan. 23/24 for up to two performances at Matthews Playhouse
Fees & Due Dates:
$108 Registration (non-refundable) - includes Ensemble material fee of $43. Due at time of
registration with August 1st deadline.
$83 Monthly Fee - due 1st of each month. Note: Monthly Fee is the same regardless of the
month or number of classes in the month. See below breakdown.
$30 Voice Class Material Deposit - due at 1st class. Deposit will be returned upon receipt of
music in January.
$60 Recital/Performance Fee - due Jan. 3rd. This fee helps defray the cost of the facility,
technical help, scenery, lighting, printing, props, etc.
Additional Cost: Students will be responsible for making and/or buying their director approved
costumes and props. Must be approved by last class in November. Also, performance DVDs will be made
available in conjunction with the year-end performance. This will be an optional, additional charge.
Sibling Discount: Receive an 18% discount if tuition is paid in full by August 1st. 20%
sibling discount for 2nd and 3rd siblings.
Fee Breakdown:
15 weeks x $33 a week = $495 total or $83 a month
2 hours of Voice class voice for 14 weeks (3 to 10 students)
1 hour of Ensemble for 14 weeks (up to 25 students)
5 hours x 4 weeks of dance & voice in August on Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:00-12:30
Accounts
Fees are payable the first of the month, regardless of what day your first class falls on. A late fee of
$10 will be assessed if tuition is received after the 7th day. We do not send invoices for tuition. Note:
Regardless of illness, holidays, vacation, or forgotten check books please remit payment by mail
if you are absent during the payment period.
- Please include student’s name in the memo portion of your check.
- Please remit your 1) registration and 2) supply fees for Ensemble class to hold your spot now.
- Checks returned for insufficient funds will incur a $25 service charge.
- We accept debit card payments in person
- Please make checks payable to: Gwen Berger, 5223 Carriage Dr. Charlotte, NC 28205.
Withdrawal
Please notify us in writing or by phone if the student will be discontinuing classes so that our records
can be put in proper order. You will continue to be charged until notification is received.
Performances
Students’ solo vocal progress will be showcased during our in-house solo recital on their first class of
November. Families are welcome. In January, we will present the choral and musical theatre repertoire
we’ve worked on through the year. As is customary, THESE REHEARSALS ARE MANDATORY.
Etiquette
Gum chewing, food and drink are not allowed within the studio. Bottled water is permitted. Parents
and students are expected to respect the property, the staff, and others in class, by cleaning up after
themselves.
Dress Code
The manner in which we dress shows our general respect for ourselves and others. Please wear
clothing that does not restrict movement but is modest.
Class level and responsibilities
In the arts, as with most areas of study, proficiency and mastery takes many years. Some students
thrive in private lessons and others can succeed in group lessons. If there is an issue, physical or
emotional, that would prevent your child from working well in a group setting, please let me know this
with a written, detailed explanation so that we can work together to make this a productive year for
everyone.
“Footnote” – newsletters
Provide an email address for online communication and any changes in address or phone numbers.
These are our primary means of reaching you, so please read all handouts and CHECK YOUR EMAIL
REGULARLY!
Items to bring to class
Hand held mirror
Music and blocking
Device to record (phone, recorder, mini recorder, etc…)
Energy & joy
STAFF
Gwen Berger
Gwen spent years in the music industry in Manhattan working with Metropolitan opera singers, agents and
conductors. She also traveled in Europe for a year working for an opera conductor. She brings a unique
perspective to her voice and drama training.
She was the choral director for the CHEA home school choir Carolina Youth Chorale (CYC) for three years and
also began the CYC Players, a separate musical theatre performance group. Their final production of Little
Women was performed at Elevation Blakeney to great reviews.
She received her Bachelor’s of Music in Vocal Performance from UNC-G and her Master’s of Music in Vocal
Performance at LSU. She continued her studies in Manhattan. Former students have gone on to perform at
Carnegie Hall and in Europe.
Eleanor Dailey
Voice teacher, piano teacher, singer and accompanist, Eleanor Dailey brings a wealth of experience and training
to the studio. She received her Bachelor’s of Music in Vocal Performance from Bethany College and her
Master’s of Music in Vocal Performance from Texas Christian University. She has led children’s choirs and
bell choirs. She has accompanied choirs at UNC-Charlotte, various churches and community choirs and for the
Charlotte Chorale Society. Eleanor has performed as soprano soloist in many local venues.
Melody Jacquot
Melody received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Bob Jones University where she had many musical and
production opportunities including operas, classical concerts, dramatic plays as well as several months of
touring the West Coast with a musical ministry team.
For the past three years, Melody has assisted in directing the CYC Players both vocally and dramatically. Most
recently, she assisted Gwen Berger in directing Little Women performed at Elevation Blakeney in February.
We welcome students from diverse backgrounds
We are Christians and believe that in every endeavor we should bring glory to God.
Through years of professional and community involvement in the arts it’s easy to pinpoint the students
that are capable of succeeding in their study of music, drama and movement. Here is what we’ve
learned:
Ideal student for this studio:

self dedicated to daily vocal practice & stamina exercises

self disciplined to learn part on their own (bring a recording device to make recording)

determined to learn and grow as much as they can

can accept criticism

willingness to make mistakes, step out of their comfort zone

can accept the decisions of the teachers

can share the limelight

can be a team player

regularly brings an attitude of gratitude

realizes that moments of glory are fleeting
Ideal parent for this studio:

supportive and anxious to learn

can accept the decisions of the teachers

understands that your child isn’t a professional no matter how talented they are they all have
areas in which to improve

precious few are talented enough to make it to
professional level but all can benefit from the joy of local performance

the troupe is more important than the individual
Gwen Dailey Berger
Voice & Drama Studio
www.GwenBerger.com
2013/14 Registration
Complete and return Registration & Signature pages with check to the address listed on last page.
_________________________________ Read music? Y N
Student: First & Last Name
Age
Student Email:___________________________________________
_________________________________ Read music? Y N
Student: First & Last Name
Age
Age
Voice Type: soprano alto tenor bass
Student Email:__________________________________________
_________________________________ Read music? Y N
Student: First & Last Name
Voice Type: soprano alto tenor bass
Voice Type: soprano alto tenor bass
Student Email:___________________________________________
Parent name: ______________________________ Email:_________________________________________
Home Phone:_______________________________ Parent Cell:____________________________________
Street address: ___________________________________________________________________________
Emergency Contact Name_______________________________Phone:______________________________
Please specify your 1st and 2nd choice for Voice & Ensemble classes (totaling 3 hours of
instruction per week for 14 weeks, plus 20 hours in August).
Monday evening:
___ ___ 5:30 - 7:30 Voice - mixed
___ ___ 7:30 - 8:30 Ensemble - mixed
Friday morning:
___ ___ 9:30 - 11:30 Voice - guys only
___ ___ 9:30 - 11:30 Voice - girls only
___ ___ 11:30 -12:30 Ensemble - mixed
___ ___ 1:00 - 3:00 Voice - girls only
Tuesday afternoon & evening:
___ ___ 3:30 - 5:30 Voice - mixed
___ ___ 5:30 - 6:30 Ensemble - mixed
___ ___ 6:30 - 8:30 Voice -mixed
August - Dance & Voice Intensive
T/TH 10 - 12:30 (see next page for exact dates of August classes)
Making checks payable to Gwen Berger, mail check & pages 1 & 3 to:
Gwen Berger
5223 Carriage Dr. Circle
Charlotte, NC 28205