Coastal Dance and Music Academy
Serving Grover Beach and the Entire Five Cities Area • 489-5678
Voice Instructors
Claudia Bessette is the Music Director for CDMA. Claudia began piano lessons in second grade and has been hooked on making music ever since! Singing in choirs or playing in an instrumental ensembles ever since then, she has participated in many opportunities to bring music to others. Throughout her school years, she sang in concert choirs, pop choirs, large ensembles, small ensembles, jazz choirs, played oboe and percussion in marching band, concert band, and orchestra, played piano in jazz band, and accompanied singers and instrumentalists. Claudia worked across the country in a variety of Las Vegas based groups and shows before earning her Bachelors and Master of Music degrees. Specializing in music education, she has taught every age level of choirs, from little ones to adults, working as a school choral director, music educator, director of music in musical stage productions, and festival organizer. She has taught private voice and piano students since 1994 and was the guest conductor for the Nevada Northern Zone Middle-School Honor Choir 2010. She has served as Co-Chair to the Clark County Nevada High School Honor Choir, as member of the Nevada Music Educators High School All-State Choir Audition Committee, and served as the American Choral Directors Association Nevada Multicultural and Ethnic Choral Music Repertoire & Standards Chair. Claudia has for many years been an active member of The American Choral Directors Association, The National Association for Music Education, and The National Association for Teachers of Singing. A new resident to the Central Coast, she is excited to be the Director of Music for CDMA!
Highly Qualified Teachers
Our instructors are highly qualified and many have extensive performance experience. Most importantly, our instructors strive to relate their teaching to each individual student's learning style.
All Ages - Beginners to Advanced
Our current voice and theater students range from 7 years old to students in their 50’s. Our oldest voice students have been in their 80’s. We take care to teach what you want to learn so music is rewarding for students of all ages and levels.
Private & Group Lessons
Different students require different teaching approaches. Some students progress best with the peer interaction and class motivation of a group session. Other students prefer the focused concentration of an individual one on one lesson. Once a student is more advanced it will be necessary to take private lessons to master the advanced techniques of an instrument or voice with individual attention. Make sure that your student has the option to select the learning style that is best suited for them.
Regular Concerts and Recitals
Recitals and concerts are held at least twice a year. These provide students with performance experience and build confidence. Participation in music camps, master classes and workshops is also available.
Reasons which make us the best choice for you
Class Descriptions
Private Lessons
Private lessons are offered in Voice. We have found that private one-on-one instruction allows students to progress at their own pace and gain the best understanding of vocal techniques. Student can start private lessons as young as 7 years old. Students can start private lessons any time of the year or month so there's no need to wait to get started. Contact the school office to see which times and days are available by calling 489-5678.
Group Lessons
Beginning Voice
Ages 10 and up. This class is a great choice for students hoping to grow in their musical foundations as a singer. Whether you want to be a soloist or just learn more about your voice, this class will be a great place to begin. Students will learn basic vocal and performance technique in a friendly and fun environment.
Beginning Voice - Adult
Ages 18 and up. This class will offer beginning vocal and performance technique for adult students hoping to grow in solo performance! This class is designed for students with no pervious vocal training who are excited to sing and learn more about the foundations of music.
Sing & Dance with Miss Teresa!
Ages 2-4. Through songs, rhymes, stories and dance, your child will discover the love of music and movement that is naturally within them!
Children’s Choir
Ages 6 - 12. Come and sing in our new children's choir! This will be a great new class for kids who are interested in music and want a taste of what it is like to sing with other kids. This class will require no previous musical experience and will offer basic music training and just plain fun songs to sing!
Acting For Singers - Coming Soon!
Ages 9 and up. Learn how to interpret solo pieces and use these emotions in your singing. Students will learn solo performance etiquette and basic acting exercises that will help them in any performance setting.
Vocal Ensemble
Ages 13 and up. Ever wonder what it would be like to sing in an ensemble? Well, here is your chance! Learn what it takes to sing your own part in a group, perform together, and find a unified sound that comes from proper vocal technique. Students will learn a variety of ensemble music as well as get to know other singers in the music department.
CDMA Glee
Ages 10 and up. Based on the hit TV show, this class will give aspiring actors & actresses the chance to sing to their favorite songs from the show! They will also have the opportunity to perform what they learn at venues around the county!
Musical Theater
Ages 6 - 10 and Adult classes. This class provides students the opportunity to explore acting exercise, movement for musical theater, and singing. Students will learn songs from current and classic musicals. The development of performance skills in basic broadway style, movement, technique, and singing will be the focus of this class.
Theater Kids
Ages 6 - 9. An intro to theatre class filled with fun and exciting theatre games for high-spirited/energetic kids. Games include, call and response storytelling, imagination exploration, and free movement to music, all created to boost confidence and imagination.
Theater Movement Exploration - Coming Soon!
Ages 13 and up. This class will explore the physical side of creating a character, through the use of free form movement to international music and the physical exploration of words, poems, tempos, sounds, and contact improvisation with partners.
Shakespeare for Teens - Coming Soon!
Ages 13 and up. Students learn the basic tools needed for the speaking and performing of William Shakespeare beginning with A Midsummer Nights Dream and resulting in a sharing of scene work and/or performance of a Shakespearean play.
Mask - Coming Soon!
Ages 13 and up. Mask will explore the physical side of creating a character. This class will work on stimulating the imagination, exploring the use of the whole body and its physical actions, and creating a complete, fully dimensional character.
Ensemble Theater - Coming Soon!
Ages 10 and up. Teaches students to achieve goals through theatre improvisation exercises and theatre games. Strengthens the student's abilities to succeed by exercising their connection to imagination, impulse, and their ability to personalize scene work.
Acting for the Stage - Coming Soon!
Ages 13 and up. Learn theories of character development used by R. Cohen's Acting One, Uta Hagen's Respect of Acting and Stanislavski's An Actor Prepares to develop skills in scene work using the exploration of the senses, trust, physicality and vocal self.
To View Our Class Schedule, Click Here
Ready to Sign Up? Click Here to Register Online!
Have Questions?
Call 489-5678
Our office staff are happy to help!
© Julie Campbell Photography
© Julie Campbell Photography
© Julie Campbell Photography
Theater Instructors
Natalia Berryman is the Theater Director of CDMA. Natalia has a BA in Theatre Arts from Cal Poly. She is also a former graduate of the actors training program at PCPA and has worked professionally with PCPA in a few of their summer fests in numerous roles. She has worked with Sorcerer Productions for the past four years as Executive Producer and Artistic Director, and has enjoyed portraying roles such as Christine Colgate in the musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Her ultimate goal is to merge Sorcerer with a company that can evoke training to adults but especially to youth and that is why she is excited to be joining CD&MA. Natalia wants to thank the man she loves Jeff Salsbury for his encouragement and for being her best friend. Finally, she is grateful to her wonderful parents Alberto and Marcia and loving children Lucas and Josie for their continuous love and support. She wants her family to know that she loves them very much!
© Sideline Photography Studio
© Sideline Photography Studio
© Sideline Photography Studio
© Sideline Photography Studio
Coastal Dance and Music Academy
Phone: 489-5678 Fax: 489-5646
1030 Huston Street, Ste. C,
Grover Beach, CA 93433
Copyright 2012, Coastal Dance and Music Academy. All Rights Reserved.