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Daniel Knight
778-839-6802
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Daniel Knight, internationally acclaimed singing instructor, has been teaching in Canada and the UK for over 30 years. He began his musical studies with the piano, in the fine Viennese tradition of music making with Karl Steiner. Daniel entered College as a pianist, and through encouragement, due to his innately gifted singing ability, he pursued the voice as his first instrument. After having graduated from McGill and Concordia Universities, he established himself as a singing teacher in Canada. Since then Daniel sought out the world's greatest singing teachers and singers in order to perfect his voice and his growing expertise in the art of teaching singing. Daniel has been voice instructor and coach at numerous Universities, Music Schools, Drama Colleges, as well as maintaining his thriving permanent private practice which included teaching singers from agents as well as Major Record Labels. Daniel’s advanced students win competitions and secure record and management contracts with major labels, with his guidance and tuition. Audition preparation and vocal coaching of songs have achieved great success for his clients. In pursuit of further Academic research and a singing career, Daniel decided to make his career move to the UK. He was recently invited to give master classes in Houston Texas, Ireland, England, and India, as well as by the Sondheim Society in Westminster University. Daniel is included, since 1998, in the International Who's Who in Classical Music. He was featured in BBC Radio 3 in a Prix D'Italia nominated program, and an international program called “Pushy Parents”.
He has
just recently returned to Belleville to sing and teach. "Mr. Knight's contribution to the Society's annual study day was greatly appreciated by everyone who attended, whether as singer participants or audience. He is a brilliant and persuasive teacher who combines professional exactness with a charismatic personality. The result is a profound learning experience, and within a limited time scale is able to extract a number of crucial lessons for anyone who wants to improve their singing." Keith Taylor, Stephen Sondheim Society, Westminster University, London.
“After
watching you work with many voice students in the Voice Class I consider
you to be among the most "gifted" of teachers in my experience. I saw you
approach each student in an entirely different way, determined by their
personality, their confidence (or lack of it), the music they had chosen
to sing for you and their degree of musical and vocal accomplishment. I
was impressed with how you were careful not to threaten the student in any
way, but to establish the atmosphere of one who respected what they were
trying to do and could help them do it better. Your knowledge of the
variety of the music you were presented to work with in their selections
was impressive. However, the most amazing part of the day was when you
worked with the bass-baritone. I had heard him sing on several occasions
and knew that he always sounded as if he were singing " I Got Plenty of
Nothin'" when he was actually singing Handel or possibly Mozart, etc. He
might sing it note-perfect but the voice quality was completely
inappropriate. However, you may know that an honest critique given to a
person of talent and some degree of accomplishment is sometimes ignored.
You established your identity with him as a male human being, laughing at
yourself (and disarming him from being an outsider), firmly established
yourself as on his side and got him to give up on that sound. Daniel Knight - Voice/Music Teacher Then, as a fine teacher of vocal technique, you proceeded to instruct him where to go from there. He was talented and quick and he followed you right into the correction of the problem. I've never heard him sound like that and would never have believed that anyone could talk him out of that "swaggering" sound he loved. You were inspired! I was inspired by you! His voice took on the quality of a finely trained musician, ready to sing opera or oratorio or classical or romantic period music--in good taste. Thank you for such a demonstration of how to be a true teacher. You obviously have a "wonder-store" of knowledge and vocal technique to impart to a student: you also have the gift of presenting yourself as a teacher they can trust and are not afraid to follow. It was truly an inspiration to witness! Those who study with you will be very fortunate! My thanks to you and Sophia for coming to Houston! With great respect” Jean Pendleton Rice Teacher of Vocal Technique, Houston, Texas. " His genius as a teacher emerged in this setting, as he coached the five participating singers in a knowledgeable way, frequently making suggestions which caused immediate and obvious improvement in the participants’ presentations. He displayed an extremely thorough knowledge of the literature presented by the singers, singing along with them when it was helpful, and it was obvious that he is conversant with the musical styles of the various periods to a detailed degree. In addition to learning a great deal, the singers and audience members laughed a lot and had a good time. His cheerful, buoyant, and witty demeanor made it fun to be a part of this experience." Suzanne Marion, Concert Secretary and Past President Houstston Tuesday Musical Club Member, Music Teachers National Association (U.S.A.) Mezzo-soprano, pianist, and teacher, Houston, Texas. “The Workshop was such fun. You are an amazing teacher, so dynamic and energetic. You seem to know the literature intimately.” Suzanne Marion, Houston Tuesday Musical Club, Texas. "Mr. Knight is reliable, serious & intelligent. I do believe that he will be a fine addition to a Music School Faculty. " Daniel E. Ferro, Voice Faculty, The Juilliard School, New York. “I found his musicianship and vocal teaching to be of the highest standard. His easy and friendly manner, together with his beautiful singing voice and obvious knowledge of style, gives his students confidence, allowing them to give of their best. ““ Ian Hayter, Conductor, Composer, and Producer of Paradisum Records, London, England. " He proved a valuable member of staff who provided excellent results in the vocal development of the school's students. His one on one tuition enabled a number of students with a particular interest in musical theatre to attain a high level of competence which has helped them considerably in their professional careers." Professor Patricia Yardley, Principal of Birmingham School of Speech and Drama. "Music lessons can be considered therapeutic when Knight's teaching techniques are applied." Shannon N. Potts " In touch with what's happening. " Belleville, Canada. " Mr. Knight has also been active in this area [ Belleville, Ontario, Canada ] as a music teacher; in fact, a goodly number of people who sing for me here at Bridge Street have been his voice students, and the improvement in their vocal abilities has been apparent. His students ( some of whom I accompanied )have quite consistently won high marks and first placings in the recent Music Festival here in Belleville." William Maddox, B. Mus, FTCL Organist and Master of the Choirs. Bridge Street Church, Belleville, Ontario. " He has the magical gift for communicating self-confidence in oneself and his motivation to heal and develop other's ability to sing to their full potential is felt as a profound experience by his students, myself especially." Elizabeth O'Driscoll, Director of the Irish International Arts Centre. "Firstly, may I say how consistently well-prepared the students were, both musically and technically." Andrew Peggie, Musical Director, Composer, Assessor, London, England. “ Daniel has a firmly grounded technique together with an extensive knowledge of repertoire and style, and has a wide range of exercises and vocalises, many of which he has developed to suit the specific needs of his students. He is skilled at getting to the core of a vocal problem and finding the solution. “ Chrissy Parsons, Head of The Music Centre, Hounslow Adult Education, Isleworth. “His constant Faith in my progress gives me immense confidence in my singing. Singing with Daniel is definitely a healing and joyous experience.” Dr. Gowri Motha, Medical Doctor, London. “He’s a great voice therapist and I have much confidence in him. Daniel is a great singer and pianist, listening to him was and is a great inspiration to me.” Christine Opperman, Student, South Africa. " He teaches them how to concentrate and wrap themselves up in the music. A lesson with this 30 year - old musician is about more than music. It's about developing confidence, shedding inhibitions, and tapping into all of the innate " creative resources we all have." Lorie Murdoch "Ward Nine News " Toronto, Canada.
" I would
not hesitate to recommend Mr. Knight . Proper breathing, voice placement,
posture and accurate movement of the articulators ( i.e., jaw, tongue )
were an integral part of each lesson. I feel that his method of teaching
would facilitate the transfer of proper vocal use from speech to
singing." Leslie P. Suite, M.Sc., Reg. OSLA, CCC-SLP,
Speech-Language Pathologist,
Ontario,
Canada. |
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