How I Resurrected My High School Instrument
Revisiting an instrument is like getting reacquainted with an old friend – with some hurdles. Learn how aural skills can make this reunion go smoothly!
Marisa Balistreri
Marisa Balistreri is a native of Madison, Wisconsin who has been involved in music somewhere, somehow her whole life. From piano and violin training to becoming a classically trained singer, her varied career as a professional musician ranges from musical theatre to opera to jazz.
Marisa Balistreri received her B.A. from the University Wisconsin-Madison in Theatre and Drama and Psychology, and her A.R.C.T Diploma in Vocal Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada.
Trained in Italy in the traditional Italian method of singing, she has sung with The Rome Opera, The Cairo Opera Company and on Holland America Line as an opera singer.
Always eager to expand her musical knowledge, Marisa enjoys the challenge of learning new styles and genres of music. She is currently transitioning from opera to jazz and sings in a duo with Stefan Hall.
Learn more about Marisa:
Posts by Marisa Balistreri
Vocal Technique: Putting it All Together
With a strong vocal foundation and making space, a singer can produce amazing effects. What’s more, good technique can help you keep singing for a lifetime.
Vocal Technique: Making Space
How do opera singers achieve huge sound for a lifetime singing career? Part of the answer is in moving out of the way – mentally, yes, but also physically.
Spell Intervals Fast: Tips and Tricks
Learning to “spell” intervals is essential but the standard way to work them out is too slow! Use these tricks to speed it up.
Improve Your Improv: Listen to the Rhythm Section, with Stefan Hall
Beginning improvisers often lose their way in the form. Stefan Hall shares his teaching about listening to the rhythm section to keep your solo on track.
Success Essentials, Loving Tango and Spelling Intervals
The nuts-and-bolts of how to succeed in music, rock your practicing, read like a pro, and speed up your interval spelling – all with a side of tango love.
Spell Intervals Fast: How To
To use interval recognition for real musical tasks you’ll need to know how to spell intervals too. Learn quickly with this clever and unusual approach.
Songwriting Secrets and Games, Vocal Birthright and Disco Balls
Whether through songwriting, singing, disco karaoke, or giving the gift of a Musical U membership – having fun with music keeps our creative juices flowing.
Turn a card, write a song: Easy as Ace, Two, Three!
It’s easy to feel stuck or intimidated when writing a new song. Try using this fun song-writing game to loosen up your creativity!
Hooktheory Hooks, Jazzy Education and Musicality Matters
How to train musical skills without quelling the passion? Something old school, something new… Easy Ear Training and Musical U round up the best of both.
5 Key Skills to be Musical
Learning these five skills of musicianship and you will be well on your way to becoming a complete and versatile musician in the modern world.
Vocal Technique: 3 Italian Secrets
Who can sing for three hours straight over an entire orchestra with no mic? Opera singers, of course. Transform your body into the ultimate instrument.
