Ian Christopher McGuffin, Baritone, is an American singer and new music collaborator. Ian has worked with many composers and performers to bring works to a new light and to create music devoted to engaging and inspiring. Some of Ian’s favorite operatic ventures include Count Almaviva in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro with the Miami Summer Music Festival, Marcello in Puccini's La Bohème in the Tuscia Opera Festival of Viterbo, Italy, the Imperial Commissioner in Puccini’s Madama Butterly with Hawaii Opera Theater, and Abraham Fleichman in Laura Kaminsky’s Hometown to the World, a digital world premiere.
You will not only find Ian on the operatic stage but also performing in the mediums of oratorio and recital. Such works include the collaborative world premiere of the Dried Tobacco Project, a modern song cycle collaboratively written by the Chicago composer Cassandra Kaczor, several benefit recitals for the Agape National Academy of Music of Liberia, and beloved oratorios such as Handel’s Messiah and Mendelssohn’s Elijah in concert all across the United States.
Ian received his Bachelor of Voice Performance at Campbellsville University where he studied under classical voice teacher Dr. William David Hedrick. Ian also completed his Master of Voice Performance in Opera at Roosevelt University’s College of Performing Arts Conservatory with internationally-acclaimed artist and vocal pedagogue Mark Crayton.
Ian is enrolling now for private lessons on Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Whether one's musical interests are in modern music or the classics, technique is vital. Learning how to use one's voice as an instrument in singing lessons with Josie will deepen our understanding of ourselves and the music!
Josie is a musician and board certified music therapist originally from North Carolina that plays the flute, oboe, and English horn. With a Bachelor's degree in music therapy from Appalachian State University, Josie brings a unique perspective to voice lessons. If you are looking to learn to sing as a form of therapy during your week, a release, to find peace and joy (all things we 100% support), you’ll love Josie!
It is their belief that healing can be found in self-expression, connection, and motivation through love of music. Josie looks forward to sharing and experiencing music with students and clients and watching how music shapes each individual
From Josie: “My belief is that a mentor-student relationship must have a firm foundation in love. Not only should we be supportive and nonjudgmental while we teach, but we should also have a deep love for our subject matter. Self-expression through music is a great love of mine, and one’s knowledge and skill within music allows for a broader range of expression.”
Perfect for adults with daytime availability, Josie is enrolling now for daytime lessons Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and Tuesday/Thursday evenings which are perfect for those with school and work responsibilities.
Josie is currently on a waitlist.
Honor student, award winning opera and jazz vocalist, love for Jesus, family, friends, music, community, and a strong advocate for kindness towards self and others are among the pillars in Madison Zantello’s life that drive her to excel each day.
Having received her diplomas simultaneously from Bonney Lake High School and Pierce Community College via the Running Start program, Madison earned her Associate in Arts degree (AA-DTA), and graduated with honors, including the National Honor Roll and Dean’s List. As a student at Pacific Lutheran University, Maddy’s area of study is focused solely on her Bachelor of Music Performance degree with special concentration in vocal performance; she is the recipient of the Agnes Berge Smith Award, one of the most prestigious music scholarships offered. Maddy’s ultimate goal is to earn her doctorate in vocal performance and brighten the lives of others through singing on stages across the globe.
Outside of maintaining a full-credit load at PLU, voice lessons, music theory and foreign language study, and preparing for upcoming auditions and performances for both opera and jazz, Madison loves to spend time drawing, baking, cooking, working out at the gym, paddle boarding, roller skating and playing the piano.
Rounding out her skills as the consummate entertainer, Maddy finds humor in most everything, loves doing voice impressions, and with her bright smile, and infectious laugh, she is sure to bring joy wherever she goes.
While her musical roots were first formed in jazz at a very young age, Maddy began her formal study of voice and opera at the age of 12. Before turning 17, Madison’s accolades included her role as Morticia in the Addams Family musical comedy, an IMDb credit via a short film, an Amazon back-to-school radio spot, an 8-month bi-weekly study with the Seattle Opera Teen Vocal Studio, qualification for both soprano and alto categories by blind audition for the American Choral Director’s Association regional and national honor choirs, a regional finalist in the Schmidt Vocal Arts Competition, and the proud winner of the soprano category for the 2022 Washington Music Educators Association Solo and Ensemble State Championship. Madison performed the role of Adina in a full stage production of L’elisir d’amore opera her freshman year at PLU. Additionally, Madison has recently performed the role of Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus operetta with the Northwest Sinfonietta and was honored as one of five invited to compete for the Angela Meade Vocal Competition. In July 2023, Madison honed her craft in a three-week culture and opera study at the Branchaleoni Music Festival in Piobbico, Italy which included her solo performance of Quando m’en vo from La Boheme. Madison has also studied ballet, tap, lyrical dance, and attended several film, stage, and voice workshops, including at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre.
Madison also actively participates in the Miss America Opportunity, and currently holds the title of Miss Emerald City 2024! Madison’s Community Service Initiative is Choose Kindness First, which is based on her personal life experiences, and wants to inspire other by leading through positivity, grace, love, gratitude, and kindness in all she does.
Madison is loves to inspire students and help them grow in their skill and love for singing. She is enrolling now for virtual lessons weekday eveninings and in studio on the weekends.
