Lessons
“I’ve been working with Mary for 4.5 years and have loved every minute of it. Being fairly new to singing, I lacked confidence that impacted my performance and enjoyment. After only a handful of lessons, I learned exercise and techniques that helped increase my confidence, skill and passion for singing. My journey continues and I’m grateful for all the professional and knowledgeable instruction Mary provided!”
“Mary always made me feel comfortable singing. Since I was a beginner, she gave me a lot of exercises to do outside our lessons to continue to strengthen my voice. In the few lessons we had, she gave me a lot to think about and I definitely learned a lot already and feel a lot more confident with my voice and, using what she taught me, I know my voice will keep growing! ”
“Mary was a fantastic teacher to my somewhat shy awkward son. Encouraging and enthusiastic, she helped him with singing, confidence and prepping for his audition. Thx! ”
“I really enjoyed the time we spent. Mary made the lesson fun and passed on a lot of information. ”
“Mary has a wide range of repertoire and technical knowledge that will help any singer pursing musical theater, opera or oratorio. She is wonderfully encouraging and inspires every student she comes in contact with! Highly recommend.”
Mary-Alexandra Onstad, a seasoned soprano, has dedicated her career to not only performing opera and art songs but also sharing her knowledge and passion for classical voice, musical theater, and jazz. With over 17 years of teaching experience, she has had the privilege of instructing aspiring singers from various age groups, ranging from 10 to 99 years old, in both the Northern Virginia and New England area.
In addition to running her private studio, Mary-Alexandra is an esteemed faculty member at NEMPAC and Northpoint Bible College. Her instruction encompasses a wide range of subjects, including voice, piano, music theory, and more. Her comprehensive approach ensures that her students receive a well-rounded education in all facets of music.
Credentials:
As a New England Conservatory of Music graduate with over 15 years of teaching and performing experience in both the U.S and Europe, I have had the privilege of immersing myself in a wide array of performance genres. From the captivating world of straight theater to the enchanting realm of Musical Theater, and from the grandeur of Opera to the intimate beauty of Art Song, my performance experience spans across diverse genres. Additionally, I have had the pleasure of participating in Choral ensembles and lending my voice to unique and memorable Special Events. Throughout my career, I have continuously honed my skills and embraced the opportunity to share my passion for music with aspiring students and enthusiastic audiences alike.
Teaching Experience:
Northpoint Bible College and Seminary- Adjunct Professor of Worship Arts - August 2020-Present
Applied Voice, Applied Piano, Fundamentals of Music Theory, Music Theory 1 and 2, Ear Training 1 and 2, Survey of Contemporary Christian Music
North End Music and Performing Arts Center- Voice and Piano Faculty- August 2017- Present
Voice lessons for all ages and ranges
Piano lessons for beginner to intermediate levels starting at age 5 through adult.
Music with Mary- Independent Voice, Piano and Acting Instructor- August 2006- Present
Teaching voice lessons to all ages
Teaching piano lessons to all ages
Acting lessons
ChagallPAC on Artists Row in Salem, MA- Voice and Piano Teaching Artist- February 2024-Present
Teaching voice lessons to all ages
Teaching piano lessons to all ages
Music Teaching Philosophy: Empowering through Expression and Excellence
In my music education philosophy, I empower students to find their voices and appreciate music. I believe in nurturing creativity and embracing diverse musical tastes and styles. I aim to cultivate excellence through rigorous training and encourage deep understanding of music's emotional language. As a mentor, I guide students in developing discipline, perseverance, and confidence.
Areas of Study
Classical Voice- Art Song, Oratorio and Opera
Musical Theater and Jazz
Sacred and Contemporary Christian Music
Audition Techniques
Acting for the Singer
Acting Techniques
Singing for the Actor
General Information
When will I pay for my lessons?
All fees for the month are due and payable in advance at the first lesson of the month. Please have your payment ready at the beginning of the lesson unless prior arrangements have been made. Payment can be made via check, credit card via square, VENMO or cash. Bundles packs are also available. Please inquiry for those rates.
One hour lesson= $75
45 minute lesson= $55
30 minute lesson= $40
*I recommend beginner students to start out with 30-minute lessons and work up from there.
*I include a small additional travel fee for in-home lessons. Please inquiry for rates.
How many lessons per month will I have?
The normal amount of lessons is one lesson per week. If you feel that is not possible we can discuss a different arrangement. If you would like to take more than once a week that is also possible to make arrangements for.
What if I need to miss a lesson?
Please remember that you are reserving a weekly or bi-weekly lesson spot but if you need to be gone for any reason please let me know in advance. I have a 24-hour cancellation policy. Please call with your name and reason for absence. If I don’t get 24 hour notice then the lesson will be charged in full, if you know in advance we can discuss a makeup lesson at a later date.
What if the studio needs to close?
We will not have lessons during government holidays or if school or offices are closed due to weather related incidents. If I need to be gone due to illness, vacation or other singing related activities then this lesson will be made up at a later date.
What I except out of you as a student?
Please come to your lessons ready to learn and have fun. Materials that you will need to bring are a small notebook, pencil to take notes with and any music or music books or related materials either purchased by you or provided by myself. I also recommend bringing some type of recording device, as it is really helpful to go back and listen to what we worked on as well as listen to how you are progressing in your lessons. Please be on time for your lesson. If you are going to be late please let me know as soon as possible but please remember that we will only work the remaining time of the lesson. I hope that you will come to each lesson prepared with any new music that I have given you. Practice is just as important as the lesson you are taking.
What to except out of me as your instructor?
I will make sure to challenge you as a student giving you as much knowledge as I know possible. If you ask a question and I don’t know it I will make sure to go out of my way to find that information for you. I try to incorporate as many different types of music into your lessons but will also be respectful of what you what to learn during your time. I want to make sure that you not only learn the foundations of singing but also enjoy yourself and have fun while doing it.