Affiliates
Endorsements
“There are many great singers that have had wonderful careers, but simply don't have the ability or talent to be able to teach good vocal technique. This is not the case with Joel Shelley Jameson. Their own vocal technique was built by the wonderful soprano and teacher Dodi Protero who studied with one of the greatest Italian sopranos, Toti del Monte. There are two aspects of vocal technique that are absolutely vital for a singer to develop and maintain for a long, healthy career. These two aspects are the proper intake of air and the proper use of the appoggio. This is exactly what Joel and Shelley teach, along with their knowledge and experience of role interpretation, language skills and excellent stage craft. Joel and Shelley have an amazing ability to assess exactly what problems singers have and communicate what they want from them. This, to me, is incredibly important. They are extremely nurturing, respectful and dedicated to their students and demand the highest standards for them and themselves. Their commitment to the highest standards of vocal technique as well as all skills of stage and career development are deeply needed in our world of singing today.”
Marianne Cornetti
Internationally acclaimed Verdi mezzo-soprano
Artistic Director, Pittsburgh Festival Opera co.
“Jameson Vocal Studio has changed the game for my vocal health. Even after just 1 month, I began noticing the change in my sound as JVS helped me break bad vocal habits and build a solid vocal technique. As a signed artist at Arista Records, Sony Music Entertainment, learning the proper way to sing and support my sound has been extremely important to me. Studying at JVS is an honor and singing’s never felt this natural and healthy. Thank you!”
Artist with Arista Records, Sony Music Entertainment
“Joel and Shelley have helped my artists learn to keep their voices healthy and build the confidence they need to be successful performers in the pop music industry. There are no other vocal professionals I would trust!”
Anwar Sawyer
Manager A&R-SMG ENT
Roc Nation Publishing
“Joel and Shelley Jameson are in my experience the finest teachers of classical singing I have encountered. Their training was from “The Greats” and their work with singers on a technical level is unparalleled! They are professional and persistent in their work with singers, students, and professionals. They make it their mission to reach those who work with them. In the last ten-plus years, I served as their music director/pianist for opera productions and found tremendous growth in their students every year. I can say, finally, there is solid teaching back in the vocal world offered to those who are serious
about building a vocal performance career in music of various genres.”
David Maiullo
Pianist, Conductor/Coach
“Joel and Shelley Jameson are not only exceptional technicians, musicians, and artists, they are also exceptional people. Their essential lessons on proper vocal technique, acting, and diction continue to cultivate me as an artist and singer. Their love for music and the students they mentor is clear in everything they do. They enjoy seeing their students grow and challenge themselves in new and unexpected ways. Being coached and directed by Shelley in many operas and molded-in Joel’s voice studio are incredible highlights in my life as a singer. I cannot speak highly enough about the astounding gift that they are to the music community.”
Charity Sawyer
Lyric Coloratura soprano, BM in Vocal Performance, Nyack College.
“In this crazy business, there are very few people I can go to who I can REALLY trust. Joel is undoubtedly one of those people. Joel is a sensitive musician and a clear, direct educator. After my master’s degree I moved back to NYC area but I was left with no voice teacher. When he invited me to sing my first Marcello as a guest artist at Nyack College, I found his teaching and coaching style to be insightful, thoughtful, clear, direct and extremely helpful. As I began to take private lessons with him I found he also has a wealth of knowledge and a great set of ears. After working with a myriad of teachers and coaches in the New York area, working with Joel has been a breath of fresh air. I am extremely fortunate to have him in my corner. “
Sam McDonald
Baritone
“Shelley has believed in me and been a source of motivation and inspiration from the first day I met her. She directed me in my first Marcello. Her directing style is very clear and concise yet welcoming to questions and ideas from the artists. Coming from a theater background, I have oftentimes been disappointed with the lack of directing from opera directors, but Shelley surpassed my expectations. She is not only an excellent stage director, she is a natural performer, educator, and nurturer. She is extremely passionate and creates a warm, welcoming, productive, and supportive learning
environment for all of her students. “
Sam McDonald
Baritone
“Studying with Shelley Jameson has brought stability, comfort, technical mastery and confidence to my voice. She believes in a true bel canto style of operatic technique with a focus on breath support that can properly sustain a vocally free performance. Lessons with her are all-encompassing; she guides not only by building a rock-solid technique, but with character interpretation and correct musical coaching input as well. Shelley really wants to help her students understand the music they are singing in order to produce a well-rounded performance. She also cares deeply for her students in a holistic way. She trains their voices, offering them the fullness of her knowledge and impressive experience to inform, but she also cares about them as people and artists. I would highly recommend Shelley to beginner singers and highly experienced singers alike. She can come alongside you and help you at any
stage of your journey.”
Katherine Wiswell
Mezzo-soprano
“I study voice with Shelley Jameson, but seek her husband, Joel for musical coachings. As a team, these two teachers are completely compatible and unbelievably helpful. Coaching my music with Joel has always proved encouraging and illuminating. He is a master of diction and musical expression. Having a successful international operatic singing career under his belt, he knows how to instruct singers in a vocally helpful way to better their overall performance. Joel’s critiques seek to inspire true excellence of the singer, but is voiced with an open spirit and desire to truly help each individual in their journey.”
Katherine Wiswell
Mezzo-soprano
“Joel and Shelley Jameson have collaborated with musical director David Maiullo, to produce many wonderful operatic productions. They have served as the artistic directors, stage director, conductor, chorus master and vocal coach of these productions to high acclaim. It is amazing to our faculty and audiences the professional level of these performances considering our close proximity to New York City, which confirms their high level of efficiency and skill in the area of Voice and Opera.”
Dr. Michael, G. Scales
Retired President Emeritus of Nyack College, Manhattan, NY.
“Joel and Shelley are marvelous human beings. Their strong character have shaped their way and guided them through their life’s choices. Many terms can be used to describe them: compassionate, considerate, respectful, and energetic. When it comes to their profession, music has always been Joel and Shelley’s passion. Whether performing or teaching, they excel in reaching and attaining the highest standards. At this stage of their career, teaching and sharing their knowledge with the next generation of performers, is their highest priority. Many experts are required to mold and shape young singers of tomorrow. Joel and Shelley have prepared themselves to be two of those leaders. Their experience have few equals and since we all stand on the shoulders of those whose teaching has inspired and educated us, they stand tall on some of the finest in the music world.”
Dr. Thomas F. Cleveland, Ph.D.
Retired Director of Vocology at Vanderbilt Voice Center and Professor
of Otolaryngology, Medical Center School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University.
“I learned of Joel and Shelley’s talents long before meeting them as they are distinguished alumni of the School of Music at Illinois Wesleyan University. It was our great pleasure to invite Joel and Shelley back to IWU to offer a master class and talk with our students about having a career in music. The suggestions they offered to each performer during their master class were insightful and clear, confirmed by the fact that the students were able to immediately and successfully incorporate them. They possess a wonderful ability to get to the core of vocal issues without confusing the students. Their teaching incorporates an excellent balance between imagery and science and they are adept at explaining complex vocal concepts to our undergraduates. While at IWU, Joel and Shelley performed on a recital with some of our students. They both have a natural ease to their performance style and a great sensitivity to the texts. They affirmed this sensitivity when working with our students, encouraging them to use the text as the core of their interpretation. Perhaps the most striking thing I discovered about Joel and Shelley during their visit was their unending generosity. In a three-day visit, they offered a master class, taught in my Vocal Techniques class, held a roundtable discussion on being a professional musician, performed in a joint recital, and offered hours of private lessons to interested students. Their generosity was appreciated by all involved and our students still talk fondly
of what they learned during the Jameson visit.”
Dr. William Hudson
Associate Professor of Music, Voice and Vocal Pedagogy, Head of Vocal and
Choral Departments, Illinois Wesleyan University.
Reviews
“But Shelley Jameson became the star of the evening with her gorgeous voice that soared through Dreyfoos Hall with either unbridled power and clarity or with a feather-light sound under perfect control. In a role that can be overacted, Jameson played the part of Violetta Valery the sick ill-fated heroine dying of tuberculosis with appropriate drama. Jameson’s superb vocal abilities were evident in the aria; Ah fors’ è lui and the buoyant sempre libera.”
- Herbert Perez-Vidal Palm Beach News
“But the day’s most perfect voice belonged to Shelley Jameson. Flawless from soaring highs to a remarkably full lower register, superbly balanced and nuanced, it is an instrument seemingly designed by executive fiat for Ah, Fors’ è lui-Sempre libera, La Traviata. Then she reappeared in the concert’s final number and showed herself equally potent in an earlier style, leading the Act III sextet from Donizetti’s, Lucia di Lammeroor with fire and precision, a beautiful; actress with a beautiful voice.”
- Peter Spenser, The New Jersey Star-Ledger
“Shelley Jameson’s strong voice navigated the rocky reefs of the part with remarkable dexterity. Especially notable was the control she demonstrated - several times leaping to a whisper tone and then magnifying it with a crescendo that filled the hall.”
- Edward Kupperstein, Arizona Daily Star
“In the role of Costanza, Shelley Jameson floated some of the most exquisite high C’s I have heard in a long time!”
- Karolyn Griffin, News-Press of Fort Myers
“Su tutte, s’e elevata la voce del soprano, Shelley Jameson, Il suo Sempre Libera, dalla Traviata, e stato a dir poco eccellente!” Translation: “Over all, the highest level voice, of soprano, Shelley Jameson was the finest, in her sempre libera from Traviata and was at the very least excellent.”
- Franco Borrelli, Americana Oggi
“Shelley Jameson completely captivated her audience in her portrayal. She appeared to be knowledgeable and vulnerable. She made a pleasing appearance, lovely in every detail and had self-assurance on stage.”
- Frank Milton, Los Angeles Sentinel
“Portraying the tragic role Violetta Valery was Shelley Jameson, a soprano with a powerful voice and amazing range. She sang all her notes effortlessly, then sang so softly it was like an echo of her own voice. Her aria in act 1 had the audience applauding heartily.”
- Shirley Davis, Quad City Times