Local Music Teacher Delights in Helping Others Find Their Talents

Though many of her students come to her to prepare for a college education in music, and often are accepted into very prestigious music programs, Alyssa Saunders, 31, who has lived most of her life in Long Valley, takes great joy in helping people of all ages find the bliss that she has found in music.

With more than 20 students who range in age from 5- to 70-years-old, Saunders said that she loves helping people discover the joy of playing the piano and finding their voice.

“It’s the best feeling in the world. Nothing gives me greater joy than singing,” said Saunders, who has been crooning since she was about five years old.

 “I love working with people of all ages,” said Saunders.

“Many people believe that when you try to learn something later in life that it’s much more difficult. Certainly when you are very young, it is easier because children are like sponges. But when you study a new skill as an adult, you bring something very different to the table,” said Saunders.

“Many people who study piano or voice later in life are doing it because they really want to–they are self-motivated. They’re not doing it because of their parents. Often they end up doing a lot better than the kids, because what’s driving them is self-motivation,” said Saunders.

Saunders, a highly motivated, life-long student, is now working on her second master’s degree in Speech & Language Pathology. She earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in music education, then completed a teaching certificate and began teaching in Stanhope at the Lenape Valley Regional High School.

She went on to earn a master’s degree in music education at Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts.

“I became very interested in the voice because I was having vocal problems from constant use and not using my voice properly. I have learned a great deal now and this has become my primary focus in teaching others–learn to sing through the healthy production of sound,” said Saunders.

Saunders said she sings professionally and especially loves classical, lyric musical theatre and enjoys singing all types of music.

She encourages anyone at any age to follow their passion. But she also encourages anyone interested in learning to sing to first learn the piano–at least train for two years.

“It’s much easier for someone to work on singing a piece of music if they can plunk out the tune on the piano and play it for themselves,” said Saunders.

Saunders said–surprisingly–many of the younger kids who study with her especially love classical music, opera, Lieder or German classical songs, and Italian art songs.

Her students will be featured in an upcoming recital on May 21 at the Lamington Presbyterian Church on Lamington Road in Bedminster. The recital is open to the public.

For more information, visit www.saundersmusicstudio.com