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As a teacher, Evelyn Mandac attributes her understanding of the voice to her first teacher in the Philippines, Lourdes Razon (University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music) and to Judy Oz Natalucci (her private teacher during her career), who gave her a solid foundation on vocal technique to teach others. Her other teachers have included Aurelio Estanislao (University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music), Daniel Harris (Oberlin College Conservatory of Music), Hans Heinz (The Juilliard School), Christopher West (The Juilliard School), and Jennie Tourel (The Juilliard School). Ms. Mandac has been teaching vocal technique and music interpretation since 1987. Her vocal technique incorporates the ideas encouraged by the discipline of yoga - the connection of mind, body, and spirit to create a sense of total presence. Due to her unique ability to put students at ease, she gives her students the creative energy to express their interpretation of music regardless of one's level of proficiency. Her talent and reputation continues to garner invitations to give master voice classes at various music institutions and foundations all over the United States, Canada, and the Philippines.
"As a teacher, Evelyn Mandac is hyper focused. Unlike others who teach from some kind of pre-planned step-by-step manual, she has a more instinctive, organic approach. She is totally present listening to you sing in the moment and suggesting various ways to improve on how you just sang as she demands more and more of your concentration and energy... her student's many strengths and weaknesses are laid bare in full view for her to inspect. While this is clearly unsettling, there is nothing to fear because she does not magnify insecurities but patiently teaches you how to smooth them out... she transforms... various uglies into something beautiful..."
~ from Chiara Cox in La Donna È Mirabile ~
~ from Chiara Cox in La Donna È Mirabile ~
Students include Mezzo-Soprano Alyssa Lehman Staron currently with the Wilmington Concert Opera in Delaware, Soprano and Orchestra Soloist Chiho Kaneko in New England, Soprano and Voice Specialist in Paris Christiana Serafin de Ocampo, award winning Soprano, producer and recording artist in Canada Lilac Caña, voice teacher in Oregon Lisa Florentino, and Soprano and Vocal Coach in San Francisco Madison Smith.
Evelyn was my first truly important teacher. She is one of the great "old school" teachers. She is so generous with her knowledge. She's a treasure. She taught me things I didn't learn at conservatory. The most important thing she taught me aside from from technique, was to be fearlessly honest in self-assessment. I wouldn't be the teacher and singer I am now without her. I was able to learn from other teachers including Magda Olivero and Nelly Miriciouio because of the foundation Evelyn gave me. Evelyn deserves to be National Artist.
~ from Christiana Serafin de Ocampo, Voice Specialist in Paris ~
~ from Christiana Serafin de Ocampo, Voice Specialist in Paris ~
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