Lisa Richards began her musical life in Australia at 21, studying classical voice technique by day and performing in a punk band at night. Her basic philosophy on singing is, ‘sing whatever moves you, but learn how your voice works and how to take care of it so you’ll have a voice to enjoy your whole life’. She trained at the Canberra School of Music and then in Sydney with one of Australia’s finest opera singers Joyce “The Voice”  Simmons.

A move from Australia to New York City in 1991 enabled her to  began teaching voice as she furthered her education by studying the Voice, Singing and Teaching techniques with 3 acclaimed teachers. One of whom was Melissa Cross (the Zen of Screaming) and another being Patricia Carey (yes, Mariah’s mother!) and Franni Burke ( whose clients included Madonna, Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Justin Timberlake).

 Her recent education has included a period of study with Dr Meribeth Dayme(Doctorate in Voice Science -Performance and Anatomy)  to become a certified CoreSinging teacher for student level group classes and training in Accent breathing method.

 As an accomplished song-writer and performer, Lisa has toured Australia, Europe and the USA . She has recorded 5 CD’s of her own songs and received song-writing awards from popular song contests including Mid Atlantic Song Writing Competition, Billboard Song Contest, Telluride Bluegrass Troubadour Competition, the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, Merlefest Song-writing Competition and Mountain Stage.

 20 years of teaching voice, guitar and songwriting in New York City, Austin Texas and Australia, have given her a wide appreciation for the gifts that each person brings to their lessons. “My job is to bring out the best in you, to challenge you, inspire you and to guide you towards your own amazing and unique musical self”

  Lisa lives in Canberra, Australia (The nations Capital) and teaches locally, nationally and internationally in person and via Skype. Lisa:lisa@lisarichardsmusic.com

 

“Lisa is intelligent, insightful and is a superb communicator. She listens, observes, and thinks, with the feeling and touch of a talented singer, songwriter and teacher. It is her ability and desire to connect to people, their dreams, their joy and their pain, and her ability to create a learning environment that is challenging yet secure that makes her an exceptional teacher.” 
 Professor John Close, Deputy Director, Dept of Quantum Science, ANU

I took a couple of voice lessons with you in 2009-2010. I have been living primarily in New Orleans since then. The teaching you provided, as well as the voice warm-up cds I took from our lessons, have really been life-changing on so many levels. I can't thank you enough...deepest gratitude for your help on my path to healing and self-liberation.
Celestine A'duende, New Orleans Feb 2015

“Lisa helped me find my voice and gave me the tools I need to use my voice at it’s best. Working with her gave me the confidence I needed to perform in front of an audience and truly enjoy the process of making music.” Suzee Brooks

 As someone who never made so much as a squeak in public or private, taking singing lessons was quite a daunting undertaking. Lisa put me at ease and then proceeded to coax the best out of my voice. Originally I signed up to learn to sing "Happy Birthday", in tune. However, I enjoyed myself so much that I continued the lessons long after the successful birthday event. Singing lessons with Lisa are never dull. She has many inventive ways of getting the best from my voice and there are always lots of fun things to practice at home. With Lisa's help I have built up an interesting repertoire of songs and I have been able to enjoy giving an occasional private performance for those near and dear - something I would never have dreamed of doing before I met Lisa.
Lisa helped me to find my voice and I have no hesitation in recommending Lisa to anyone else who wants to find theirs.  Rena E. Smith, Lakeway Texas

 We thank God for you Lisa... You helped give Sydney her voice...singing or just speaking out...
Laurie, Kurt and Sydney