Teaching Artistry 

Tahira Clayton is teaching artist catering to all ages in New York City. She has quickly made a name for herself in the New York City childhood music education scene. A charismatic and energetic teaching artist, Tahira is highly sought after as an educator catering to ages 3 to 18, but able to, and frequently works with all ages on auditions, performances, competitions, and more. Tahira maintains her own private studio with students of all ages. This private studio is an auditioned studio. All of these lessons are offered in-home. Private voice, piano, and theory lessons are available at Tahira's home studio, in-home, or via Skype.  Further inquiries can be made via email at tahiraclaytonmusic@gmail.com

In addition to her private studio, Tahira offers her teaching skills as a freelance music educator to the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, Trinity Music Wall Street, and Third Street Music Settlement. In these positions, Tahira directs choral programs public schools throughout NYC, a choral program for senior citizens, and a community chorus at the Jefferson Market Street Library. Tahira has also does freelance teaching work for The Juilliard School. 

Tahira chooses repertoire as well as creates and contributes choral music education curriculum ideas to public schools in NYC looking to implement custom music education for their students. In addition to this work, Tahira also develops and maintains a curriculum for the early bird music student, ages 3 to 5. This very early childhood music education primarily focuses on introducing musical concepts, including basic music theory, instrument introduction/identification, and combining those concepts while engaging and reinforcing motor skills. 

As an teaching artist, Tahira has trained and worked with students who have been received callbacks and booked Broadway shows,  have successfully auditioned and been admitted to the Juilliard School's pre-college program, and first time musical theatre students who have landed lead roles in their community theatre companies.  In 2016, 2017, and 2018, Tahira's students all scored within 1 point, if not, a perfect score in New York state's annual NYSSMA. 

In conjunction with being a private and classroom music instructor, Tahira is a highly sought after clinician for contemporary voice and jazz ensembles. She frequently goes into the New York City public school system to perform highly interactive masterclasses of  jazz music to school-aged students (elementary thru high school). Tahira has been a recurring faculty member of the Southampton Summer Jazz Camp for 2 years and will join the Rider University Contemporary voice camp in Summer 2018. Tahira has also provided clinics and directed numerous groups across the United States.  

Tahira's dedication as a musician is easily found within her teaching. She believes that the making of a musician starts as early as learning one's first words and must continue with passion all the way through their lives, and caters to that idea. By working with young and more advanced ages to cultivate a passion for music and a desire to learn music, Tahira is supremely well rounded for the budding musician of any age. Common topics covered in Tahira's lessons:

-breathing technique
-singing techniques (specializes in healthy belt and mixing. Introduces proper singing tips for youngsters)
-vocal style development
-vocal tone development
-band-leading
-transcriptions
-song writing
-lyric interpretation
-repertoire ideas and suggestions
-vocal anatomy
-music theory
-jazz theory fundamentals
-ear-training
-sight-singing
-singing and piano playing
-beginning piano technique