ABOUT-
Training is the biggest investment an aspiring singer can make and getting the right training can make or break that dream. How do you excel at pop styles, legit musical theater, belt and character songs? How do you sing with ease in any range? How do you transition from a ‘good’ voice to one that will book the job? These are skills that can and must be learned in order to have a career in the theater world or the music industry. With Dave’s technical ability coupled with his experience in the industry, his students will find themselves competitive in a way they didn’t know they could be. Dave is completely committed to help his students achieve their goals and reach for heights they didn’t know were possible. Dave Barrus earned his BFA in Music Dance Theater from Brigham Young University and was part of their vocal faculty before doing graduate work in acting at the University of Connecticut. He has recorded three CDs with Shadow Mountain Records (available on Itunes) and has performed in the National Tour and Broadway productions of “Les Miserables” as well as numerous regional productions around the country. He is a cofounder of The Broadway Dreams Foundation, a non-profit organization that partners Broadway performers with aspiring singers and actors in an educational environment, and he has worked as a teacher and teaching artist throughout the country. Dave has run successful voice studios in Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York City and now expands his studio to the Philadelphia and Wilmington areas. Formerly of Tom Burke Voice Studio in New York City, his approach to voice work includes many disciplines including body work traditions. WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“Dave’s students are his pride and he has proven to be an invaluable mentor to them. I have said many times in many situations that there is no better teacher than Dave Barrus. His technical understanding of the voice allows him to make meaningful improvements in his student’s voices and his knowledge of the industry helps his students to become marketable in a difficult industry. I have seen Dave change many students not only musically, but also by working with them to improve their confidence, set goals and become better artists. He has many students around the country whose lives and voices have been changed because of the interest he has shown them. He is a team player, true artist and a most amazing teacher!”
-Annette Tanner Broadway Dreams Foundation
“I have been a student of Dave’s for seven months and in that short amount of time Dave has given me tools to tackle every vocal challenge I have ever encountered. He has a keen sense of vocal style and pays incredible attention to the details and nuances of how a piece should sound in my voice across every singing style you can imagine whether it be legit, pop, rock, contemporary music theater, you name it. Being a female belter I can say that Dave has completely changed my approach to belting and I am able to sing material that seven months ago I never would have attempted. He is a strong communicator, a great problem solver and he has an answer for everything. His techniques are applicable, tangible and I would recommend Dave to anyone.”
-Nikki McCallum New York City
“Even after working with Dave for a single year he has totally transformed the way I sing, without a doubt for the better – he knows exactly how to adjust a singer literally from head to toe. Furthermore, since he is also an actor, Dave has been able to provide me with real and valuable insight into singing as true performance art, rather than treating the lessons as stoic vocal exercise. Since meeting Dave, I have been empowered to look upon my prospects for a career in performance much more optimistically. Above all, Dave is encouraging, and I am confident that he would be fit to help singers of any and all abilities improve their vocal performance in a fun and supportive environment.”
-Brett-Marco Glauser New York City
“We have worked with Dave Barrus for the last three years. Under Dave’s instruction, my daughter has grown as a vocalist and performer. Dave not only has the experience and skill to teach voice lessons at the highest level, but he has an ability to connect with his students in a way that is rarely seen in this industry. Students of all ages and skill levels will greatly benefit from Dave’s instruction. It is not an opportunity to miss.”
-Nannette Reilly Atlanta
” In late 2010 I suffered a very serious illness that ravaged my voice. I had to stop singing professionally. I thought that within a few months my facility would return, but nearly two years later, after working with many different voice teachers, I found myself still strained, tired, cracking, and without any answers. Then I met Dave. Within the first twenty minutes of our first lesson, I had found a warmth, depth, and expression in my voice that had never been there, not even before my illness. With this phenomenally supportive and insightful teacher, I am starting to be able to apply his principles into my practice routine, and I am seeing results for the first time in two years. I have the answers I so desperately sought. I cannot highly enough recommend this man!”
-Stefan Paolini New York City
“Mr. Barrus’ expert coaching throughout the rehearsals catapulted me to a whole new level with my acting and my voice. He made sure that I was both challenged and at-ease whenever I performed.” “
-Hannah Segura Omaha
“When it comes to musical theatre, Dave is first-rate. He is a top-notch musician and director. He has helped to coach me on many auditions and performances. He was able to offer me great insight into the role, the material, and my presentation of it because of his many years of experience in the show. As a professional singer, I am very protective as to whom I will trust my voice to and Dave is my first-choice as a coach. As a teacher, he puts his students first and goes way out of his way to ensure that they are always prepared for their shows or auditions, often on his own personal time, long after his scheduled day has ended.”
-Lindsay Roberts Philadelphia and New York City
“Nick really grew as an artist through this experience. He has worked with many directors and instructors – from the US and all over the world. He indicates that David helped him develop faster and in ways he never thought he could – not only with acting but musically.”
-Melanie Williams Omaha
“Finding David Barrus was like hitting the jackpot for us! Dave’s strength falls in his incredible desire to motivate and build confidence in each one of my girls. Not only is he offering vocal technique, but he is teaching them how to be giving performers. We feel so privileged to have this opportunity to work with him. He has been such a blessing to our family.”
-Tysa Curry Temecula CA
