Brittany Cusack – Voice & Piano Teacher

Voice and Piano

Brittany Cusack

She/Her/Hers

M.M. Vocal Performance, Brooklyn College-Conservatory

Classical, Pop

I am an Irish-American Dramatic Soprano. Upcoming engagements include Ella in The Blocklist and future tba roles in upcoming operas. Recent engagements included the Witch in Hansel and Gretel and Guest Soloist in Die Fledermaus with Brooklyn Opera Theater, Ortlinde in Die Walkure, Freia in Das Rheingold, Crobyle (Cover) in Thais, Kate Pinkerton (Cover) in Madama Butterfly, all with Opera Company of Brooklyn, and Dorothée in Cendrillon with New York Lyric Opera Theatre. I also performed Nella in Gianni Schicchi with SU Opera Up-Close and Niobe in Daphnis et Chloe (Offenbach) with Opera at USC.

I was recently featured as Lady Macbeth in the International Electroacoustic Festival’s production Electrified Lady Macbeth. I also premiered Gurd Afrid, a new composition by Yuriy Lehki, and I have several new compositions that are currently in progress.

I am equally at home in the competition circuit. I was a Semi-Finalist in the New York Lyric Opera Theatre Vocal Competition and a Preliminary Winner in the Classical Singer Competition.

I graduated from Shenandoah Conservatory with a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance and a Minor in Piano.  I am currently completing her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance at Brooklyn College-Conservatory in Brooklyn, NY. I currently reside in Philadelphia, PA.

My teaching style is relaxed and encouraging. I create a safe space for my students to explore all of their musical dreams in whatever genre they choose and provide them with the technique and repertoire to do so. I also help them with anything that they may be working on of their own.

When did you begin singing, and why?

I began singing at age 5. I loved to sing and thought it was a lot of fun, so I decided to give it a try!

What are your personal goals as a musician?

My personal goal is to sing at La Scala in Milan.

Do you have a memory of a time when a musical concept or technique really clicked?  Something you’ll remember forever?

I will always remember the day that I learned to sing a pianissimo high note. I finally understood how to do it after my teacher said to think of singing it in a smaller space and somehow that clicked. My teacher literally screamed out of happiness and then so did I!

What is your favorite piece of advice from one of your past (or current) teachers?

The best advice that I’ve ever heard is that singing is a habit, not a big secret. If you treat singing like a habit, like any other skill, than it becomes much less scary and much more approachable, and therefore easier!

What was your most challenging moment learning an instrument

Learning how to breathe properly for singing was definitely challenging, but with hard work I mastered my breathing technique.

What is your biggest musical achievement?

Singing in The Ring Cycle at Lincoln Center is one of my biggest accomplishments, as well as singing Lady Macbeth in the world premiere of “Words are Not What They Seem” at the International ElectroAcoustic Music Festival in Brooklyn, NY. I am proud to have vocally coached the singers of an Off-Broadway Musical in NYC for their performances. I also enjoyed performing on Bigo Live and Twitch for over 100,000 people daily.

Favorite thing about teaching?

I love to watch my students progress in their musical endeavors and to grow as musicians. My greatest joy is in seeing them succeed!

What is a piece of advice you would like to share with anyone learning music?

It is a habit, not a secret. With hard work and dedication, you can do anything that you put your mind to. Music changes the lives of everyone that it touches, so try your best and your dreams will come true!

Personal music projects:

I am currently in production for my friend’s new concept album that I am singing on and am working on some new operas as well. I am also premiering new songs at New York Fashion Week, in which I also model.

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