LAURA DEKKERS
LAURA DEKKERS
Bringing Broadway-style vocal coaching to the Ojai Valley
Laura has performed on Broadway in the Original Broadway Cast of the Tony-nominated musical The Woman in White by Andrew Lloyd Webber under the direction of Trevor Nunn. Laura worked for The Roundabout Theater in New York on the workshops of Paradise Lost with Tony Winners Susan Stroman and Hal Prince and on Red Sox Nation under the direction of Tony Winner Diana Paulus (Finding Neverland, Pippin and Hair). Her favorite roles include Laurey in Oklahoma, Polly in The Boyfriend, and Magnolia in Showboat, for which she won a Billie Award. Laura had the honor of performing for our troops in nine different countries worldwide with the Department of Defense.
On television, you may have seen her in Bold and the Beautiful, One Life to Live, and Conviction, and reruns of a Law and Order episode still haunt her. Her commercial and voice-over work includes Bath and Body Works and Schick razor blades. Laura also spent three years traveling the country as a casting associate scouting young talent.
Laura received her BA in Theater from Roosevelt University in Chicago. She studied privately in Los Angeles with Edward Sayegh from 1998 until 2001 and in New York City with Liz Caplan starting in 2002.
Laura had her first taste of teaching in 2005 when she taught as a Liz Caplan associate and loved it; “helping singers find their authentic sound, and being free to sing any style they want, is thrilling and deeply rewarding.” She is now happily living in Ojai, where she grew up, teaching voice and performing for her daughters Olivia, 15, Hope, 13, and Fiona, 10, seven nights a week.
Laura is available to be booked as a soloist. See resume.
“I discovered with Laura a relaxation and joy while singing that had been repressed while trying to make it perform to someone else’s expectations.”
LAURA WAS RECENTLY FEATURED IN VENTANA MONTHLY MAGAZINE TO SHOWCASE HER WORK AND SUCCESS AS A VOCAL PROFESSIONAL.
Vocal Studio
Vocal Studio
WHAT I TEACH
I teach a contemporary style of singing that can be added to a classical foundation. I build on your authentic, natural sound and strengthen and grow that voice into one that can sing Rock, Pop, Belt, or Classical and to be able sing them for hours! Singing is a full body athletic experience.
HOW I TEACH
I work with students that are ready to see changes in their voices and start a new vocal regimen in order to get the results they're looking for.
My goal is to teach you about your voice so that YOU have the tools to keep it healthy and strong. Since I won’t be there with you in auditions, rehearsals, or in the studio, I believe it is my job to not just to teach you to sing correctly, but also to know what to do when it isn't working. I only take a handful of students at a time due to the intense nature of the work.
WHY I TEACH
I teach to share my passion. I was fortunate to have received vocal training from some of the leading vocal teachers in the world and now that I call Ojai home, I would like to share that knowledge with the talent here in the Valley and surrounding areas.
“I have spent over two decades now working professionally in the performing arts and have earned a BA from UCLA and MA from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. During those years, I’ve had the pleasure and occasional frustration of working with literally dozens of vocal teachers with varied methods and means of describing the workings of the voice.
Laura was recommended to me by one of my earliest and most cherished teachers who, quite humbly and most generously, thought she wasn’t the best teacher for me at this point in my career, but thought that Laura would be. I am ever grateful.
I re-discovered while working with Laura that the goal is to be your best authentic self. Not to mimic the sounds of someone else, but to build the healthiest version of your instrument and then play with it. The technique she uses includes a repetitive, grounding practice to strengthen and tone the vocal chords. It’s akin to yoga and ballet in practicing a technique that builds health and strength which then allows for flexibility, power, and expression when performing.
Laura herself is an outstanding partner. Despite her impressive background and successes, she is without ego in lessons. She is focused on listening and interpreting to maximize your potential and healthy, supported sound. She is also, quite simply, a lovely human being.
Her teaching seems ideal for professionals looking to deepen their understanding of their own voice. I discovered with Laura a relaxation and joy with mine that had been repressed while trying to make it perform to someone else’s expectations.
She has my wholehearted admiration and recommendation.”
Work with Me
Work with Me
FAQ
FAQ
WHO HAVE YOU WORKED WITH?
It's name-dropping time: Tony awards winners and nominees: Sir Trevor Nunn, Hal Prince, Susan Stroman, Diane Paulus, Kelli O'Hara, Michael Ball, Maria Friedman, Judy Kuhn, Kate Baldwin, Roger Reese, Orson Bean, Marcia Mitzman, Jonathan Tunick, Peter Matz, Judy Kaye, Shuler Hensley, John Cullum, and Chris Noth. And many others who haven’t been up for a Tony yet, but they will!
WHAT IF I DON'T LIVE NEARBY?
If you don’t live nearby, no problem! Some students travel up to an hour to get here, and in those cases, they book a longer lesson and see me less often. Coaching by Skype is also available.
DO YOU TEACH CHILDREN?
No, I don’t. I love children, but my focus is on adults or very serious young adults. However, feel free to contact me; I am happy to make recommendations.