Alix Evans
Mezzo-Soprano
Early Harps
Study with Alix
Alix has all the tricks to help you move through any self-consciousness and have you singing out like it's no big deal. Her relaxed manner, along with her bottomless knowledge of cool music history tidbits might have you thinking you've found the Bob Ross of voice. Sing some happy little notes!
-Leanne Z.
Voice Lessons
Alix teaches voice to students virtually and in-person at her home studio in Silver Spring, MD. No matter where you are on your musical journey, and no matter what sounds or styles inspire you, Alix is excited to help you achieve your goals. With a solid grounding in Western classical singing and vocal health, Alix believes that the role of technique is to protect the voice and to expand the things it's capable of - never to make you sound a certain way or to fit you into a box! Alix works with a wide variety of ages and experience levels, and is ready to meet you where you are and get you to where you want to go. Her studio is a relaxed, inclusive environment that respects and celebrates her students' varied backgrounds, identities, and passions. Sign up here to be contacted about scheduling and availability.
Alix is a very patient and encouraging teacher! She helped me become comfortable with basic vocal technique, and find my range...As someone with no prior training, I was hoping to become more comfortable and confident with my singing, and Alix helped with exactly that and then some!
-Rachel L.
Early Harps, Lyres, and Music Coaching
Alix also offers coaching on early harps and the research and interpretation of early music. Whether you're starting from the ground up as a harpist, or transitioning from a floor harp, Alix is able to help you learn the ins and outs of medieval and renaissance harps and lyres. She will help you develop a solid technique tailored for the small, leverless harp (that can still include accidentals), and can show you how much variety is possible with only a few strings of a lyre. In addition, Alix is available to help students find and interpret early repertoire, including learning how to read early notation, how to fill in the gaps left by that notation, and how to write or improvise instrumental accompaniment. Sign up here to be contacted about scheduling and availability.
I took a one-hour seminar Alix taught on medieval musical intonation. Her lecture was energetic and informative, but I was nervous about the practicum. I had no voice training at all and was skeptical that I'd be able to sing the perfect fifths and feel the resonance. Guess what? With Alix's gentle suggestions, it took just a few tries to lock it in and really feel how medieval music sounded. A great class with a great teacher!
-Jamie L.
Early Music Classes
Alix offers a number of one-off classes on topics related to early music that are perfect for small or large groups, and work in both in-person and virtual settings. Here is a sampling of classes she's taught, but she's also open to developing classes on new topics for groups with particular interests.
Song of Songs Gregorian Chant Workshop
Students learn two short Gregorian chants, including a primer on square chant notation and Latin diction, culminating in a live performance over Zoom featuring soloists singing over vocal drones.
Modes and Motifs
An introduction to medieval music theory for musicians and songwriters. This course covers modes and melodic material from the Middle Ages, medieval approaches to accompaniment, and tuning. The course covers basic music theory concepts, but assumes no prior knowledge of music theory.
Just and Pythagorean Intonation
Students learn how perfect intervals are formed, how they differ from modern, equal-tempered intervals, why we've moved from Pythagorean intonation toward equal temperament, and the physics behind what makes this intonation system sound so special. The second hour of this two-hour class focuses on strategies for singers who wish to sing using just intonation.
Medieval Music Notation
This two-part course prepares students to decipher music in manuscripts written in early modal notation and mensural notation.
The Music of the Troubadours
In this class, students listen to and examine the music of the troubadours, paying special attention to how the poetry informs the realization of the melody. Students learn how to find, read, and sing troubadour melodies, and will discuss and listen to historically-informed accompaniment techniques.
Contact Alix to inquire about rates.
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