“I have had the professional and personal pleasure of performing with Monica Norcia in Marin musical productions.

Now, some years later, my 12 year old grand-daughter, reaching for the experience of performing with a musical theatre company, began singing lessons with Monica on a weekly basis.

Monica’s gentle, warm, yet musically solid approach to teaching a youngster, encouraged and endeared my grand-daughter to the joy of singing and performing. ”

Deidre G

“For many years post childhood, I was very reluctant to sing solo in pubic, even though people would say, “You have a nice voice.” The reason: a brutal dictator of a choral director from high school who made me feel ashamed of my less-than-perfect voice. But I’ve always had a song in my heart and great relationship with lullabies and babies.

Finally, in my “mature years,” I decided enough with the shame and enlisted my dear friend and musical theater collaborator Monica Norcia for voice lessons. Monica’s brightness, cheer and encouragement made all the difference. She helped me understand my voice as a physical instrument, what it can do and how I can use my whole body to support my singing.

Terrified but determined I tackled my first recital and lo and behold, I lived through it and found my public voice once again. Second year recital: I faltered but carried on and found out how to stumble, fall and get back up again. Third year: I somehow landed the role of Golde in “Fiddler on the Roof.” This experience was one of the highlights of my adult life.

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Monica for her teaching style, technique, encouragement and unwavering commitment to ANY voice, no matter its quality or range. My song isn’t just in my heart anymore, which is good, because now there’s more room in there for Monica.”

Kim B., San Rafael

“Words cannot express how grateful I am to have Monica as a voice  teacher. In addition to dramatically improving my vocal technique, she has provided me with tools to reduce performance anxiety.

Monica is very intuitive and approaches music and teaching holistically. She addresses the physical, psychological and emotional aspects of singing and performance. She customizes every lesson to work on issues as they arise. I have really benefitted from the Alexander Technique and have applied it to improve my singing, guitar playing, and bass playing.

Monica is a truly gifted teacher. I highly recommend her to anyone wanting to improve vocal technique for singing or speaking,  gain confidence performing and to find more freedom and fluidity while playing an instrument.”

Karen W., San Rafael

“It has been a pleasure to work with Monica in our musical theater program. Not only is she kind and patient with everyone, but she really TEACHES the kids! It is exciting to see them not just learn the song, but how to sing it.”

Susan P., director, YES Theater

“Monica Norcia has been my voice teacher, voice coach and musical theater director for over 13 years. She has guided me through all of the musical theater and opera auditions as well has helping me with interpretation of the many characters I have played.

As an aging singer, I began to struggle with difficulties in voice production such as breath control, tension and anxiety. It was Monica who introduced me to the Alexander Technique and philosophy as a way of overcoming habitual patterns that interfered with the freedom of vocal production.”

Gina M., Berkeley

“I have been taking voice lessons from Monica for a number of years. Her training has improved both the ease and quality of my singing voice immensely.

I have experienced both an improvement in range and intonation thanks to her wonderful lessons. She has my highest recommendation.”

Tim C.

“Monica is a talented artist and an amazing educator, I have found It is rare to find these two things simultaneously. She makes the students feel completely at ease in their voices and understands how to help them through emotional and technical stumbling blocks.

A generous collaborator, I could depend on Monica not to get derailed by edits, technical difficulties and reworkings of the musical portions of the performance and and to keep an eye on a cohesive vision of the play. It was my complete privilege and joy to work with her.”

Amy S., Tamalpais High School Drama Director/Instructor

“Working with Monica is truly delightful. She has been involved with a variety of plays at CTE/TAM Drama that utilized music and singing. By necessity, she works with students at all levels of experience and skill. At all times, she is professional, capable and creative in her work in a variety of music styles.

With adults, Monica’s ability to collaborate with the director to bring out the best in everyone involved is done with such polish and ease that it is masterfully executed. Her pleasant, upbeat personality is nicely balanced with a sense of discipline and organization. So much gets accomplished!! Our students love working with her and our directors do too.”

Susan B., Tamalpais High School drama Instructor/Director, Mill Valley

“My daughter loves learning from you—and feels so lucky to have you as her mentor. She is thrilled with your knowledge of musical theater and your great audition song ideas and tells me how pleased she is to be learning technique from you.

She said she sometimes feels like she is getting opera training, and she loves it. I just want you to know how much we both appreciate you. THANK YOU!”

Kaitlin Q, Mill Valley