Testimonials
Reviews
“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.”
“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.”
“A Little Night Music” demands actors who can sing and singers who can act. The songs are full of sharps and flats and dissonant harmonies and lyrics that require precise articulation. (Kim) Bromley has assembled a first-rate cast that handles it all exceedingly well…Monica Norcia, who frequently serves as music director at Bay Area theaters, underplays her character in a way that emphasizes the haughty Charlotte’s pampered boredom. In her singing parts, Norcia reins in her soaring operatic soprano, keeping the lid on it as a drawing-room mezzo.”
“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. “
“I highly recommend Monica to anyone interested in working to develop his or her vocal instrument. She will constantly challenge you, but do so with consummate patience; there is no oxymoron when I describe her ‘gentle firmness.’
Her bottomless store of knowledge of vocal technique, her open-hearted style and her passion for music and performing have helped me to gradually hone my voice as a musical instrument; and her inclusion of the Alexander Technique has also helped greatly in tuning my body as the container for that instrument. I could not have done this without her ability to continually tailor her instruction to my way of functioning and being.
I happened to strike gold when I was looking for a voice teacher and found her years ago!”
“It’s Monica and Norcia and Linda Ward, as the head-bobbing, tittering Gwendolyn and Cecily (Simons’ tip of the hat to Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest”) who provide the second act’s comic crescendo. They bring an almost musical quality to the cooing Piegon sisters, especially Norcia.”
“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 [showhide type=”links1″ more_text=”Read More…” less_text=”Close”] 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.” [/showhide]
“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. [showhide type=”links2″ more_text=”Read More…” less_text=”Close”]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.”[/showhide]
“The role of Amalia (in “She Loves Me”) is usually cast with a 20-something rue, and is played accordingly. Monica Norcia plays an Amalia who is somewhat older, closer to Norcia’s own age. This throws all kinds of new shadings onto the role. For example, when she sings “Will He Like Me?” it is not sung by a young girl, nervous about a first date, but as a beautiful woman, fully grown, who fears that beauty has faded.
This takes acting chops – and who knew? Norcia, who teaches voice in Marin, has an old-fashioned classical vibrato that reminded me of Snow White. Although a veteran of past NTC productions, it was mostly as musical director (“Most Happy Fella,” “Sound of Music,” “The Fantasticks”) and only recently made the hop from the orchestra pit to the stage as one of the Pigeon sisters in “The Odd Couple.” And then you couldn’t really tell.
But when Norcia sings the stuffing out of “Will He Like Me?” a sweet, torchy show-stopper if there ever was one…all wonderings cease. That was a soliloquy and as good an acting job as I’ve seen in community theater.”