Teaching Subjects: Voice & Piano
Styles:Musical Theater/Belt, Opera, Classical, Pop, Rock, & more!
Ages: 11+ (Voice) ; 8+ (Piano)
Specialties: Vocal Health, Acting, Music Theory, Coloratura Technique, German & Italian Language, Navigating Voice Changes
Coloratura soprano Rick Hoops [they/them] specializes in teaching universally healthy vocal techniques to singers working in any genre. Rick holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from Saint Olaf College and is currently working on their Master of Professional Studies in Arts & Cultural Leadership at the University of Minnesota (UMN). They also just received their Certificate in Equity & Diversity from UMN.
Rick has performed across the country with the Saint Olaf Choir, and has sung on stages in Italy, Japan, and South Korea. They have also performed regularly with Journey North Opera Company since the summer of 2019. Rick has performed as Adele in Die Fledermaus, Gilda in Rigoletto, Suzanna in Le nozze di Figaro, Musetta in La boheme, Meredith Parker in Bat Boy, Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret, and has many other performance credits across three continents.
In addition to solo and choral voice performance, Rick also has experience as a music director for youth-oriented performance programs at Minnesota Opera and Young Artists Initiative.
Rick has maintained their studio for the past four years and has supported students to achieve their goals healthily and efficiently. From music theory foundations to advanced vocal techniques, they can help you get where you want to be!
Rick works diligently to foster a supportive environment that allows students to feel safe, comfortable, and free to take risks. Improving your singing can be intimidating, but Rick breaks things down into approachable topics so you can make progress at a healthy pace. They focus on two main pillars in singing: breath and structure. With these as a focus, they can approach almost any style with strong technical skills, free vocal production, and impactful acting choices.
Rick highlights social-emotional learning and encourages students to bring their authentic selves into the studio–no fear here, just lots of fun while working hard!
Single Lessons:
30 min. – $30
45 min. – $40
60 min. – $55
Packages of 4 Lessons:
30 min. – $110
45 min. – $150
60 min. – $190
Studio Policies:
Payment must be made in advance or at the time of the lesson.
Cancellations or no-shows within 24 hours will be charged. With more than 24 hours’ notice, lessons can be rescheduled.
Some weekday availability, Saturday afternoons, Sunday mornings
Availability may expand, so please ask Rick about scheduling.
