Voice Lessons

With a very prestigious clientele, Christopher has established himself as one of the New York region’s premier voice trainers. After nearly 20 years experience as a voice trainer, his clients not only include Opera and Broadway singers, but Rock, Pop, R&B, Country, Blue Grass and rap artists as well. Through close associations with exclusive New York area ENT Physicians and therapists, Mr. Cain has learned to help singers avoid vocal injury and reduce vocal tension.

An award-winning classical singer, recording artist, and studio consultant, Christopher wears many industry hats, including that of opera singer, pianist, television host/ creator and executive television producer. His most recent projects have included the television show, Voices Among Us, an industry talk show, which aired nation-wide. He is currently in network development for a new TV series involving opera and rock music. Christopher also co-created the operatic duo act, Chris & Adelmo, which had multiple performances Off-Broadway in New York City, Rome and Las Vegas. The comedy duo combined several genres from grand Opera to Rock.

A native of Phenix City, Alabama, Chris is also an accomplished pianist. His formal education is from Manhattan School of Music where he attended on vocal performance scholarship, with additional studies in Austria and Germany. He continues to study with his teacher and mentor, William D. Riley, and his wife, Dr. Linda Carroll, PhD.

Beth Callen has been playing guitar, writing songs, and singing for twelve years. With a background in piano and clarinet, and training in classical music theory, Beth brings a unique perspective to the guitar and voice. She has been a private instructor for several years, teaching vocalists and guitarists of all different ages and backgrounds. Beth received a bachelor's degree from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music in studio composition. She has performed with the Middlesex University Classical Guitar Ensemble in London, England and currently co-fronts a singer-songwriter duo, The Callen Sisters, based in NYC.

Danny began playing piano at a very young age. His ear enabled him to be able to play nearly any song he heard, without even reading music. After taking pianos lessons for twelve years Danny began to take interest in other instruments such as guitar, drums, and trumpet. All throughout middle school and high school Danny played in various rock bands, and the school jazz band. These experiences helped Danny learn how to play music along with other people. Danny attended Purchase College where he worked on his composition skills, and musicianship. He now works as a teacher at Purchase College, and Whitby Elementary School, as well as teaching private lessons. Danny has played in venues such as Irving Plaza, and the Gramercy Theater with his band Urban Fetch.

Heralded as "the kind of Despina one hopes for: diminutive, agile and with just the right clear, slender soprano voice." -(NY Times) Nina Riley performed in Cosi Fan Tutte with The Martina Arroyo Foundation. Nina has sung with Chelsea Opera, Project Opera of Manhattan, and Opera Company of Brooklyn, as well as the Center City Opera Theater, and Dell'Arte Opera, and will be a Resident Artist with the Opera Company of Brooklyn for the 2009- 2010 season. Nina has been involved in several Outreach experiences performing the role of Fifi Alsace-Lorraine from the original production of Queen Kong, as well as the role of Hope from the Musical Theater show All That Glitters. Both of these shows were shown in Public Schools around New York city to educate children about music. Nina's voice can be heard on the award winning film Cherry Bloom (2006, UVphactory, dir. Alexandre Moors) which was shown in various renowned film festivals across the U.S. Nina recieved her BM and MM at the Manhattan School of Music and has been an active teacher in the New York area for several years. She has also been a guest Artist at the Yokohama International School in Japan. Nina has been on faculty with Music in Chappaqua since January 2008 and also had the honor of performing the National Anthem for the Memorial Day Parade in Chappaqua.

Laila Maria Salins, mezzo-soprano, has enjoyed a richly diverse musical career as both a performer and teacher. She has performed with the Zurich Opera, the Latvian National Opera, Opera Factory Zurich, Connecticut Grand Opera, and the Music Theater Group of New York, as well as with numerous symphony orchestras. She is the vocal soloist of the chamber music group, "The Ecliptica Ensemble," which has been widely acclaimed for its musicianship and adventurous programming. She has given recitals in America, Canada, Germany, Latvia, Australia and England. Laila received her B.A. from New England Conservatory and her M.A. from SUNY at Stonybrook, where she was also a Voice Instructor and taught Music Theory. She has taught voice and chamber music classes at the University of Western Florida and the Summer Music Institute of Ogreh, Latvia, as well as teaching voice privately to students of all ages. She is delighted to be working at Music in Chappaqua, where she addresses the particular musical aspirations and needs of each individual student, in order to create a strong vocal technique and polish their skills as a performer. Read about Laila at ConcertoNet.com