Jack O'Leary

Teaches Voice

About Jack

Jack O’Leary (he/him) is a classically trained baritone and voice teacher who is ecstatic to be teaching at CSM. Jack grew up in Havertown, PA where he performed lead roles in musicals at Haverford High School and Upper Darby Summer Stage in addition to singing in 9 PMEA Choral Festivals advancing to the All-State festivals every year. After high school, Jack studied at the Eastman School of Music where he recently graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance studying with soprano Kiera Duffy. Outside of Eastman, he studied and performed as a young artist at SongFest in San Francisco and at the Chautauqua Opera Conservatory. Jack performed principal roles in many genres including contemporary atonal operas, classical romantic operas, golden age musicals, and modern musicals. These experiences not only sharpened Jack’s artistry but also deepened his understanding of vocal expression and storytelling, which he greatly emphasizes in his teaching.

 

Jack has been teaching music since his sophomore year of high school as the assistant music director for school musicals and choirs. He music directed for 2 years at Upper Darby Summer Stage and worked as a volunteer voice teacher for Through the Staff, a program that provides free voice lessons to underprivileged students. Jack has a deep understanding of vocal pedagogy, breathwork, and bodywork. He uses a versatile approach to teaching voice, blending anatomical, physiological, and metaphorical methods to cultivate a strong foundation in technique across various musical styles. Whether it's classical, musical theatre, or contemporary, Jack believes in empowering students with evidence-based vocal techniques for healthy and effortless singing. His training in Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais, coupled with extensive study of vocal pedagogy literature, enriches his teaching with a holistic understanding of the voice-body connection.

Teaching and performing music are the driving forces behind Jack’s career, and he is committed to instilling a lifelong love of singing in his students.

Jack O'Leary
What is a musical obstacle that you remember overcoming? How did you overcome it?
I was extremely stressed for my senior recital; I chose quite difficult repertoire that I felt like I wasn't singing as well as I should no matter how hard I tried to. I had to step back from what I thought I should be doing and really ask myself why I thought my singing did not sound or feel good. Then, I really simplified it down to a few core things and just worked with my voice and body to figure out why I was doing something that wasn't helping me and tried doing the polar opposite to fix it. It ended up being extremely helpful and once again, made me realize that I am my own teacher, and I am in control of my voice and technique as long as I keep an open mind and an open ear.
What style(s) of music do you like to play the most? Why?
My favorite style of classical music is romantic because of how lush and expressive it is. I love composers from the late 19th into early 20th centuries like Puccini, Ravel, Strauss. For musical theatre, my favorite composers are Sondheim, Jason Robert Brown, and Adam Guettel. I love composers who create a musical and emotional landscape in their pieces, and those 3 are geniuses when it comes to telling a story through song.
What other instruments, aside from the ones you teach, have you played before?
I played saxophone and took lessons for about 5 years, piano for 7 years, cello for 1 year, and a few other miscellaneous instruments for fun.
When did you start playing music, what brought you to it?
I started playing piano when I was 7 years old because my older sister took piano lessons. My grandparents gave my mother their upright piano, so my parents urged my sister and I to take lessons when we were old enough and to participate in school choirs.
What are some musical goals you hope to achieve in the future?
I hope to perform opera and musical theatre at a professional level and teach students who want to have a career in singing opera or musical theatre.
What are some of your favorite teaching moments?
I just love when someone says, "that was so much easier," or "I didn't know it could feel this easy."
What advice could you give to someone who has just begun learning music?
Find what you love about it, and learn why you love it. It's great to understand your specified interests as well as broadening your horizons to new styles. Also, don't be afraid to try everything your teacher tells you, but remember, you are your own teacher and you have control over your musical destiny.