River W.

Singer-songwriter and musical theater composer who believes music is for everyone.

Teaches at Collingswood
In studio or online

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“Music is for everyone, and I hope to help people find that in themselves for a long time!”

About River

Hi, I’m River! I teach voice, guitar, piano and ukulele. I graduated from the University of the Arts with a BFA in Musical Theatre, where I studied many vocal styles, acting styles, music skills, and play and song writing. That kickstarted my love of composing larger works.

Since graduating I’ve recorded a concept album for a musical I wrote, Ghost Town: The Musical, which was released as part of the 2021 Philadelphia Fringe Festival, and presented a staged reading of it at the Polyphone Festival of New and Emerging Musicals. I’ve sung on other composers’ concept albums, helped develop new musicals, released a co-written single, scored a few short films, and I gig around Philly and South Jersey.

Sharing my love of music with someone and setting them up on their own musical journey brings me so much joy.

What River teaches

Voice
Piano
Guitar
Ukulele

Lessons in studio at Collingswood or online.

Has tried bass, drums, mandolin and violin, and is a true beginner at all of them.

Get to know River

How I got started

I’ve been singing since I could make sounds! Singing was my first love, inspired by Kelly Clarkson and singing along to the car radio. I started songwriting at 7 and musical theater at 11, then picked up instruments at 13 so I could play covers. Before long I was writing songs on those instruments, too.

What I love to play

That’s a tough one! I love folk music with fun fingerpicking patterns, and rock because of how I get to use my voice. I like exploring as many styles as I can.

My advice for beginners

Take progress videos of yourself often. If you keep up a good practice routine and record near-weekly videos, at the end of your first year you’ll be so happy to see how far you’ve come, and that will keep you motivated.

A favorite teaching moment

I love when a student realizes that something that used to be really hard is now a lot easier. It’s so exciting, and I love when it happens in a lesson so I can celebrate their hard work with them.

An obstacle I overcame

I’m a perfectionist, and it used to get in the way of practicing and writing because I was afraid of not being perfect. I started focusing on how happy music makes me feel. That joy always outweighs the false promise of perfection, and I’d rather practice imperfectly than not practice at all.