Our Testimonials
Katherine Allen, Soprano
(Australia - UK)
My two sessions with Natalia were incredibly helpful! She clearly explained the basics of Russian diction and phonetics, which gave me the important tools needed to learn my pieces. I was given the music with the Russian, an English translation, AND the phonetics! It was so valuable to sound out the language with her and to really get a grip on the basic sounds of the Russian language. I would highly recommend Natalia's diction coaching to anyone learning to sing in Russian
Tanja Ariane Baumgartner,
Mezzo-Soprano
(Germany)
Recommended by one of my students, I asked Natalia to help with four Tschaikowsky songs! Natalia is amazing, the material she is providing ( ipa, translation, word by word and other) piano accompaniment (with and without vocal line) is outstanding! I can warmly recommend her to every professionel singer (or student) who wants to dig deeper in the Russian repertoire. I will definetely work again with her in the future!
www.tanjaarianebaumgartner.com
Here are some reviews from our beautiful singers...
Natali Bogosian, Mezzo-Soprano
(The Netherlands)
I'm an opera singer and I needed the full song pack of this aria, which they prepared in such a short time. It is GORGEOUS! Both the mp3 files - including accompaniment and spoken pronunciation - and the sheet music with transliteration and translation are perfect! The full pack totally prepared me and when I sang it to my Russian vocal coach, she was really amazed! And I must say that their service is really reasonable for this quality! I'll ask for more! Thank you soooo much.
Andrea Quaglia, Soprano
(Australia)
Before discovering this program I found the idea of singing in Russian rather daunting! I was surprised at how easy it was to master with the expert guidance and support of a native Russian speaker who is also a professional singer and teacher.
After only a few coaching sessions with Natalia, I was able to perform two songs at a concert attended by Russians who complimented my diction!
I would highly recommend Russian for Singers for anyone who would like to give singing in Russian a try, whether you're just starting out, or want to take it to a professional level.
Thanks, Natalia for your encouragement and enthusiasm - you are excellent at what you do!
Dr. Ginger Beazley, Artistic Director and Vocal Instructor
Ars Nova School of the Arts
(USA)
I am a vocal teacher of currently 17 students at Ars Nova School of the Arts and recently we began a
journey in Russian diction and vocal literature. Although I had previously performed a set of
Rachmaninoff in recital, I began to search the internet for Resources that would allow us to be
comfortable and accurate with this amazing music and language. Finding several, I was drawn to
Natalia's site because of the comprehensive approach, including a singer's awareness and background.
We are currently in rehearsal preparing a “Night in Russia” event. The evening will begin with a
recital of art songs by Rchmaninoff and Tchaikovskying and culminate with a condensed version of
Rimsky-Korsakov's Snowmaiden. We now have full packs of every piece of music we are preparing
and the delight and confidence of the singers is amazing. Each week I am watching singing artists
falling in love with this amazing music because they have tools which allow them to understand and
enjoy the process. Thank you, Natalia. You are a treasure and we are gratgeful that you have become
an important part of our journey.
Pamela Andrews, Soprano
(Australia)
Natalia is a very generous and supportive coach who takes the time in coachings to ensure that you understand how the Russian diction works. She is incredibly passionate about the relationship between the text and the music, and gives you a greater understanding of not only the beauty of the words you're singing, but the richness of the musical structure and the history of the composer as well. Natalia finds ways to simplify pronunciation problems for you so that Russian-born and native speakers of Russian come up to you after concerts to compliment you on your Russian song performances! I have performed many Russian pieces with Natalia's guidance, and feel confident to tackle many more now that she has given me the tools to unlock this mysterious and beautiful language.
Ian Warwick, Baritone
(Australia)
Natalia Melnik is a wealth of knowledge on Russian language, culture and classical Russian music. It was a great privilege being able to work with her in preparation for our most recent Russian concert at the Sydney Conservatorium. Natalia was a great aid in helping me prepare the repertoire I sang, specifically focus on the beauty of Russian soft consonants and sounds that don't of course exist in the English language, foreign to a primarily English speaking singer.
Tess McCarty, Mezzo-Soprano
(USA)
I could not ask for a better Russian diction coach than Natalia. She goes above and beyond to make singing Russian accessible. Not only is her knowledge of Russian diction and Russian music truly incredible, she was willing to transpose the pieces I needed into lower keys and provided me with audio and piano tracks. She did this at no extra cost but just so I could learn and perform the music better. After scouring the internet, I cannot find a better wealth of information than Natalia. I can not recommend her enough
Anna Neese, Soprano
(USA)
Working with Natalia has been an answer to so many prayers! I would not have been able to prepare Rimsky-Korsakov’s Snow Maiden without her. She has coached me through the role of Snow Maiden and has been a fountain of knowledge. From her, I have learned exactly how to make the proper Russian consonants and vowels, which can be incredibly tricky for an English speaker. The authenticity of Russian history, diction, and language she brings to each lesson is superb. She pays attention to very small details in each Russian word to help you pronounce it like a native Russian singer. This has built my confidence to be able to perform Russian without fear!
Jeremy Boulton, Baritone
(Australia)
Natalia is an expert Russian diction coach. There is nothing like having a native speaker in your corner to navigate the challenging and demanding repertoire of Tchaikovsky and others. I will continue to consult Natalia in the future when I encounter more Russian repertoire, no matter where I am in the world.
Suzi Stengel, Lyric Soprano
(Australia)
I have experienced working with several language coaches over the years, but none as organized and thorough as Natalia Melnik. Her passion for Russian music is contagious and her dedication to sharing this music is evidenced in how much research and preparation goes into each piece you work with her. As a diction coach she is both patient and gracious, but as a musician she understands the execution of language on a much deeper level.
I highly recommend you find an excuse to work on a Russian song just so that you can have an opportunity to work with her.
Paul McLeod, Tenor
(Australia)
Every singer owes it to their art to engage with Russian vocal music. Unless you grow up with the language, you really can only do this with the help of a dedicated expert.
The Russian language is widely regarded as difficult to grasp and elusive to perfect. Over the years, I've tried many approaches to my Russian rep, and this is by far the surest, most methodical. I've worked with Specialists in Berlin, Paris and Sydney.
Natalia is without a doubt the standout.
Russian 4 Singers arms you with unique approaches, and many types of learning tools specific to the domain and repertoire. These give you redundant reinforcement of the correct delivery, and provide exceptional clarity whatever mix of learning styles is most effective for you. Natalia's zealous enthusiasm, and patience is a real motivator for the (yes) hard work.
Natalia cares about your success. This service is the 'real deal' and I cannot think of a smarter way to explore this very rewarding territory. With Russian 4 Singers. you'll be best equipped to master some of the most magical vocal artworks with confidence, and attain the crisp, certain delivery modern audiences expect.
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Darren Templeton, Bass-baritone
(USA)
What an amazing opportunity to have first hand direct coaching in the Russian language. Not only the diction but truly understanding the subtle nuances and importance of the beautiful Russian language.
I received amazing assistance for the role of Prince Gremin in Eugene Onegin and for my upcoming Masters in Voice recital with Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov songs.
The entire song pack for each song was a tremendous benefit to finetune every aspect of the diction and song. Thank you Natalia!
www.darrentempleton.com
Natalia Melnik, Russian for Singers
founder and diction coach
It is my great pleasure to help singers all over the world to explore and master Russian opera and art song repertoire. I am always happy to answer questions or provide some repertoire suggestions, so please do not hesitate to contact me.
To book Russian diction coaching please fill out the form on the 'Coaching' page and I will reply to your request shortly.
Thank you!