Testimonials

“Elizabeth’s pleasant, low-key personality, her considerable vocal and instrumental talents, combined with her deep knowledge of music, are matched by her ability to connect with young people and to present materials in a clear and easily understood manner. I have found her to be not only personable, but also professional and reliable. She has delighted in sharing her passion for jazz with young students and has contributed immeasurably to the success of our residency program.” - Dedi Firestone, Director, Arts Education, Kupferberg Center for the Performing Arts, Queens College, NYC

“We have been around for 27 years. This is one of the best guest artists we have had!  She invested every single second on campus in building community. Everyone raved! Elizabeth is the best of the best and we plan to have her back again.”  — Kentucky Center Governor’s School for the Arts Director Carrie Nath

“Besides being a wonderful trombone player, she is a master teacher and ultimate professional. It is always a treat for my students and me to be able to work with her.” – Walter K. Birkhold, NYC High School Music Coordinator

“Sweet, clear and informative, fun, and great with the kids.” – Rob Diefenbach, Middle School Teacher, NYC

• “Some of my female students were so impressed by her leadership and her performance on the trombone, that they asked if they could switch their instruments to the trombone.” – G. O. Akindeinde, NYC High School Band Director

Philosophy

I believe that everyone can be musical, and that music is a powerful tool for building confidence and developing imagination for all of life’s situations!

I focus on the emotional aspects of musicality – storytelling, conversations, and expression. Just as important as playing or singing the “right” notes is playing them at the right volume, with the right feeling, and with awareness of the other musicians around you. I believe in listening, in singing, and in eye contact. I believe in body movement, and in silence within music. I believe in the instructive power of fun and teamwork, and achieve both through a combination of technical and expressive instruction.

BIO

Elizabeth Frascoia is a dedicated teacher, committed to helping students gain greater confidence in their lives through music. Since 2005, she has worked with over 10,000 students, ages 5 to 70, both individually and in groups as large as 800 rowdy inner-city high school students. Her favorite topics include improvisation, storytelling, stage presence, jazz history, and band/choir critiques.

She is a regular clinician with the Kupferberg Center of Queens College, and is on the faculty of MUSICWORKS for their programs in NYC and Ecuador. She also teaches private lessons in voice, trombone, and songwriting in person and via Skype, and is on the faculty at the Hollywood Academy of Music in Los Angeles.

Based in New York City and Los Angeles, she has developed a rich career as a freelance vocalist and trombonist, traveling the world with such acts as Michael Bolton, St. Vincent, and Matt Wilson, and appearing on American Idol, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and Good Morning America. She is originally from Vermont, and is the Director of the Vermont Governor’s Institute on the Arts, an intensive 2-week summer program for 130 interested high school students in a range of artistic disciplines. She has also consulted for Fortune 500 companies with Leadership Technologies.

Elizabeth holds a BA in Psychology from Harvard University, and an MA in Jazz Vocal Performance from Queens College. She is an endorsing artist for Getzen 3508R Custom trombones, a member of the Jazz Education Network, and wears sequins as often as possible!

Customization

I love working with musicians and non-musicians. You don’t have to have a band program or choir program in place to work with me. Arts education has been cut in so many places, and I am happy to jump in to help out you and/or your students with a package or presentation tailored just for you! No instruments? We can make it work!

• Workshops for musicians

• Group lessons

• Individual coaching

• Guest performer with your band

• Concert of my music

• Lectures/workshops for non-musicians

Appropriate presentations for elementary, middle, and high schools, colleges, community centers, libraries…. or a fun alternative to Powerpoint-filled speeches at your next conference! I’m based in NYC and LA, but travel frequently. Let’s talk about what you’re looking for!

TOPICS

FOR MUSICIANS

• Having a conversation: how to improvise

• Learning the blues: telling a story

• Ensemble playing: repertoire development and refinement

• Sectional playing: technique and blend (specializing in brass, choirs)

• Put it in your body: singing and dancing

• Why practicing isn’t enough: practical music business tips for making a living

• Individual coaching in singing, brass playing, improvising, and performance

FOR MUSICIANS AND NON-MUSICIANS

• Chicas in charge: leadership skills for girls

• Women in jazz: role models for a generation

• How to listen to music

• Jazz history in 4 songs

• Having a conversation: how to improvise

• Learning the blues: telling a story

FOR NON-MUSICIANS

• Anyone can sing the blues!

• Accessing your creativity through improvisation

• Performance coaching for upcoming events (speeches, presentations, etc.)