The Voice Studio of Eugenia Dermentzis
Singer's Equation:
Healthy Mind + Healthy Body + Healthy Spirit = Happy Singer!
Studio Singing Philosophy
It has always been one of my core beliefs that we as human beings are all innately and uniquely creative individuals. As an artist and educator, I have discovered that how we come to express and share our creativity is one of life's most precious endeavours. In the voice studio, I am as much an educator as a facilitator of the creative process. I believe that it is my duty to help foster complete and whole individuals, and to build resilience within my students by cultivating a healthy mind, body, and spirit that will flourish in an ever-changing world. I bring this mindset into my voice studio whether I am teaching a student of 6 or 60. As a facilitator, I see potential in all of my students as we work together not only on singing technique, performance, musicality, artistry, and musicianship, but also on building and maintaining a positive mindset.
The cliché rings true; music is indeed the universal language. Consequently, if I can provide my students with the tools to skillfully express themselves through this medium, I feel that I am passing on a creative gift that perpetually gives, and that has the ability to impact both society and the individual. As a voice teacher, my focus rests on the singer as a whole, and not just the voice. Therefore, the learning process that we share should have a positive and enduring impact on mind, body, and spirit. I strive to help foster dynamic and complete artists. Consequently, I encourage my students to explore their voice in ways that excite and encourage them. By providing my students with a solid fundamental vocal technique, they are afforded the tools necessary to sing in whatever genre they so please, in the most vocally healthy fashion (classical, jazz, music theatre, etc.). As the old Italian Bel Canto adage “prima la voce” (the voice first) states; we put vocal health and technique at the forefront of our practice, and with a growth mindset and continued practice, all else will fall into place.
About your Teacher
Praised for her supple and lustrous voice, Eugenia Dermentzis has been hailed as “[…] a mezzo-soprano to watch, clear of voice with a hearty sound in development.” (Opera Canada) She began her training in the performing arts at a young age as a dancer, and since then has developed a great affection for the stage. With a Bachelor of Education (Music: Vocal), her passion for the arts manifests itself in her career, not only as a performer, but also as a music educator. Eugenia enjoys teaching private voice lessons, and has delivered several vocal performance masterclasses in the vocal music programme at Westmount Collegiate Institute. Furthermore, having graduated with a Masters of Music in Voice Literature and Performance at The University of Western Ontario, Eugenia has since been performing in and around Toronto, across Canada, and in Europe. During her Masters at The University of Western Ontario, she held a position as teaching assistant for the Vocal Methods course.
Eugenia trained as a Britten-Pears young artist in the French Grand Opera and Mélodie Masterclass Programme. In this programme she had the honour of studying with Natalie Dessay, Laurent Naouri, and Roger Vignoles. Most recently, she sang the role of Queen in FETE GALANTE with Opera Five, and Madame Defarge in the World premier of Victor Davie's A TALE OF TWO CITIES. Her current roles include Orfeo in Gluck's ORFEO ED EURIDICE, and Augusta Tabor in THE BALLAD OF BABY DOE with Opera by Request, Penelope in IL RITORNO D'ULISSE with Accademia Europea de L’Opera, and the title role in CARMEN with Halifax Summer Opera Workshop.
Apart from her experience in opera, Eugenia enjoys and regularly performs in operettas. She was most recently seen performing the role of Aurelia in THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER, and Edith in THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE with Toronto Operetta Theatre. Eugenia was thrilled to be invited to sing the role of Elizabeth Simcoe in the Canadian premier of John Beckwith's TAPTOO, and role of Mariana in the zarzuela LUISA FERNANDA to high acclaim. She has been a featured soloist in Toronto Operetta Theatre’s “Gilbert and Sullivan Extravaganza,” and “Vienna Gold Gala,” and sang the role of Enrichetta di Francia in I PURITANI for Opera in Concert. Other roles and performance experience include: Carmen in CARMEN (Summer Opera Lyric Theatre), Sorceress in Opera on the Avalon’s production of DIDO AND AENEAS, Carmen (cover) in CARMEN (Pellegrini Opera), Lapàk in THE CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN (Banff Opera as Theatre), Dritte Dame in DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE (Opera Nuova), Alto Soloist for Vivaldi’s GLORIA (Orchestra London), La Zia Principessa in SUOR ANGELICA (UWOpera), and Nicklausse in THE TALES OF HOFFMANN (Summer Opera Lyric Theatre).
In 2012, Eugenia was chosen as a “Jeune Ambassadeur Lyrique,” and went on to represent Canada at the 24e Concours International de Chant de Marmande in which she became a finalist. During her Master’s at UWO, Ms. Dermentzis received the London Opera Guild Scholarship, and was a finalist in the London Music Scholarship Fund competition. She is also a winner and finalist of the National Association of Teachers of Singing Student Auditions.
Practice, Commitment, and Vocal Health
Your voice is your own unique instrument. It is part of your fabric; part of what makes you original and different. We are only granted one voice, and it is our responsibility to respect our instrument. I've always viewed great singers not only as artists, but as athletes. Your voice is a muscle that requires special care, attention, and training in order to grow and flourish. This requires commitment to a daily practice regime, and vocal health (we will speak more of this during our lessons). What you put into your practice regime, you will get out of your lessons. Coming to lessons prepared, practiced, and rehearsed will increase your vocal potential causing you to get more out of your lesson. Proper vocal hygiene and rest will also contribute to a positive lesson experience. Please hydrate and care for your voice through rest and proper use. Most importantly, I ask that all of my students enter their lessons with a positive growth mindset. We can only expect to grow if we are nourishing ourselves with positive thoughts and affirmations.
Studio Rates and Policy
In home and in studio rates are available upon request.
**Both in-person and online lesson options are now available.
Cancellation
In case of cancellation, 24 hours notice is required. Please contact me at (416) 908-5975, or via email at ederment@gmail.com. Lessons cancelled after the 24 hour mark, or “no-shows”, will not be rescheduled.
*Please note that as an active musician, I may request to reschedule your lesson to accommodate upcoming performances or auditions. This would be done well in advance of your scheduled lesson time. While I do prioritize my students and studio, it is not always possible to reschedule performances or auditions. I view this as professional development. That which I am learning and developing in the field, I bring directly into the studio to help cultivate my students. I truly appreciate your support and understanding.