Sonia Rodriguez Wood
Sonia Rodriguez Wood (she/her/ella), is a small but mighty Puerto Rican, Musical Theater Performer, born in Queens, New York. She grew up in South Jersey where she started learning music by singing in Church and listening to her Dad play pop music records as well as multiple instruments including but not limited to the organ. Later Sonia transplanted to Phoenix where she spent some time working as the “Traffic Diva” on 99.9 KEZ radio.
Sonia has been singing on Arizona stages for almost 30 years. She’s performed at venues all over the Valley of the Sun including AZ Broadway Theatre, Phoenix Theatre Co., Theater Works, Teatro Bravo, New Carpa Theater, Desert Stages and Hale Centre Theatre.
When she’s not teaching or on stage, she enjoys spending time camping with her husband or simply enjoying a cup of coffee in her backyard while feeding wild hummingbirds.
Education
Bachelor of Music (BM), Musical Theatre Performance, Arizona State University
Samantha Stonerock
Samantha Stonerock (she/her) is thrilled to be back in the valley of the sun and working with Authentic Voice Music Studio! She holds a BME in Choral Music Education from Northern Arizona University and a MM in Vocal Pedagogy for Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) from Shenandoah University. In addition to teaching private voice and music directing within Phoenix’s thriving theater community, Samantha also has experience teaching as a licensed K-12 music teacher within PVUSD and music directing choral ensembles across the nation.
Samantha’s approach to teaching voice is influenced by her graduate studies on the anatomical function of the singing voice, exercise physiology, motor-learning principles, and student-led learning. With a focus on creating a safe, encouraging, collaborative, (and sometimes goofy!) learning environment, Samantha believes that all singers are capable of achieving their vocal goals. She is proud to share her expertise in both classical and contemporary music with her students and actively advocates for healthy vocal production for all styles of music.
Samantha has music directed and choreographed over 40 musical theater, a cappella, and choral productions across Arizona, Nevada, and Virginia (including music directing the pilot production of 17 Again: The Musical in Las Vegas). An accomplished performer, Samantha has also appeared in over 30 theatrical productions. Notable roles: Beggar Woman (Sweeney Todd), Sarah (Company), Enid (Legally Blonde), Matilda Hyde (All Shook Up). Other professional collaborations include vocal ensembles (caroling, pop a cappella, and choral), handbell choirs, and numerous classical and contemporary solo artist endeavors.
Education
Master of Music (MM), Vocal Pedagogy- Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM), Shenandoah University
Bachelor of Music Education (BME), Northern Arizona University
Aviel Martinez-Mason
Aviel Martinez-Mason (he/him) is a vocalist from Tempe, Arizona. He has an extensive choral background, with over 12 years of experience in the Phoenix Children’s Chorus, Arizona State University’s Barrett and Gospel Choirs, as well as Christ Church of the Ascension’s church choir. In his own private vocal lessons, Aviel studies classical and musical theatre repertoire.
In addition to his experience as a singer, Aviel is an accomplished bassoonist. He has combined both of his passions by pursuing his Bachelor of Music in Bassoon Performance concurrent with an undergraduate certificate in Vocal Pedagogy. A multi-instrumentalist, he has also performed and instructed students on the double bass.
In his free time, Aviel loves to cook, play board games, and sing, especially musical theatre. He is also fluent in Spanish and loves learning languages.
Education
Bachelor of Music (BM)*, Bassoon Performance, Arizona State University
Vocal Pedagogy Certificate, Arizona State University*
*in progress
Dr. Lauren Berman
Dr. Lauren Berman (she/her) started her vocal journey at a young age, frequently singing in groups and as a soloist starting at age 5. Singing was just something that she did. It wasn’t until she was a teenager that she began auditioning and therefore began to experience rejection for the first time, which ultimately led to her first experiences with performance anxiety. Suddenly, her identity as a singer was challenged and that is when she began taking voice lessons. Through vocal study Lauren realized that her voice was something she could learn to use just like any other instrument. This epiphany started her on a path towards becoming a complete voice nerd.
While working on her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, Lauren began her teaching career and hasn’t stopped since! She became deeply passionate about helping students unlock their full potential as singers and demystifying vocal technique. As a result, she was hungry to learn and perform more which led to a Master’s Degree and ultimately a Doctorate in Vocal Performance.
Lauren loves the uniqueness of each student and enthusiastically helping them to reach their goals. She is also thrilled to work alongside other voice teachers who share her passion and commitment to helping students unlock their unique, authentic voice.
*Lauren typically has a waitlist for new student
Education
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA), Vocal Performance, Arizona State University
Master of Music (MM), Vocal Performance, Chicago College of Performing Arts
Bachelor of Music Education (BME), Loyola University New Orleans