Chrissellene G. Petropoulos
Performer, Vocal Technician, Confidence Coach, Author
Chrissellene G. Petropoulos launched her career in Europe in 1980 with The Vienna State Opera, Austria. While at the Vienna State Opera she was chosen by Leonard Bernstein to be in his world premier of Bernstein's Mass. She continued her career throughout European giving concerts and performing with the Kassel State Opera, Germany.
In addition she has performed in musical theater, classical concerts and recitals in United States, including the Lincoln Center in New York, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Ms. Petropoulos has performed for presidents, diplomats — and even Bob Hope.
Ms. Petropoulos has met with success not only on stage, but on television and radio in Europe and America. Possessing a personality that communicates with rare artistry, she has been praised by Leonard Bernstein, Walter Legge, Luciano Pavarotti, Rosa Ponselle, Bidu Sayao, and Elisabeth Schwarzkopf.
Her accomplishments can be found in the United States Congressional Record.
In addition to performing, she teaches privately in her studio and online, gives group lessons, master classes and workshops, based on confidence (Performance Mode) and The Technical Commands™ system for breathing and vocal strengthening.
Her work on Performance Mode been featured and praised in the book The Confidence Code by New York Times best selling authors Katty Kay and Claire Shipman.
Education
Ms. Petropoulos holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland, a Masters Certificate from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and an Artist Diploma (Doctorate in Performance), from the Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute. She has pursued postgraduate studies at Indiana University and is certified in Commercial Contemporary Music. Ms. Petropoulos taught as an adjunct professor at the Peabody Institute, Shenandoah Conservatory and the Catholic University of America.
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Why does my voice go hoarse?You are speaking or singing at a loud volume with a closed throat and no air flowing through the vocal cords/folds
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Why does my voice crack?You are blocking the air flow to the vocal folds due to a closed throat or a palate down or tongue too far back.
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Why should I NOT 'mark' my voice?You are causing the muscles to constrict. You are preventing the vocal folds from comign together. Whispering is the enemy.
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Why do I sound nasally?You are inhaling through your nose and keeping your soft palate, uvula, and pharyngeal areas down.
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Why can't I sing high notes?You need to learn how to use all commands and the cricothyroid tilt (CT) that stretches the vocal folds for achieving upper ranges.
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How do I project my voice?You need to learn how to use all the Commands, including the thyroarytenoid (TA) to lean for low notes.
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Why can't I sustain a phrase?You need to learn how to inhale in all six areas and exhale properly in order to control the air flow.
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Why do I feel a choking sensation when I talk or sing?Your throat is closed. Or your tongue is sliding backward pressing on the larynx.
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What if I don't see my question above?Feel free to ask Chrissellene directly! You can ask her questions at facebook.com/chrissellenesings
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Why does my voice go hoarse?You are speaking or singing at a loud volume with a closed throat and no air flowing through the vocal cords/folds
-
Why does my voice crack?You are blocking the air flow to the vocal folds due to a closed throat or a palate down or tongue too far back.
-
Why should I NOT 'mark' my voice?You are causing the muscles to constrict. You are preventing the vocal folds from comign together. Whispering is the enemy.
-
Why do I sound nasally?You are inhaling through your nose and keeping your soft palate, uvula, and pharyngeal areas down.
-
Why can't I sing high notes?You need to learn how to use all commands and the cricothyroid tilt (CT) that stretches the vocal folds for achieving upper ranges.
-
How do I project my voice?You need to learn how to use all the Commands, including the thyroarytenoid (TA) to lean for low notes.
-
Why can't I sustain a phrase?You need to learn how to inhale in all six areas and exhale properly in order to control the air flow.
-
Why do I feel a choking sensation when I talk or sing?Your throat is closed. Or your tongue is sliding backward pressing on the larynx.
-
What if I don't see my question above?Feel free to ask Chrissellene directly! You can ask her questions at facebook.com/chrissellenesings
Community Involvement & Leadership
Ms. Petropoulos is an active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Music Teachers National Association, Sigma Alpha Iota and the Friday Morning Music Club of Washington D.C. Ms. Petropoulos has served as a board member for the Montgomery County Arts Council, Educational Arts Cable 57 TV and Potomac Community Theatre. Ms. Petropoulos has received honors and awards including Woman of the Year. Former Maryland Senator Charles “Mac” Mathias entered her achievements into the Congressional Record.
Petropoulos was an adjunct professor at the Shenandoah Conservatory and the Catholic University of America.
We 'traveling artists' must sacrifice our personal lives for our career.
This tape is a Merry Christmas gift to my Mom and Dad while I was preparing for performances.
-Chrissellene