TENOR . PROFESSOR . ADJUDICATOR . PIANIST . MASTERCLASS TEACHER
From Derek Barnes - London, England
![]() “Douglas is an expert in voice and an accomplished performer and educator with across the board skills that go into composing and musical direction. An entrepreneur and a facilitator.”
From Judy McKnight ~ QRMF Adjudicator Liason
![]() "Douglas was an excellent teacher and a fantastic coach for students competing in the Quinte Rotary Music Festival Voice Competitions. He taught the skills and vocal technique that greatly helped to improve the performance of their chosen pieces. Many students, parents, and local teachers praised his work during the week, and have asked to have him come back again to adjudicate our festival. Our committee would highly recommend him to any festival that is looking for a highly qualified, friendly, approachable, flexible adjudicator, who will leave the participants eager to continue in their musical studies and strive for more excellence."
From Dr. Markus Ernsting - Toronto, Canada
![]() "Singing well is based on sensations for vocalist and detected by the listener, teacher and audience. While a good voice sounds free and easily created when the organ of breathing and organ of singing work in synergy together, it is clearly a matter of technical specificity. The experience of working with Douglas to train and test these fine physical reflexes is intriguing: He both hears and captures the underlying physical organic physiological approach, and fluidly iterates the training to target the technique. His diagnostic ear and knowledge coupled with his technical and pedagogical clarity combines with a complete understanding of musicality and various genres from the vocal repertoire. There are no short cuts to developing a true vocal technique, but his approach is one of steady and consistent analysis and progression which is itself entirely rewarding. Apart from training in his studio, I am fortunate to be putting my singing skills to practice in The Velvet Curtain Ensemble and other musical arenas where technical and musical proficiency is demanded."
From Michael Totzke
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From Llywelyn Golesworthy - Hamburg, Deutschland
![]() “Douglas is a superb teacher. He has everything a great singing teacher needs and more than most have. He is an excellent singer, superb musician and highly accomplished composer himself, so he can do what he teaches others to do. He has a vast knowledge of music and an unbeatable record in the vocal arts, starting in them, as he did, when he was very young, giving him a wealth of experience. Thirdly, he is dedicated to his work and this ensures an extremely high quality of service. Furthermore, Douglas is a very patient teacher, sensitive to the needs of those he teaches and cognizant of the best method to overcome problems and difficulties encountered along the way for that particular individual. In other words, he knows how to tailor tuition to the various talents and ranges with which he has to deal. In addition, Douglas can accompany his pupils on an instrument while they sing - something not all teachers offer.
I would say that Douglas is guided by a stalwart belief in quality and in attaining the best you can out of the resources at your disposal. He believes in doing things the best way and being the best you can be. It is this strong conviction that makes him a tour-de-force as a tutor. Douglas was my singing teacher for a year and I was extremely pleased with my progress under his aegis. I would not hesitate to recommend him to any individual or organization.” From Professor Naomi Morgenstern - Philadelphia, PA, USA
![]() "I have had the pleasure of working with Douglas Rice as my vocal teacher since 2012. I had studied singing twenty years prior to meeting Douglas, and I was not at all sure that I would benefit from returning to lessons. But although I have worked with a number of teachers in the past, I have encountered none who display Douglas' command of technique and of the complex physiology of singing. It is exciting and extraordinarily motivating to take lessons with Douglas, and even though I am now in my mid-forties and have been away from singing for many years, Douglas has demonstrated that I can develop as a singer in ways I had not imagined. Douglas teaches singers at many stages in their lives and with a wide range of abilities and stylistic interests; and he has an extensive knowledge of musical repertoire and an unusual ability to assist in repertoire choices for developing the voice. In his teaching as in his conducting, he has a genius for combining technical expertise with a profound appreciation for the importance of expression through music. I addition to being a great musician himself, Douglas is very attuned to his individual students and is adept at hearing where they are in their own musical development and what they most need to improve. He is extremely generous with his time, and one never has any questions about his passion for teaching singing, music or his commitment to his pupils and his profession. He is an impeccably organized and absolutely reliable teacher, director and conductor, and he is a warm, supportive and nurturing teacher. I feel very fortunate to have also had the opportunity to sing in Douglas' ensemble & productions, and to learn from such a brilliant singer/teacher & musician. As Shakespeare said, "(his) golden touch could soften steel and stones/Make tigers tame and huge leviathans/Forsake unsounded deeps to dance on sands."
From Karina Bray - Soprano![]() ."Douglas Rice is not only a great teacher, a supportive mentor but a fierce friend. His detailed vocal pedagogy , where technique and artistry go hand in hand, is taught through thoughtful explanations and attention to detail. Thank you for everything Douglas!"
From Florian Voss - Germany & Sweden
![]() .Florian Voss, Tenor, studies with Douglas Rice in Europe and Canada. He has performed with various international opera companies in Europe and is presently engaged with the Royal Stockholm Opera in Sweden. He has appeared with The Velvet Curtain Company in Toronto, Canada and premiered new Canadian Operatic works by Douglas Rice.
From Ingrid Otto-Papst
![]() ."Douglas, ein kleines Dankeschoen fuer einen wieder sehr gelungenen Nachmittag mit vielen musikalischen Koestlichkeiten. Du fuehrst Deine Schueler mit sicherer, geschulter Hand und sie haben grosses Vertrauen zu Dir, dass kann man merken. Alle Saenger haben ihr bestes gegeben und sich in die Herzen gesungen. Du bist eben ein ausgezeichneter Lehrer, der weiss, wie man junge Talente zum Erfolg bringt. Nochmals lieben Dank, und herzlichen Gruss, Ingrid."
From Jeann Hartley - California, USA![]() “Douglas Rice has shown to be one of the most technically sound and musically talented teachers of singing. His caring, careful attention to a students needs and challenges make him first choice for singers who wish to excel in their art. His own performances are brilliant and breathtaking to hear. I not only recommend you get in the cue to study with him but hasten to the nearest ticket outlet to take in the wonder of his voice. I only wish I was living closer to take part in his master classes, private lessons and performances. It is not out of the question that I will be having my own lessons with him via skype or telephone very soon. He is a great friend and giving professional. Keep an eye out on his career , while already wonderful, is just beginning!"
From Erica Skowron - B.C., Canada
![]() "Douglas' effervescent enthusiasm and extensive knowledge of the voice and vocal repertoire make him an excellent teacher and vocal coach. He will teach you how to sing excellently and inspire you to be the best musician that you can be. Further to this, you will have a lot of fun getting there."
From Jay Bradley - Hollywood, CA, USA
![]() "I have studied with numerous teachers over the years but my time with Douglas was by far the most thorough, enjoyable & inspirational! Douglas has a wonderful gift of bringing out the best in people while always instilling their inner confidence. He focuses on the positives using his knowledge, charisma and solid technique to ensure growth in each lesson. A stellar teacher!"
From Richard Mells - Sydney, B.C.
![]() “I knew Douglas Rice through his teenage years up to the time of launching his younger career. He showed great promise as a singer and actor at that time and I believe that he has now proven to be a very fine professional artist.”
From Wayne Line - Montreal, Canada
![]() “I have worked with Douglas on several productions and have found him to be a very organized and professional colleague. He takes time to pay attention to detail and to the needs of the people around him. With each step in any production he finds ways to ease the path so you never feel pressured or confronted. I have always enjoyed working with Douglas and hope to have many more opportunities to do so again in the future."
From Sherry Nott - Alberta, Canada
![]() "I have known Douglas Rice since he was thirteen years old. Even as a young student Doug always presented himself with passion and a keen sense of what constitutes great musicality. In his career as a performer and teacher this has been enhanced and enriched until today; which finds him as a wonderful performer and teacher who is highly respected in his craft. To study with Doug is to be much desired. He is committed 100% to all facets of his talents. Doug is much sought after and extremely successful. I wish him the joy he instills in others."
From Terri Mort - Alberta, Canada
![]() "With intelligence, multifaceted in voice, dance and drama, Douglas James Rice brings warmth, humor and an understanding for the mechanics of music and vocal psyche. I have watched Doug in various capacities over thirty years, all the way from community theater to instruction in professional vocal seminars. He is able to orchestrate soloists, choirs and ensembles to be as one with their passion of song. He is encouraging, whilst honing into an individual's vocal needs, clearly recognizing pockets of possibilities in others talents. He has the ear and eye through, what must be years of international exposure to great talent! Doug is charismatic in building confidence in young singers and quick to determine how to expound on the voices of others. He transfers the importance of self discipline and is very accurate in his personal vision as an artist. Director, mentor, teacher and singer, by knowing his art so thoroughly he is able to raise the bar for others!"
From Gordon Cleland - Niagara, Canada
![]() “Douglas Rice is an excellent tenor with a lovely voice and a talented composer that I have known for several years.”
From Peter Pastuovic - Oakville, Canada![]() "I had the pleasure of interacting and performing with Douglas during our undergraduate studies at Wilfrid Laurier University. Very early on I could see how passionate and dedicated he was about his craft and that he would go on to achieve great things with his music, or with any other endeavor for that matter. It has come as no surprise that he continues to be a highly sought after vocalist and teacher."
From Steve Khan - Toronto, Canada![]() "Douglas has proven that he is an effective communicator, particularly with writing. He also manages multiple tasks while delivering high quality results. He is excellent at motivating others and a strong leader.”
From Melissa Rebronja - Los Angeles, USA & Toronto, Canada
![]() "Douglas brings a wealth of information from his professional experience & background in music. He is super supportive & dedicated to the growth of his students. He takes the time to get to know students well & supports them in all ways. On top of that, his personality is very uplifting & entertaining - making lessons with him super fun & energizing! Douglas J. Rice is a breath of fresh air & I highly recommend him."
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