Voice

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Aaron Gray (he/him) is a pianist who, at the age of 8, started taking piano lessons under the tutelage of his grandmother, Frances. In college, he held the position of Rehearsal Pianist for the music department and accompanied and served as the assistant music director for various performances, including the opera Beautiful Bridegroom by Dan Shore and for the departmental musicals. He has served as music director for various local community theaters, high schools and colleges, and has also played for Saint Vincent Summer Theater’s professional summer stock. Aaron has also served as the organist/music director at various churches and was most recently the Music Director at Christ United Methodist Church in Scottsdale, Pa. He is also the studio accompanist for Mezzo-Soprano Maureen Miller. 

In the past, he has served as the associate conductor for Westmoreland Choral Society and was the accompanist for Murrysville Masterworks Chorale. He received his bachelor’s degree in piano performance and studied under Mr. Thomas Octave (Voice/Conducting), Fr. Cyprian Constantine (Organ), Mrs. Susanna Lemberskaya (Vocal Coaching/Accompaniment) and Mrs. Lisa Zubritsky (Piano). Aaron currently owns, operates and teaches at Practice Makes Perfect Music Studio, serves as a teacher for the Piano Sensei, and is a Community Music Program instructor at Seton Hill University.

When not performing or teaching Aaron likes to spend his free time with his wife Julia and daughter Cadence.

Aubrey Burchell (she/her) is a professional performer and vocalist from North Huntingdon, PA! She has been singing for a little over a decade! Aubrey was recently an AGT season 17 semifinalist, and is presently performing at local venues all over western PA and surrounding states.

Lara Daigle (she/her) is a theatre artist born and raised in southwestern PA (she went to the same high school as Mr. Rogers- a few decades later!)

Lara has been playing make believe and doing a perfect lipline since she was five years old. After getting over trying to be "cool" in middle school, she gave herself over to making theatre- and hasn't looked back since. She is a proud former student of The Broadway Collective and just graduated from Arcadia University with her BFA in Acting with a Concentration in Musical Theatre. She can't wait to create with you!

Emery Palmer (they/them) is a Senior studying Music Education at Seton Hill University, and one of Practice Makes Perfect's student teachers! Their primary instrument is voice and they study the cello and trumpet as secondaries. They regularly gig for Practice Makes Perfect, last seen at the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival and Pa Brewery running series. Emery is going to be teaching beginner cello, ukulele, and voice classes!

Val Bowman is a local of Connellsville PA. She graduates from Slippery Rock University with a BFA in Musical Theatre. She has always loved music and performing and hopes to continue spreading the passion of musical theatre to others. Her most recent project is being an ensemble member in Seussical the Musical. Some of her favorite roles she has played consists of "Bellomy" from The Fantasticks at Slippery Rock University Theatre department, "Madame Thenardier" in Les Misérables at Connellsville High School and "Edna Turnblad" from Hairspray Jr.  at The Connellsville Middle School. 

Vanessa Clarke-Deaver is an actor, dance teacher, and choreographer, who is beyond excited to join PMP! She has been dancing for over 20 years, performing, and competing with local studios and companies as well as teaching/choreographing for 7 years. She has also been seen in musicals and plays with The Geyer Performing Arts Center, Split Stage Productions, The State Theatre, and more. Vanessa has studied theatre, acting, dance, and voice at Seton Hill University and Wagner College. She absolutely loves teaching and is beyond thrilled for this opportunity! 

Michael Bilik, tenor, began his musical studies at a very early age. Though it was not until high school that he found his passion for vocal music, he has been blessed with musical opportunities surpassing the last 10 years.
 

Michael received a BFA in Voice Performance from Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he studied voice with Dr. Oliver Lo and a Masters in Music in Voice/Opera Performance from West Chester University of Pennsylvania where he studied under Dr. Stephen Ng. During his studies, Michael has won voice competitions and was the recipient for several vocal honors. He has performed in numerous operatic and musical theater roles and scenes, from Nemorino in Elixir of Love to Tobias in Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd. During the summer of 2017, Michael sang the role of Don Ottavio in Mozart’s beloved opera Don Giovanni. He was invited back again to Orvieto and Rome in 2019 for a three week intensive program of chamber music and art song. He also toured with IUP Chorale in Prague and Vienna. An avid recitalist, Michael enjoys researching and performing 20th century and modern repertoire.

“My goal as an educator is to create and foster a positive learning environment, while being dedicated to the student and helping them to be disciplined musicians, as well as encouraging my students to explore all styles of music. My focus is to help students discover their own instrument and to teach them a healthy and sustainable voice technique that will aide them in lifelong singing.”

Roni Glad (She/They)

Roni has been singing their entire life. From age 4-19 she took a variety of lessons in the arts. They have been performing for 18 years and earned their Bachelor's Degree in Audio Engineering In 2021. In 2020, Roni began to pursue teaching private voice lessons and posting vocal performances online. Over the last 3 years she has grown over 120,000 followers across social media. She is a content creator & freelance artist of many mediums and strives to create a positive atmosphere for all her students and clients to thrive. 

“The most important thing for me is that my students and clients feel safe and accepted. Having a great time while learning a new skill is so important. Students who enjoy what they are learning in a safe space spend more time interested in what they are pursuing. I want people to learn to love their authentic selves through what they are passionate about. If I can help children and adults feel seen in a world that usually doesn’t see them, then I’ve found success.

Scott Goodman (he/him) was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and earned a BA in Music from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. In addition to enjoying a long career as an elementary and middle school music educator, Scott is a board-certified music therapist, author/composer of the academic-based music program Music, Math & Money, and creator of Staff Saver, a perforated carbonless music manuscript paper system. Scott is a well-rounded and accomplished musician and is able to demonstrate advanced proficiency in music theory, songwriting, and performance. He is an experienced and engaging music educator who loves sharing his skills and talents to inspire his students, and he can be counted on to commit personal resources and expertise to ensure that each student has the opportunity to realize their maximum potential. When not performing or teaching, Scott likes to spend his free time with his wife Gina, son Sam, and daughters Ellis and Annie.