Teacher Profile: Jeanie Marinella
About Jeanie Marinella
Jeanie Marinella graduated from Western Washington University in December, 2015 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music/Vocal Performance. Jeanie studied opera and classical music at Western and is a classically trained Soprano. She is a versatile singer, as she equally enjoys singing and playing R&B and Jazz. Jeanie is currently inspired to continue performing with her band Mōtus, write music, and advance as a percussionist in Seattle.
Over the past three years, teaching has become an exciting passion for Jeanie. She just moved back to Seattle, her hometown but taught through Bellinghome School of Music and Bellingham Music Academy during this time. Jeanie works with her students on an individual basis and customizes a curriculum for each student, helping them achieve their goals as singers, musicians and performers. Before moving back to Seattle, she had about 30-35 students of different ages and backgrounds. Throughout her time teaching, Jeanie has had great student retention, as she is highly encouraging and challenges herself to be critical about teaching methods and curriculum. This is also a reflection of her ability to understand each student’s needs and learning style.
One of Jeanie’s strengths is her understanding of vocal pedagogy and diction. This enables her to teach healthy vocal production, as she prioritizes helping students develop a foundation that allows for a lifetime of singing. She enjoys teaching her students how to properly breathe and support, especially since this is an area that is often neglected or not explained sufficiently. Along with healthy technique, Jeanie loves teaching sight singing, ear training/solfege and different vocal styles. Jeanie is passionate about communication through singing and is inspired to help others discover how to sing with their most expressive voice, whatever the style is.
As for Jeanie’s experience, she has sang with the Seattle Symphony on the Grammy nominated choral recording of Samuel Jones’ composition of “The Shoebird,” and at Benaroya Hall with The Northwest Choirs/Vocalpoint! Seattle. She also has performed the role of the Sandman in Humperdinck’s “Hansel und Gretel,” with Vivace in Vancouver, BC and as Lauretta, one of the leading roles in Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi,” at Western. She was a frequent soloist in Western Washington University’s concert choir as well.
On top of teaching voice lessons, Jeanie worked at Columbia Elementary over the last year as a Paraeducator in Bellingham, Washington. As a Paraeducator, Jeanie has learned to always emphasize student safety, facilitate issues between students, teach appropriate and respectful behavior at school, and successfully communicate to large groups of students and colleagues. Her experience working in Bellingham Public Schools immensely enhanced her ability to teach, communicate and support students.