Richard Fredricks actually stunned me with his ability to return to me the voice I had when I was at the height of my professional opera career! I came to him with my voice in pieces...and he thoughtfully applied his pedagogical brilliance to release my many long-grown faulty habits. For many years I was a successful opera soprano free-lancing out of NYC, who, as the years went by, forgot my daily discipline, so I was totally foundering vocally when I found the guts to approach such an eminently qualified teacher as Richard is. I attended a lesson of a friend and was struck by the depth and clarity of his technique...by his ability to pinpoint exactly what technical aspect needed to be fixed and just how to adjust it. I had a tiny hope that he could at least help me to sing through a phrase. What a surprise that he led me back to the freedom and quality of the truth of my voice! My task now is to create a consistency of my easy technique. The intimacy which he has with vocal science is astounding. His ear, his knowledge, his integrity, his patience are mind-blowing. And...unlike so many voice teachers - he can easily demonstrate all that he asks. It has been decades since I have partnered the likes of Justino Diaz and Carlo Bergonzi. Since my relocating to L.A. I have hungered to be in the company of a fellow professional as Richard. We share more than memories of NYC, of our active careers and fellow musicians...with Richard I am returned to the atmosphere of the highest standards of performance vocally and dramatically. I have taught voice throughout my performing career. Neither I nor any of my previous teachers had the overall vocal knowledge this maestro carries within himself. It is indeed a privilege to study with Richard Fredricks! I call him my scientific wizard. read more

Former New City Opera and Met Baritone, charges $200 for a lesson either in person or online via skype. This fee is too high compared to what you don't get like a good pianist, showcase opportunities, connections, studio setting, or practice facility. Mr. Fredricks teaches in his tiny and filthy apartment (no studio!) in West L.A. He does not have a Masters, Ph.d, Bachelors, not even an Associates Degree in Music. He can't help you understand Music Theory, Sight Reading/Singing, or Music Business. He doesn't understand the current Music Industry how to get work, or audition. No job connections or friends who even hire his students for choral roles. Yet he expects students to pay him $200 per class. He's proud of these rates. He should only charge $50 per lesson lets be real. He can't even play piano very good and it's old, ragedy, and out of tune. Is he for real? So sad. R.F. was not a major star like Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti. He never was signed on major classcial labels such as Decca, Deutsche Grammaphon, Sony or EMI. There is only 2 entire opera works La Traviata and Roberto Devereux. Unfortunately he does not have any connections in the music industry. A gifted voice student would hope to find some work after paying these high fees. I see this as a problem in Los Angeles where we have tons of acting and music teachers who are so fast to take your money but cannot provide the service that one can have a career in this field even when the student has the talent needed. Sadly enough he does not even organize showcases for his most talented students or help them to get an audition in an opera house, theater, for an agent or manager. Most likely because he does not have the connections anymore. Mr. Fredricks teaches his own vocal technique. Many things about his technique are good; however, a vocal coach is like a medical doctor who cannot apply the same medicine for each patient. The entire technique is too mechnical forced and lacks natural smoothness and easiness which produces the beautiful belcanto sound we want. His teaching method is like the man too extreme focused on one direction there is no space for any other. His technique covers the tone too much and he never talks about the importance of head resonance and overtones which is important for all voices especially the higher ones. The correct application of head resonance guarantees a long lasting singing voice. UCLA Music Instructors think he's crazy so don't tell them b/c they will laugh and say "he's coo coo." USC fired him. Who knows why. If you trained with him you can't even mention it. He cannot play piano good and does not offer a pianist, you have to bring own piano player. The man does not understand pedagogy how could he since he didn't get a Music Degree. He lacks good communication skills and he yells at singers. Yelling at people does not help to find a inner relaxation which the student needs to produce a free and open sound. It makes it even worst when he pushes his limited baritone range up to sing along which the high voices such as Soprano and Tenor. How can a higher voice learn from a Baritone to sing their high notes who does not have those. He also does not provice proper warm ups. The student just came in to the lesson and must sing out of his full voice without even had the change to be warmed up suffienctly. Especially the higher voice need to find the connection to the head voice meachanism to reach easy and clear the top ranges. Starting with the darker vowels such as "o" "a" is not a good advise when we have to find first the head resonance and the mask placement of the voice by singing bright vowels such as "e" or "u" vowels. To sum it up, I am very sceptical regarding all those private acting and music teachers in Los Angeles and eleswhere who mostly take your money but cannot provide the entire musical training such as Music theory, piano, knowledge in the business of music (most important beside the skills as a performer), performing experience etc. one needs to make it in the music field; therefore, my suggestion is it to attend one of those local music programs on a community college or university where a student can get financial aid, permantl use of a practice room (which this private teacher never provide!!) because repetion is more important than the right voice teacher after the student has a clou how to sing. Least but not last a student obtains a music degree (bachelor, master, PHD) where he or she can also find a stable career in teaches music on a college or university full time, part time or later on after the promising career has ended. Stay away from Mr. Fredricks he proclaimes that only his teaching is the only true way. His credentials are questionable b/c most of the old guys who trained with him are dead and some still alive but they had big careers long before they met Richard Fredricks. In closing, he has a weird attitude but I'm sure he'll say that he's right. read more

Richard is a gem of a teacher. He's got a warm, no-nonsense, fun personality and is simply brilliant. He is very patient with his students, pays attention to them, tirelessly demonstrates, showing how their sound can be improved when they are making mistakes. This is incredibly effective for students, instead of just letting them sing trial-by-error, they are being guided by a very knowledgeable professional, who's had a serious career! During the lesson, you are actually encouraged to ask questions, to demystify the process instead of shrouding it in veil and put it atop an altar. His teaching on support and breadth is great. He has extensive knowledge about the art of singing, the repertoire, and is able to verbalize it in a way that people can understand. He's very good with giving constructive directions, and if one direction isn't clicking with you, he will try to say it in a different way until it works. He is generous with his time, which all serious singers can appreciate, because to him, the effect of the teaching matters. He will get you somewhere in a lesson, as opposed to just looking at his clock and say, time to end! His set-up is very intelligent, you will be recorded in the lesson, and you will hear yourself as someone hearing you, outside your own ears. I can't stress how valuable that is especially during a lesson. He has taught me how to listen critically as a musician, which is immensely useful. I have had a couple of teachers before Richard and studied for years. I am a soprano but had trouble with my high notes. My past teachers have somewhat avoided the issue or not addressing them in a productive manner. Under Richard's guidance, my high notes are beginning to blossom. People are noticing a difference in my singing. If you are seriously looking to build a technique that can give you real confidence, Richard is the one to go to. read more

I am a lyric coloratura soprano. I've learned the hard way to work only with teachers who can actually do what they teach, who've achieved excellence in classical vocal performance. Richard Fredricks certainly qualifies on this score. He toured with musical theatre productions as a young baritone, sang for many years as the principal baritone at New York City Opera and the Metropolitan Opera of New York, concertized at venues all over the world and appeared on television as an actor and a singer. He has direct, personal knowledge of how to present his voice and character to their best effect in all kinds of demanding, high-pressure performing situations. I began working with Mr. Fredricks with the hope of improving the quality of my middle and lower voice. I'd never had a solid core there and lacked the resonance to carry across a concert hall. Several good teachers tried to help me with this but progress was very slow. Mr. Fredricks told me he could show me how to fix it in an hour, so I took him up on his offer. He had me singing with a strong, resonant sound through that whole lower range within 15 minutes. It took me a little longer to incorporate the technique into my singing habit, but with his guidance I have done that. In the process, my high notes have taken on more brilliance and are better supported. In addition to opera, I wanted to know how to sing American popular standards so that an audience could understand my lyrics, with a beautiful tone - not belting. His instruction in this area has been invaluable. Rather than having the words die in my throat, people now say they can understand what I'm saying at any pitch, and I'm able to perform without fatiguing my voice, achieving a ringing tone that carries well in most venues without a microphone. I have developed a smooth, connected tone that has no break in the passagio - something I will continue working to master. Richard Fredricks understands the physics of vocal production: how to control volume, intensity and color for any type of singing. He is extraordinarily knowledgeable about vocal technique and has a discerning ear, immediately recognizing sub-par resonance and any tightness or poor tongue position. He teaches an excellent technique for breath support and impulse power, to keep a tone soaring, never held or stuck. This technique is effective for all voice types, female as well as male. He is generous with his knowledge, incapable of holding back, summoning more energy and intensity as a teacher than anyone I've ever worked with. He offers serious vocal tips freely from his website on "Tip of the Month" and is passionate about sharing his understanding with other singers. I highly recommend Richard Fredricks to any singer who is serious about mastering classical vocal performance technique at the highest level. read more

I am not a professional singer, just an amateur. But Richard taught singing to my entire family for a few weeks and brought the fun and joy of singing to the whole family. He got us singing together, on key and sounding pretty good in no time. I highly recommend him! read more

I have known Richard for over 50 years and have nothing but the utmost respect for him, his talent, and his teaching ability. Obviously, the proper breathing technique is basic for all singing starting with the abdomen and going all the way up and out the mouth. He works on every aspect of everything ---when something goes wrong, he stops immediately and has you fix it. If you don't know how, he demonstrates--he doesn't let you get my with anything ! He has a great rapport with people, a wonderful sense of humor, and frankly is quite outspoken which is needed if you are a teacher of any form of music. His technique is obviously the right one, shown by the fact that at his age he can still sing beautifully, and although a baritone, can demonstrate to students those difficult high notes. In the years I have known Richard (we sang together in college), I have followed his career and heard him sing whenever he has been in my area. My respect has grown for this driven musician in that he wants to help anyone who comes to him, whether new to singing or an already established singer. He is a true vocal technician willing to share his expertise . I was in LA a few months ago and was lucky enough to sit in on a few of his lessons ---what a terrific experience. There is no holding back with him! Using his proper breathing technique, your high register will grow, your voice will not become hoarse or tired, you will be able to become a " cross-over" singer , which only a few opera singers have been able to do successfully. Listen to his songs on his web site and you will see what I mean. Be able to have your voice fit the music you are singing -------but most important of all--breath properly. Of course, there are many other aspects to learn--ie-- tongue position, jaw position, position of lips ---singing properly is not easy, but lessons with Richard will be fun and you will learn to sing in a manner that will last for years. read more

I am a lyric soprano in my fifties. I got my Masters years ago in vocal performance from USC and all but gave up on singing because I just couldn't count on my vocal technique and I just couldn't get out of my throat. My voice would tire easily and I would become hoarse from trying so hard to get that "forward placement" which was so foreign to me. I only wish I had found Richard 30 years ago! I've been working with Richard for 2 years and I finally feel like I know what I am doing! Richard works with me like a trainer. We go phrase by phrase through the arias I am working on and he won't let me continue without getting my placement and breath support working correctly so that I can feel what makes correct placement and support and I can see in the mirror what it looks like when I'm singing correctly. Sometimes it can feel arduous, but progress is so much faster than with any other teacher I've worked with. He tapes my lessons and plays sections back so I can hear the difference in the tone quality of my sound when technique is correct and when it is not. Previous teachers would have me sing through the whole aria and then go back to certain problem spots. Meanwhile I'd just be reinforcing all my bad habits without any correction making them harder to undo. I have learned so much and in such a short period of time compared to all my years of study with more than 10 very well-thought-of voice teachers. Thank you, Richard! read more

Californians are lucky that Richard Fredricks did not retire from the Metropolitan Opera to set up a vocal studio at Julliard. He is a brilliant, insightful professional who shared the stage with Beverly Sills, coached Renata Scotto, yet also performed for Richard Rodgers. When the Metropolitan Opera celebrated its centennial by staging Don Giovanni, whom did they cast as Don Giovanni? Richard Fredricks. When Johnny Carson wanted an opera star to serenade his audience of 10 million, whom did he repeatedly call? Richard Fredricks. Richard's versatility is extraordinary. As a teacher he is always encouraging and shares a precise technique that will widen your vocal range and give you a clearer, more potent sound. Richard can sing along, demonstrating a flexible support system and conveying the confidence you need to sing crisply and gracefully. I've taken voice lessons from professionals in New York, but none have had the tools to engineer a better sound. In comparison to Richard, others are like The Music Man, employing a mysterious but fraudulent "think system." I must note that on this page a malcontent sputters her thoughts, suggesting that taking lessons from Richard is not like learning from Pavarotti or Domingo. Well, try getting a lesson from one of them! Pavarotti stopped giving lessons when they buried his body in 2007, and Placido is almost as difficult to get an appointment with. Bravo Maestro Fredricks! read more

No teacher or coach has been able to improve my singing like Richard Fredricks. He is a master musician with an enviable career working, as an equal, with the best singers and conductors in the world. Richard has been tireless in helping me prepare for my performances. He is always in my corner. He is encouraging before performances and a helpful & honest judge after an event. Besides being an excellent vocal technician, Richard's vast experience has been a great resource when dealing with organizations, personalities, and contracts. As a result of my work with Richard Fredricks I am a better and more confident musician and performer. read more

In 2010, I was looking for an experienced voice teacher to help my son for a school concert. After some research, I have found Richard Fredricks a former Baritone with a good career. We drove over to his place, not really in a good neighbourhood, close to Venice Blvd. I was surprised that he taught in his living room. I was expecting a theater or studio. Well, the voice lessons seemed to work very well and I was convinced that my son improved a lot since his first lesson. After the school concert my son' s music teacher had to talk to me. He was concerned about the strange and artifical mouth position during his singing. I said, his new voice teacher told him to sing with the upper lip down. The music teacher at school meant "who sings like that". He also meant this thing with the upper lips down will darken his voice artificially. We need a natural sound. This really made me think. read more

I have tried many teachers with masters and doctorate degrees in music and professors of the best universities but none comes close to Richard Fredricks. He is the only one I came across who can effectively teach and demonstrate the bel canto technique, support, coordination, articulation, singing a line, etc. in a manner and lingo that I can easily understand. Most teachers love using vague, highfalutin words they memorized from a book to make them sound intelligent hoping to impress and quiet the students. Richard does the opposite. His instructioins are specific, step by step, which I find easy to visualize and execute. I used to struggle with high notes and singing long phrases, but not anymore! And of course, his illutrious career validates that what he teaches not only makes sense but works for the best of the best. read more

I have a BM and MM in vocal performance and have studied with many excellent teachers over the course of my career. An otolaryngologist recommended Richard Fredrick's to me and I'm so grateful. Richard understands vocal production. He's made a tremendous difference to my singing. Although his fee may be higher than some LA teachers, relative to NYC or others of his caliber, he is en par. He's generous with his time as one lesson could be two hours. His understanding of style and performance conventions for the traditional operatic and theater rep is world class. His approach is definitely unconventional and can be frustrating. But I appreciate that he's conditioning muscles and muscle memory like biofeedback. He will not let you do it wrong or reinforce improper technique.if you want to be great, he's your teacher. If you want to hear yourself sing through songs and get empty compliments, then there are many teachers for you! My ENT did warn me that he's eccentric. I think the brilliant ones are! read more

I am originally from Stockholm in Sweden and moved to Los Angeles to take lessons with Seth Riggs, where I met Richard Fredricks one day during one of Mr.Riggs voice courses. He meant that Fredricks could help me with my support and range because I did not fully developed my Baritone range. After a couple of classes I had to surrender because his method seemed to mechanically for me. At least Seth Riggs always had a couple great warm-up for your voice, where is Fredricks starts you to sing full out without even be warmt up. I felt i was not ready to sing full out without even have warmed up all the muscles. I was cracking on and on and he just pushed my voice even harder. I am sure you singers know what I mean. I moved back to Sweden to train with a student of the great Nicolai Gedda. Finally I have found a teacher who can help me with my voice. Fredricks fee is much too high and I felt like he made my current problems even worst. Better stay away. read more