Performing is my life.
Teaching is my passion!
“Refined”
“Brilliant”
“HONEST”
“Supportive”
“Hilarious”
(what students have said)
Understand your instrument and how it works.
Release excess tension.
Expand your range.
Unlock the colors.
Embody the vocal character and musical style.
Bring truth to your tone!
Making choices based on artistry and intent, instead of limitation.
We’ve all had to make vocal and/or acting choices based on our inability to simply do anything else in that moment. Vocal issues should not hinder your creative expression. As a performer, I fight to bring every possible personal choice to the performance and continue to push myself past those preconceived constructs of my own design. All too often, we limit ourselves out of fear or misunderstanding. As a teacher, I seek to use concrete facts based on anatomy and physiology of the singing mechanism and the body as a whole, paired with aural concept and the awareness of sound production to help each singer understand more about their instrument and break the boundaries of limitation.
Say “NO” to cookie-cutter! Say “YES!” to YOUR voice!
Let me help you establish a functional approach to your singing, with fewer limitations, and more possibilities!
Explore more about your own:
Anatomy & Physiology
Registration
Resonance
Articulation
Posture & Alignment
Breathing & Support
Musical & Dramatic Intent
OH! That's what that means?!
〰️
That's SO much easier!
〰️
It doesn't hurt anymore!
〰️
I can finally sing that song!
〰️
Best I've ever sung that!
〰️
I got a callback!
〰️
Booked and Blessed!
〰️
OH! That's what that means?! 〰️ That's SO much easier! 〰️ It doesn't hurt anymore! 〰️ I can finally sing that song! 〰️ Best I've ever sung that! 〰️ I got a callback! 〰️ Booked and Blessed! 〰️
My teaching bio:
In addition to a successful international performing career, Alan has been a sought-after vocal pedagogue, both Stateside and in Europe, for over twenty five years. He has consistently pursued both careers simultaneously and with equal passion, bringing his knowledge of the stage into the studio. Alan is currently on the faculty of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) NYC. Alan taught as a Senior Adjunct Professor at Wagner College for 14 years. Before founding, his own summer program, Orfeo Vocal Arts Academy, in 2015, Alan served on the teaching rosters of several top European summer training programs, including Musica Coeli (Graz, Austria), Festa Lirica Italiana (Ischia, Italy), and the renowned American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) (Graz, Austria). In the US, he has been a frequent guest lecturer at New York’s Columbia University and Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas and is on the list of recommended voice teachers by the NYU Langone Voice Center of Manhattan.
His students have graced the stages of the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro Comunale di Bologna and Modena, Semperoper Dresden, Deutsche Oper Berlin, as well as Broadway and Off-Broadway, National and International Tours.
In Germany and throughout Europe and South America, Alan has sung leading opera roles as a tenor and countertenor, and in 2006 joined the roster of the Metropolitan Opera. In 2010, he co-founded the critically-acclaimed ensemble Opera Feroce with whom he performs as both countertenor and baritone. Opera Feroce’s mission is to develop entertaining and accessible conceptualized performances of obscure works and lesser-known composers primarily of the Baroque era.
In founding his own summer program, the Orfeo Vocal Arts Academy, Alan chose the magnificent city of Dresden, Germany as the program’s home. Alan was a resident of the Saxon capitol for most of his time in Germany, pursuing multiple degrees at the Conservatory and launching his European performing career. He continues to enjoy a tight-knit relationship with many of his long-standing German colleagues, many of whom are now valued OVAA collaborators. Alan is proud to call Dresden his second home and is passionate about sharing its rich cultural heritage with every new group of students. In return, OVAA has been embraced by the people of Dresden, and each summer sees a growing amount of enthusiasm and support.
“100% of Alan’s students credit him with changing their lives. He helps them understand their individual instruments, pushes them to achieve new goals, and sends them out into the world with confidence and secure vocal technique.
I have always found him to be ready with wisdom and honest advice.
He successfully works on a variety of repertoire and musical styles, giving his students a definitive road map on how to approach any given piece. It’s impressive.
It takes a great educator, one who truly cares, to inspire the whole artist. Alan is that kind of educator. I am honored to teach alongside him.”
“ALAN. Alan, your training is a beautiful phenomenon. It is so simple to you, and you explain it simply and concisely. It’s later that I’m scratching my head amazed at how you pinpoint the issue obstructing growth. ”
“Alan is a world-class educator, who has helped me build the foundations of my countertenor voice. His clear, concise and educated approach to vocal technique is universally applicable across genre and voice type, and he is able to easily navigate all of these worlds.”
“Alan Dornak’s training encourages flexibility in the singer’s voice allowing for the absolute versalitility of style.”
“The lessons learned from Mr. Dornak were akin to finding the Fountain of Youth…for vocal chords!”
“The work I did with Alan Dornak turned my voice around in such a short amount of time. He was able to break down technique difficulties quickly and offered several easy to understand solutions.”
“[Alan] combines an intimate knowledge of the physiology of the voice, with a passion for discovering each singer’s unique qualities and strengths.”
“I now have a technique that works specifically for me, based on his vast knowledge of both the anatomy and the range of style and emotion in the voice.”
