Betsey deGroff
Betsey Marthelia deGroff, one of Maine’s most well known vocal teachers, is pleased to announce she has happily moved back to Lincoln County where she is now accepting students for her new voice studio at her home in Southport.
With degrees in music education, music history, and vocal pedagogy, deGroff began her teaching career in Lincoln County but it ultimately spanned the country from Maine to California and into Canada, with her most recent location being in Wilton, Conn.
As well as keeping a private studio throughout her career, deGroff has had a rich career in choral conducting throughout the United States in public and private schools from middle school through college levels. She also worked as a festival adjudicator and clinician for the internationally known company Music Maestro Inc. She has also enjoyed overseas travel as both as a director and singer.
In the field of applied voice instruction, deGroff has trained singers who now have growing and established global careers, singing lead roles at opera houses such as the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, LA Opera, and throughout Europe – two of whom came from Lincoln Academy. Others have roles on Broadway and in movies.
DeGroff is a former Maine state president for the National Association of Teachers of Singing and the Maine Chapter of the American Choral Directors’ Association. She also has served as a district chairperson for the Maine Music Educators’ Association and has previously been voted by her colleagues “Outstanding Choral Director” for the State of Maine.
“Many people want to sing but believe they cannot, that they are ‘tone deaf’ or have some other hindrance,” says deGroff. However, she believes that everyone can sing, and sing well with training. As she has told many, “If you can talk, you can sing. We are all born with some level of God given ability. Most people think they can either sing or not, but who would ever expect to be handed a trumpet and pick it up to play Handel or Bach? Voice is no different, and learning technique is what makes a singer.”
DeGroff has proven time and time again that with the right training combined with application by her students, no one has failed to learn to sing better and sing well.
DeGroff offers voice evaluations and both individual and group lessons as well as training in music theory, ear training, and sight singing. She works with all music styles including opera, musical theater, folk, and pop. In addition to voice lessons she also provides audition preparation and career and vocal coaching. DeGroff is also available to conduct master classes and workshops for interested organizations. She teaches students from middle school through senior citizens, and enjoys all ages.
More information about her practice, studio, and philosophy of teaching can be found at cameratamus.com or her Camerata Music Facebook page. To arrange for a free voice evaluation or to schedule a lesson, deGroff can be reached at 450-8323.
