School Programs

Finding Your Voice: Free In-School Voice Lessons

The Bach Society of Saint Louis is passionate about nurturing the next generation of vocal talent. Through Finding Your Voice, our free in-school lesson program, we partner with local high schools to provide dedicated students with expert vocal training. 

How the Program Works

We strive to make high-quality vocal instruction as accessible as possible by bringing the experts directly to the students.

Lessons take place right on the high school campus during the regular school day, removing transportation barriers for the students.

Students receive focused, one-on-one training from highly qualified professional voice teachers. To ensure a safe and supportive environment, all instructors undergo comprehensive background checks.

Our voice teachers work hand-in-hand with school Choral Directors so every lesson complements what the student is already learning in class.

The program culminates in a celebratory spring performance to recognize and showcase the students’ hard work and growth.

Who We Serve

This program is designed primarily to support students in underserved St. Louis districts who might not otherwise have the financial resources or access to private vocal instruction.

Participants are carefully selected and recommended by their school’s music teacher. We look for students who are ambitious, dedicated and possess a strong work ethic. Our goal is to help them master fundamental vocal techniques while developing a lifelong appreciation for classical music.

Partnering with Local Educators

We know that high school choir directors carry the heavy responsibility of developing young voices and preparing them for auditions and competitions. It can be challenging for a single educator to provide individualized attention to every student. Our voice teachers are here to help fill that gap, offering the dedicated support your students need to thrive.

Meet the Voice Teachers

Patterson Performing Arts equips students with the fundamental skills for confident, expressive music-making in a supportive, performance-based environment.

Heather Patterson,

Owner & Instructor

Calista Goldwasser,

Instructor

Read Heather’s Bio

Heather McKenzie Patterson has been teaching voice for nearly 20 years. A graduate of Michigan State University (MM) and Furman University (BA), she made her solo  performing debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 2017.

Favorite operatic roles performed include Musetta (La Bohème), Frasquita (Carmen), Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro), Sophie (Der Rosenkavalier), Cleopatra (Giulio Cesare), Yum-Yum (The Mikado), Nella (Gianna Schicchi), Emily (The Ballad of Baby Doe), and the title role of Manon.

In addition to her private voice and piano studio, Heather has an accomplished teaching career at the university level, previously serving on voice faculties at Webster University, University of Missouri, Principia College, and Michigan State University. 

Read Calista’s Bio

Calista Goldwasser holds a Master of Music from Webster University, and a Bachelor of Music from DePauw University. Recent debuts include the opera choruses of both Winter Opera of Saint Louis (Anna Bolena, Don Giovanni, Naughty Marietta) and Union Avenue Opera (Carmen) in addition to performing and stage directing with Webster’s Opera Studio. Though opera is her primary passion, she also loves art song, and early music, particularly from the French impressionist and baroque movements.

Masterclasses

Connect your students with visiting professional artists

We often sponsor professional guest artists to present vocal masterclasses at local high schools and universities. Content is customizable based on the guest artist’s specialty and your students’ needs and interests.

Guest artists are typically available when they are in town for our performances during the standard concert season, and masterclasses are scheduled based on their rehearsal and performance schedules.