Lisa Grisolia – Voice/Piano

Lisa Grisolia’s varied teaching experience includes private voice and piano lessons for all ages, middle school to college level general music, choral directing, and musical theater vocal directing. She has been teaching at the American Music Institute since 2007 and throughout the Chicagoland area since 1997. Ms. Grisolia holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Illinois Wesleyan University, where she was a voice major and piano minor. She studied voice with Barrington Coleman and Sam Scifres and piano with Lawrence Campbell and Ririko Hayashi. During college, Ms. Grisolia worked as a student accompanist for vocalists, instrumentalists, and musical theater. She received her Master of Music degree in Voice Performance and Vocal Pedagogy from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, where she studied with renowned soprano Judith Haddon and was coached by Giulio Favario and Dana Brown.

Ms. Grisolia has sung two seasons with the Grant Park Chorus and is in her sixth season with the New Classic Singers. She has been a featured soloist with the Salt Creek Sinfonietta, Vox Caelestis, and New Classic Singers. NCS highlights include solos in Eurico Carrapatoso’s Magnificat, Terry Riley’s Sun Rings (with the Kronos Quartet), and Clyde Thompson’s We Have Spoken (world premiere). Ms. Grisolia greatly enjoys performing art song and is an active recitalist. In 2008, she had the wonderful privilege of singing in a recital showcasing Gwyneth Walker’s vocal pieces at College of DuPage, with the gracious composer in attendance.

Currently the West Suburban Symphony Singers rehearsal accompanist and assistant, Ms. Grisolia has over twenty years experience as a piano accompanist. She also accompanies the Nazareth Academy Concert Choir and is the pianist for the school Masses. In addition, Ms. Grisolia is a freelance accompanist and soloist for private parties. She is an active member of Sigma Alpha Iota, professional music fraternity for women, and the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

Personal Statement

I love the variety that comes from teaching both voice and piano to students of all ages and levels. Each student has a unique personality and energy and brings something different to every lesson. I strive to be a sensitive and nurturing teacher, providing tools to help my students become better musicians and guiding them through a journey of finding their voice as a singer or instrumentalist. My goal is to help foster a love and an understanding of music in my students, as well as the confidence to freely create and express themselves as individuals.