Chmelensky Voice Studio
Voice Lessons in Berlin, New York, and Online
Alongside my performance career, I am deeply committed to sharing the transformative power of music beyond the stage. With over a decade of experience teaching private voice lessons, masterclasses, and leading community outreach initiatives, I’ve had the privilege of working with students of all ages and abilities. Whether bringing music education to public school classrooms and local conservatories, mentoring aspiring vocalists, or collaborating with Sirius Music Communications GmbH to expand global access to music education, I’ve witnessed the profound impact music can have on individuals and communities alike. Music was a gift to me growing up, a source of solace, expression, meaning, and infinite possibility, and I am passionate about giving back helping others discover their own voice. Whether you’re preparing for auditions, professional engagements, or diving into serious vocal study, I bring a personalized approach rooted in experience with real-world insights of a working performer. I’ve performed internationally, most recently with Oper Frankfurt, the Metropolitan Opera, Tiroler Festspiele Erl, Verbier Festival, and the Berliner Philharmonie, and focus on building a strong classical foundation, with a specialization in opera, German Lied, and oratorio. My teaching is shaped by the techniques and wisdom I have gained from my teachers and mentors, including Marlena Malas, Laura Brooks Rice, Neil Shicoff, Tobias Truniger, Edith Wiens, Mikael Eliasen, Robert Holl, Elly Ameling, Caroline Dowdle, Ken Noda, Anne Sofie von Otter, Malcolm Martineau, Thomas Hampson and Matthew Rose. Their influence continues to inform my approach, ensuring a balance of technical precision and artistic expression.
Why Work with me:
Personalized lessons
Every singer’s journey is unique. I tailor each session to your individual goals, whether you’re just starting out or preparing for professional opportunities.Preparation for college, Young Artist Programs, and life beyond
With experience at the highest level in both the U.S. and Germany, I guide you through the specifics of auditioning, repertoire, and the various expectations in diverse musical environments.Mentorship, team building, and practical guidance
Whether you’re planning your first audition tour in Germany or thinking about relocating abroad, seeking guidance on topics including international taxes, finding work or an apartment, and sustaining yourself while doing it all, I’ll guide you through the different steps, share practical insights, and help you grow your network.Emphasis on individuality and artistic ownership
It all starts with finding and embracing your personal voice and artistic identity. I help you gain clarity and confidence to express your own authentic musical self.
Lesson Topics:
Vocal Technique
Repertoire Coaching
Audition Preparation
Career Guidance
Language Instruction
Competition Preparation
German Opera System
International Taxes
Teaching Philosophy:
Teaching, to me, is collaboration.
Lessons naturally depend on a student’s level. For beginners, learning the basics and building a strong technical foundation is essential. Beyond that, my goal is to set impulses, ask questions, and help you discover what you want to express. Not simply out of servitude, but because I deeply believe, through years of international study and work with extraordinary musicians, that in the end, everything comes down to your personal why.
Technical perfection, if such a thing even exists, is a fascinating and endless pursuit. I do believe there are fundamentals that make great singing great singing. At the same time, so much in the arts is subjective, shaped by taste and peer review. Through studying and working extensively in the United States, Europe, and Asia, I’ve found great joy in observing how different cultures define what is tasteful, stylistically appropriate, or “correct.” And ultimately, none of us can pick up the phone and call Mozart, Beethoven, or Wagner. Accuracy, when pursued blindly, can be the death of creativity and inspiration.
I’ve been deeply moved by artists, some of whom never attended a conservatory in their lives. Many of the most compelling artists of our time are far from perfect. At a certain point, it may be precisely our so-called “mistakes” that set us apart.
Much of the music we perform today was written by composers long gone. Because of that, it is even more important to find a personal why, a reason beyond “I like this piece.” Why did I choose this song? What is it about? In what context was it written, and does that context matter today? What does it mean to me now, and what does it mean to others? How can I draw on my own experiences and emotions to not merely perform, but to share something genuine?
I believe it is this work, this search for meaning, that touches audiences. It is what elevates a performance beyond entertainment to a shared humanity, connecting us not only with listeners today, but with those who lived hundreds of years before us.
Rates:
60-minute lesson: $125
45-minute lesson: $100
30-minute lesson: $70
New students are invited to book a complimentary 15-minute consultation.
In Their Words:
“Dennis ist ein begnadeter Gesangslehrer. Ich nehme jetzt seit knapp zwei Jahren Unterricht bei ihm, in denen ich gefühlt sehr große Fortschritte gemacht habe. Es sind zwei Dinge, die mir besonders gefallen: Erstens führt er einen während des Einsingens sehr strukturiert in die Gesangstechnik ein und vermittelt somit Sicherheit und Erfolgserlebnisse. Zweitens geht es, auch wenn wir durchaus sehr kleinteilig an einem Lied arbeiten, von der ersten Stunde an in erster Linie um die musikalische Gestaltung und den Text: Welche Geschichte will ich mit meinem Lied erzählen? Was bedeutet sie für mich? Wie kann ich das singend vermitteln? Das ist oft ziemlich herausfordernd, manchmal auch durchaus frustrierend, wollen sich doch meine vielen technischen Baustellen gern in den Vordergrund drängen. Aber natürlich gilt: Lernen ohne Herausforderungen ist ein Ding der Unmöglichkeit! Und das Allerwichtigste dabei ist, dass wir somit nicht das eigentliche Ziel aus den Augen verlieren, nämlich wirklich Musik zu machen und ihren Reichtum auszuloten. All dies geschieht in einer entspannt-humorvollen Atmosphäre mit viel anspornendem, wohlwollendem Zuspruch. Ich genieße die Stunden immer sehr.” — Johanna Zweifel