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Marion van den Akker

alt-mezzo and vocal teaching

Vocal coaching

16 February 2016 By admin

Some singing information

©Maurice Lammerts van BuerenCoaching

After a wonderful, 40 year career of singing all possible disciplines including opera, lied and oratorio as well as the great adventure of contemporary music, having found my own voice and  discovered all the possibilities it presents, I feel the need to coach classical singers more and more.

Technique

I work in a manner I have developed myself, ultimately extremely rewarding: clearly traditional in the use of the vocal cords, position of the vocal box, treatment of vowels, respiration, vibration and resonance, legato, phrasing and flexibility of the voice, an open throat, passaggio, tongue position, support and breath control.

Repertoire and more

Care in the pronunciation of different languages (Italian, French, German, Russian and English) is fundamental. Together with my pianists Aleg Tryfanenkau, Jeroen Sarphati and Victoria Dmitrieva, I/we  work on opera, songs, oratorio and modern music, all the repertoire that is key to becoming a truly all round classical singer.

Multifaceted artist

Mezzo-soprano Marion van den Akker is a multifaceted artist. She gave master classes on the songs of Schumann, Liszt, Strauss Brahms and lectures on the oeuvre of the Canadian composer Claude Vivier and the Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina.
Marion van den Akker founded the series ‘Royaal Vocaal’ in 2005 in the Nieuwe Kerk (The Hague).

She is a singing teacher and performer.
Marion van den Akker is programmer of the Chamber music series ‘Klassiekintveen’ at the concert farm “Onder de Linden” where she also produces chamber opera’s and runs a recording studio.
Marion van den Akker was head of the vocal department and vocal teacher at the Prins Claus conservatorium until September 2014. Recently Marion van den Akker has a private vocal school together with her accompanist /pianist Jeroen Sarphati.

Never give up!
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Class august 2018 with Boudewijn Jansen conductor
on Rosenkavalier trio by R. Strauss and Marion as vocal coach.


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Class august 2017 with Antony Hermus conductor and Marion vocal coach!

Class august 2016 with conductor Ed Spanjaard, conductor Antony Hermus and Marion  vocal coach

Class july 2016 with Jos Groenier director, Jeroen Sarphati and William Shaw piano.
Work, walks, talks  and good food!

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Class July 2016 with Jos Groenier director and  Jeroen Sarphati piano

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Class 2015 warming ups in nature

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relaxing
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stabat ‘maters’
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class Groningen 2014

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FotoJeroenSarphati

JEROEN SARPHATI 

Jeroen Sarphati studied piano with Jan Wijn and Song Accompaniment with Rudolf Jansen at the Amsterdam Conservatory. He took masterclasses with singers like Barbara Bonney and Robert Holl, and with accompanists like Roger Vignoles and Irwin Gage. He won the Concertgebouw Vriendenkrans Competition twice, and performed at several international venues like the Brussels Opera de la Monnaie, the Hermitage at St. Petersburg, and the Grand Opera de Bordeaux. He played at the Festival of Flanders and the Festival of Aix en Provence, and performed at the Concertgebouw with Elly Ameling and Maarten Koningsberger. He’s had a long standing collaboration with Marion van den Akker, in performing as well as in teaching together. Jeroen Sarphati has also directed and translated operas for several Dutch opera companies.

Alt-Mezzo
Artistic direction

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Welcome

Thank you for visiting my website. You'll find a lot of information about me and about my vocal, educational and organisational capabilities. If you'd like to know more about me, don't hesitate and send me a mail through the contact page on this website.
Come back often, since I will update regularly and keep you posted about my schedule and activities.

  • Dirigent Boudewijn JansenDirigent Boudewijn Jansen

    "Marion is één van die zeldzame artiesten die hun gehele artistieke, vakmatige en menselijke persoonlijkheid niet alleen delen met het publiek, maar ook met aankomende musici. Hier leer je: een goede zanger toont je zijn hart." boudewijnjansen.nl

     

     

  • Arash Roozbehi, baritoneArash Roozbehi, baritone

    " Working with Marion has been like opening a big window. Not only I gained new perspective by experimenting with my voice and body under her supervision. Also I found freedom since I’m finally able to breath. I’m feeling in control because I’ve learned to understand my body and it’s optimal way of functioning. Therefore I trust myself. Marion has proven to have broad knowledge about both singing and teaching singing. Her experiences as an opera singer, teacher and a person, together with her wonderful personality are what make her lessons extraordinary. Marion just catches your interest and total focus. She doesn’t let go. " 

    ArashRoozbehi.com

  • Emilie de Voght, sopranoEmilie de Voght, soprano

    "Marion ne possède non seulement une technique implacable, mais elle arrive également à la transmettre avec précision et dévouement, dévouement tant à l'élève qu'à l'art du chant. Et tout cela avec l'âme d'une musicienne qui supervise le tout." emiliedevoght.com

  • Laura Bohn, sopranoLaura Bohn, soprano

    I remember the first question she asked me was "Do you love your voice?" and this was really remarkable to me - no teacher had ever asked me such a question, and honestly, self love and gentle care of my voice was not what I had been taught by classical teachers in the past. Not only is Marion tuned into this self-respect for the voice and the individual in singing, she is also a fierce technician with a finely tuned ear and dedication to precision and excellence.  I feel more connected to my speaking voice than ever in my classical repertoire after working with her for this past year. laurabohn.com

  • Oxford TimesOxford Times

    ...Brahms' two songs op.91 sung by a mezzo of this quality, what a blissful experience they provided!
    "Die ihr schwebet " brought tears to the eyes...

  • De Telegraaf, NetherlandsDe Telegraaf, Netherlands

    ...verbluffend Russisch klonk de mezzo van Marion van den Akker. Ze boorde diepe Slavische tinten aan en bracht met haar idiomatische voordracht het hart in vervoering...

  • Gennady Rozhdestvensky, RotterdamGennady Rozhdestvensky, Rotterdam

    ... Marion van den Akker in her part as Feodor in "Boris Godunov" by Moussorgski has shown great musicality and an excellent command of the Russian language in the concerto's directed by me on February 5th and 6th, 2000 in the Hague and Amsterdam.

  • Trouw, NetherlandsTrouw, Netherlands

    ... the colorite of van den Akker's voice fits the music ( Brahms Alto Rhapsody) as a glove ... A great achievement, bringing into mind Aafje Heynis' famous interpretation...

  • The Bath Evening Chronicle, BathThe Bath Evening Chronicle, Bath

    ...The warmth of ms. van den Akker's tone, combined with a glorious freedom of melodic line, revealed fresh beauties...

  • The Sunday Times, United KingdomThe Sunday Times, United Kingdom

    ...a voice rich and tender....

  • Eindhovens Dagblad, NetherlandsEindhovens Dagblad, Netherlands

    ...Her fine mezzo voice, radiated and overwhelmed. Her identification with the songs ( Liszt) was heartwarming.....

  • Libération, Casablanca

    Le public qui était venu au Complexe Culturel Sidi Belyout aura apprécié la puissance de voix de l'artiste, son intelligence et sa grande présence sur scene...

  • Everett Porter, producer & engineer PolyhymniaEverett Porter, producer & engineer Polyhymnia

    A great acoustic for playing and recording chamber music in a picturesque dutch rural landscape, complete with high-end recording facilities. polyhymnia.com/names-faces/everett-porter

  • Michel Brandjes, Steinway & Sons techniciMichel Brandjes, Steinway & Sons technici

    The beautiful acoustics in the room immediately make me think of those of the Jesus Christus Kirche in Berlin where Karajan recorded all his Beethoven Symphonies for DGG. michelbrandjes.com

  • Harro Ruijsenaars, cellistHarro Ruijsenaars, cellist

    In Valthermond, Rian de Waal has created an atmosphere that would be worthy of an international festival. It is surprising to find a concert hall in the middle of nowhere that fits seamlessly as a Drenthe gentlemen’s farmhouse in the surrounding landscape and sounds at least as good as the Recital Hall in the Concertgebouw. It is worth every bit of this trip, to speak in Michelin Guide terms.

     

  • Rob Metkemeijer, director Peutz bvRob Metkemeijer, director Peutz bv

    ...a space that is acoustically right without any tricks being applied, with a natural, transparent but also spacious sound that makes it very suitable for chamber music concerts and recordings. The shape is unconventional for a studio or concert hall. That makes the sound distinctive and offers the creative user, musician and sound producer excellent possibilities.

  • Esther Kuiper (2)Esther Kuiper (2)

    These days, when focus and patience seem to be scarce, also in the field of vocal studies, Marion takes a difference by digging deep, helping me to find my path to freedom of vocal and artistic expression.
    She teaches me how to do the neccessary vocal and artistic work and be patient, trusting that real quality will always stand out! She knows exactly how to help build a voice and give you the information and tools how to train your instrument in such a defined and detailed way, that I never experienced with any other teacher before. She never looses the big picture and adapts her teaching to the particular person she is working with. I feel truly blessed to have met Marion and to be able to work with her. estherkuiper.nl

  • Esther Kuiper (1)Esther Kuiper (1)

    For me, working with Marion means getting closer everyday to freedom of expression and being able to perform and share musical art in a honest, personal and fearless way. Keeping this artistic goal in mind, we come across all different aspects that are part of building a voice, a stage personality and a singing career. For all these matters I trust Marion's advice, for she is a true artist with lots of experience as an allround classical singer on the highest level, with great artistic vision, extensive technical know-how, and a great sense of humour. estherkuiper.nl

  • Fennique KejaFennique Keja

    De kracht van Marion ligt in haar heel scherpe oordeelsvorming en juiste gevoel ten aanzien van de kwaliteit van zingen, muzikaliteit en persoonlijkheid. Ze laat een leerling groeien door telkens zowel technisch als muzikaal, het juiste aspect aan te pakken wat op dat moment nodig is. Daarbij kan ze haar diepgaande kennis halen uit een onuitputtelijke bron van haar rijke zangersleven. Ze stimuleert de ontwikkeling van een zanger niet alleen als zanger maar vanuit een ruime blik als mens in het geheel, om zo uit te groeien tot een persoonlijkheid. Haar enorme professionaliteit laat hierbij geen concessies toe.

  • Ruth WillemseRuth Willemse

    She is a real artist an gives tons of inspiration on the musical side and support on the difficult sides of being an artist, being a singer. She has used her network where she could and helped me further on the "market". I wouldn't be where I am now without her stable technique lessons, her ongoing support and the example of her powerful personality. ruthwillemse.com




mezzo-soprano@marionvandenakker.com
Marion van den Akker

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