Where Technique Meets Transformation
David Sabella is a celebrated artist and master voice teacher whose studio is a space where technical excellence becomes the foundation for artistic breakthrough. With a career that spans opera, Broadway, cabaret, and voice-over, he brings unparalleled depth and versatility to his teaching. Renowned for his four-octave countertenor voice and praised by Luciano Pavarotti as “Excellent, not good. Excellent,” Sabella has graced the stages of Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Broadway. Whether originating the role of Mary Sunshine in the Tony Award-winning revival of Chicago or earning accolades for his cabaret alter ego “Amanda Reckonwith,” Sabella’s experience as a dynamic performer shapes the transformative journey he offers every student.
As an internationally recognized voice teacher and vocal pedagogue, Sabella has shaped the next generation of performers through appointments at NYU Tisch, Montclair State University, and as President of the New York Singing Teachers’ Association. He is a pioneering researcher in contemporary commercial music (CCM) vocal technique, specifically the high belt voice, and co-author of So You Want to Sing Cabaret. His unique approach blends classical discipline with the demands of modern performance, helping students find their truest sound and strongest expression. Whether working with Broadway hopefuls, classical singers, or genre-defying artists, Sabella’s teaching is rooted in the belief that great artistry begins with great technique—and flourishes with authenticity, curiosity, and joy.
Before David, I was a dancer who could hold a tune, now I am a singer, dancer, AND actor who has the desire and ability to go into any type of audition. I have gained my confidence not only as a vocal technician, but also as a performer. David also coached me through a vocal injury that brought me back to full vocal health and beyond. He’s a wizard!!!
Alexis Cara (The Pirate King, Wicked, Sweet Charity, Fame)
Vocal Technique / Performance
Lessons for every goal
Voice Technique and Vocal performance sessions (45 or 60 minutes) offered weekly, or as needed. The session is formatted to the student’s needs, with a combination of technical exercises (Breathing, Registration, Resonance Strategy, and Articulation) and repertoire coaching, including phrasing, lyric connection, pronunciation & literary and/or historical context.
All lessons are given onlinE
David Sabella has been a leader in the delivery of online lessons since 2007. During the pandemic of 2020, he was called upon by the National Association of Teachers of Singing to conduct online workshops and master classes, helping thousands of teachers across the US learn how to deliver online lessons efficiently and effectively.
Fees
United States Economy
Single Voice Lesson: 60 minute – $150 USD
Single Voice Lesson: 45 Minute – $115.00 USD
4 Voice Lesson Package: Four 60 Minute Lessons – $500 USD
4 Voice Lesson Package: Four 45 Minute Lessons – $400 USD
Lesson Packages must be used within 6 weeks of purchase
For International Economies, all session fees are priced accordingly for each international economy, in MXN, CAN, EUR, etc. US prices are listed here. Please ask for pricing in your country.
“The more I encounter other voice teachers, the more I realize what an exceptionally gifted instructor you are.”
Eleanor England
Acting | Music Theory | Career Coaching
Acting/Directing
As an award winning, 40-year theater professional, on music theater, classical music and non-music theater stages, David offers private and group classes in Acting, Scene Study, and Audition Preparation. Per hour rates apply for all group and private classes. Ask for more details.
Directorial fees are negotiated per project. Standard 60–70-minute Cabaret shows range from $1000 – $1500 per project, ($100 per hour, with a ten-hour minimum). Ask for more details.
Applied Music Theory
Applied Music Theory is the synthesis of musical phrasing and the actor’s intention. Everything that happens in the music, happens because YOUR character said, felt, thought, or did something to make it happen. The music is therefore a reaction to your character’s inner life, and all the data you need to figure out the character is right there in the music. Don’t just see the accidental, or the rest, or key change, figure out WHY they exist. Through Applied Music Theory you’ll not only learn to identify all the musical events by notation, but also (and more importantly) what they mean to your character. Book a session JUST for this purpose, and at a lower rate than a technical voice lesson ($100 USD per hour; US economy rate).
Career Coaching
David Sabella has been mentoring young talent for decades. It is part of every lesson (up to a point). But sometimes you need a strategy session about how to realize both short and long-term goals. How to get from “here” to “there” the most professional and efficient way, and how to see the bigger picture of your career in 2 years, 5 years, and even 10 years.
Book a session JUST for this purpose, and at a lower rate than a technical voice lesson ($100 USD per hour; US economy rate).
Online Lessons
David Sabella has been a leader in the delivery of online lessons since 2007. During the pandemic of 2020, he was called upon by the National Association of Teachers of Singing to conduct online workshops and master classes, helping thousands of teachers across the US learn how to deliver online lessons efficiently and effectively.
Now more than ever, it is completely possible to have a professional voice lesson LIVE online (in real-time and in sync) from a remote location, no matter where you live or where your professional engagements may take you.
Whether across town or across the globe, students experience a seamless and synchronous voice lesson using a combination of advanced yet simple-to-use technologies.
WHAT YOU NEED:
● A COMPUTER: with WiFi or Ethernet access.
● A WEBCAM: separate, or built into your computer.
● A MICROPHONE: separate, or built into your computer (separate is best).
● INTERNET MIDI: A program by www.timewarptech.com which connects our two computers together, so that what I play on my keyboard comes immediately, (without latency/delay) through your speakers, or keyboard.
Although not necessary, if you happen to have an electric keyboard we can connect our keyboards together using INTERNET MIDI. This sends midi data (not audio transmission) at the speed of light, not the speed of sound, and will re-create the experience of me, playing your keyboard in your room, and you singing along to live music. If you don’t have an electric keyboard, then the sound will simply come through your speakers in the same way.
HOW WE CONNECT:
No matter your current level of technology, it is extremely easy to connect and have a synchronous online lesson using this “proprietary blend” of technologies:
● Zoom – for video (any video program will work, Google Meet, FaceTime, etc)
● Cleanfeed.net – for high Fidelity, low-latency, audio transmission, and recording. (I provide this lik for each lesson)
● Internet Midi – for piano accompaniment, without latency.
With these technologies in place, the lesson occurs normally. I play the scales and you sing along in real time/no latency. I also have thousands of song and aria accompaniment midi files. Internet Midi will play these files and you will sing along as if I were in your room!
WITHOUT A DOUBT, YOU CAN DO THIS. LET’S SING!