Brenda Duncan Biography

music educator, public speaker, performing & recording artist

Brenda Duncan, runs her own private studio, Brenda Duncan Music Studio, along with Music Staff Studio, which involves herself with other teachers who offer group classes (see Classes, Workshops, Summer Camps, Retreats and Special Projects), and now expands to offer e-courses (web-based presentations, downloads & teleclasses) for artistic development coming in late 2007-2008.

Her private students, primarily in Austin, Texas, learn to use their musical skill to serve their community by promoting goodwill and charitable causes, performing publicly at nursing homes, hospitals and special fundraisers for non-profit groups.

Brenda Duncan, owner of Music Staff Studio, began in 1983 educating music students of all ages, teaching them how to make music with the human voice and the piano. She is joined by a great teaching staff who believes the process of learning to play an instrument naturally engages much more than the physical (or technical) aspects of playing or singing a piece of music. Music Staff Studio's educational mission is to enrich the lives of families by incorporating the study of music with personal growth and matters of the heart.

 Music Staff Studio's philosophy of teaching extends into fostering the student's personal growth such as social, emotional & spiritual connections with their family and friends. Some of the music "homework" requires the family to participate with the student, challenging the student to "teach" their knowledge to a sibling, neighbor or parent. This bonding and sharing of the student's love and knowledge of music, engages these students towards becoming more responsible, confident, considerate, patient and caring individuals in our society, while pursuing their musical endeavors.

Music Staff Studio offers the following:

Kids and Teens enjoy their summer break in a day camp setting, taking exciting field trips to outdoor concerts in the park, recording studios and have the special opportunities to observe professional rehearsals with bands and symphony orchestras.

Adults go away for a weekend retreat to develop their creative, artistic side in beautiful, nature settings outside of Austin, Texas.

Special projects have included auditions for special performance groups: Voice on Track (High School/Adult), Vocal Motion Kids, Class Piano Bands, Christmas Albums, Music Videos and Songwriter groups.

Classes & Workshops

Our most popular class is the Performance Classes for Singers, designed to overcome stage fright, prepare your act; costume, choreography, delivery style and improve singing technique in a group voice class setting.

Our most popular workshop, "Confident Artist" prepares any performing artist (musician/actor/dancer) for entering the professional marketplace as an artist and entrepreneur by exploring the career avenues and how to get into each arena of music. Important business tips, such as getting your demo and press kit together and other marketing and networking solutions are revealed from seasoned musicians, actors, directors and music industry insiders.

This information proved to be so valuable, that an artist's website was created, www.confidentartist.com , to reference valuable music performance tips, business resourses, classes, audition postings, health, wellness and personal development for the performing artist.

Brenda Duncan, an experienced music educator, has served as a Director of church and school choirs, leading and organizing variety shows & musicals, and has helped choral directors, leading the teaching of group workshops & clinics, to prepare students for UIL choral, solo & ensemble competitions. She teaches private & group classes in piano and voice, encouraging students of all ages to find their true artistry.

As a public speaker, performing & recording artist, Duncan continues to compose & arrange music, record and perform professionally, both as a musician, narrator, & public speaker.

Duncan offers free demonstrations and presentations to teachers of all subjects, to illustrate to students how music and other learning disciplines are interrelated. Samples of her free class topics of exploration include: Music is Science, Music is Medicine, Music is Math, Music is Culture, Music is Athletic, Music is Health/Wellness, Music is a Social Skill. She can be reached at her home office in Austin, Texas by calling 512-837-9499, or contacted by e-mail by writing to: brendad78@hotmail.com

Duncan completed her education by writing her own degree plan, approved by the college's education board and Dean of Arts & Sciences, while on a music scholarship at Texas Tech University as an honor student on the Dean's List. Her unique degree plan merged the requirements of music performance and music education majors with mass communications degree plans in speech, public relations, advertising, photography, radio & television production.