Audrey McDonald

About

Audrey McDonald, founder of Forte Vocal Academy in Santa Cruz, began receiving private vocal instruction at an extremely young age. By age 15 she had already won opera performance competitions at statewide, national, and international levels, helped spearhead the development of the Northern California Select Jazz Ensemble, and was competing in a four-part jazz a cappella group. During the next five years, Audrey honed her skills with extensive training at Aptos Academy of Music with private instruction from founder Susan Swenson. At age 20, she auditioned and was accepted into Los Angeles Music Academy, where she trained directly with Michael Jackson's vocal director, Dorian Holley. She moved to Taiwan where she performed daily at Le Fu, and has continued to perform locally at venues including The Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival Nightly Musical, Cabaret Theater West, and local operas such as Cosi Fan Tutti. Better known online as Songs From A Suitcase, Audrey established Forte Vocal Academy nine years ago with fellow vocal coach Danny Diaz.

Education & Qualifications

Trained at Aptos Academy of Music with Susan Swenson; Los Angeles Music Academy graduate; Direct training with Dorian Holley (Michael Jackson's vocal director); State, national, and international opera competition winner

Teaching Styles