Business Details
Singer-Songwriter & Music Educator in SF Bay Area
Adrienne Shamszad is a singer-songwriter and music educator rooted in the SF Bay Area, blending American Roots and Mystic Soul traditions. With over two decades of experience, she crafts revolutionary anthems, soulful ballads, and cross-cultural compositions inspired by folk, rock, R&B, and Iranian musical heritage. A two-time recipient of the Living Cultures Grant from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts, Adrienne has performed at prestigious venues like the Berkeley Repertory Theater and collaborated with renowned artists such as Mahsa Vahdat and the KITKA Womens Vocal Ensemble.Her teaching philosophy emphasizes vocal liberation, technical mastery, and emotional connection, serving students from teens to seasoned professionals. Adriennes work bridges cultural divides, offering healing through music and fostering artistic growth with integrity and passion.
Services
Private Voice Lessons
Songwriting Coaching
Guitar Instruction
Musical Healing
Group Classes
Performance Workshops
Highlights and features
- We offer over 20 years of expertise in vocal and songwriting instruction.
- Our unique cross-cultural approach blends American Roots and Iranian musical traditions.
- We provide personalized, trauma-informed music healing sessions.
- Our students have gained confidence and technical mastery through tailored lessons.
- We combine performance experience with deep pedagogical training.
Associations and certifications
- Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA)
What people say
Liberated my voice
Tailored lessons
Therapeutic approach
Patient coach
Unique voice
Services
Private Voice Lessons
Personalized voice instruction focusing on technical mastery and emotional expression. Students develop breath control, resonance, and vocal health while exploring genres from folk to classical. Lessons emphasize confidence-building and artistic authenticity for performers, actors, and hobbyists. Our approach combines Western and Iranian vocal traditions for holistic growth.
Songwriting Coaching
Guided songwriting sessions to overcome creative blocks and refine lyrical storytelling. Students learn chord progression techniques, melodic structure, and thematic development. Instruction emphasizes fearless self-expression and transforming personal narratives into compelling music. Ideal for emerging artists seeking to develop their unique sound and message.
Musical Healing
Voice-centered healing sessions that reconnect students with their authentic expression. Combines breathwork, vocal exercises, and emotional exploration to address trauma and stress. Helps students reclaim vocal power through compassionate, body-positive practices. Designed for those seeking personal growth alongside technical development.
Guitar Instruction
Intermediate-level guitar coaching focused on songwriting accompaniment and performance skills. Covers advanced strumming patterns, fingerpicking, and improvisation techniques. Students learn to integrate vocal-guitar coordination while developing their compositional voice. Not suitable for absolute beginners.
Group Classes
Collaborative learning experiences in vocal ensemble singing and songwriting circles. Participants explore harmony, group dynamics, and collective creativity. Classes emphasize community building through shared musical expression while maintaining individual technical growth. Suitable for all skill levels seeking peer interaction.
People
Adrienne Shamszad
Owner & Lead Instructor
A singer-songwriter with 20+ years of teaching experience, Adrienne blends Western and Iranian musical traditions. She studied under Zachary Gordin (classical vocal technique) and Mahsa Vahdat (Iranian vocal tradition), and holds a degree in music from Sonoma State University. Her pedagogy emphasizes vocal liberation and emotional authenticity.
Questions
What music styles do you teach?
I specialize in blending American Roots (folk, rock, R&B) with Iranian classical traditions, but adapt to students' preferred genres.
Do you teach beginners?
I accept intermediate guitar students and all vocal levels, focusing on technical refinement rather than basic instruction.
How do you incorporate healing into lessons?
Through breathwork, trauma-informed vocal exercises, and emotional expression techniques that connect physical and artistic growth.
What makes your teaching approach unique?
Combining cross-cultural musical heritage with personalized lesson plans that address both technical and emotional aspects of performance.
Can lessons help with performance anxiety?
Yes, we use confidence-building exercises and mindfulness techniques to reduce stage fright while improving technical skills.
Do you offer online lessons?
Yes, virtual sessions maintain the same personalized approach as in-person instruction for voice and songwriting.
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