My life as a musician began early: At age 3, they put me on a church platform and I sang. I began piano lessons at age 4, voice lessons at 15, continuing both beyond my years at Whitman College where I majored in English literature and education. I opened my teaching studio in 1983 and over the years have found I prefer teaching to performing. I like directing. Having my back to the audience seems enough to satisfy the prima donna in me.

My teaching style is student-centered because it has been both my observation and my experience that we learn best when we have the freedom to follow the trail of what interests and excites us. I believe that learning only takes place when we are engaged in a process that has meaning for us. I believe we all have a compelling and unique internal path that is ours to discover if we hope to feel alive.

The philosophy that I bring to the OK Chorale is a belief that music is meant to be made by everyone, no matter how well or badly. Technological advances that can produce near perfect recordings have also produced so much performance anxiety that ordinary people are afraid to express the music within them because they don't feel they measure up. A beautiful sound is unleashed when people are not afraid to make a mistake and to open up and sing.

Contact the OK Chorale at
elenarich@gmail.com