Dennis Collins (Voice) is a singer/performer who works in the music and entertainment industry as a much sought after ‘voice for hire’ and consummate professional. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he attended the prestigious public college preparatory Cass Technical High School and Oakland University, where he majored in Music Education and Voice.

As an educator, he developed and implemented a music program for grades K–8 at a small independent school for children with learning differences. The program included the basic fundamentals of music, introduction to the orchestra, chorus, sight-singing, and beginning piano. He has done workshops at West Hill High School and Cloonan Middle School in Stamford. He has also created Precision Performance Education & Enrichment, a program designed to teach students life skills, discipline and self-esteem through the arts.

He has extensive experience as a singer, arranger, vocal coach and producer, and performs a wide range of musical genres, including classical, pop and jazz. He has recorded and performed with numerous acclaimed artists, orchestras and has toured internationally.

Dennis Collins believes that music is essential to the human spirit in bringing balance to one’s life, as a player or a listener. A good teacher of music must meet students where they are, and enjoy developing their talent, as well as stimulating their artistic growth.

Rachel Cohen (Piano and Voice) has a B.A. in Music from Manhattanville College and is currently a graduate student at Columbia University. She began her piano studies with her father at age seven and began studying with Linda Herring at age nine. She continued through high school with Marilyn Sophos in her hometown of Dobbs Ferry, NY. At Manhattanville she studied with Francis Brancaleone. In her senior year, she won the music department’s concerto competition with Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor and was the recipient of the David Fromkin Award, giving her the opportunity to perform with the Manhattanville Community Orchestra. She also participated in Chamber Ensembles and gave various performances in the department. She has worked professionally as an accompanist, most notably for Jenna’s Dream Choir in Yorktown Heights, NY. Performances included the Westchester Choral Festival and Broadway Sings for Jenna’s Dream. She currently studies with Michael Skelly at Columbia and is in a two-piano ensemble coached by Yelena Grinberg.

Rachel has studied vocally in both the classical and popular styles. She studied opera with JennyRebecca Walker and musical theater/pop with Rosemary Loar. She has a substantial musical theater background and participated in a Professional Summer Intensive at NYU’s CAP21 Studio in 2007. At Manhattanville, she sang with the Choir and the Selective Women’s Chamber Choir, and also participated in the theater department’s Cabaret workshop and performances.

In her teaching, Rachel provides a positive and encouraging atmosphere. She focuses on each student’s individual needs. Her primary goal for all students is cultivating a love of music and helping students grow in technique and musicality. Rachel has taught all levels and age groups and welcomes beginners, advanced players/singers, and everything in between.