Teaching,  Workshops & CLINICS

Four decades of professional performance. 23 years of university teaching. 

Adria Firestone working with young performers at Wharton Summer programs.


 You were a total success. Our students were inspired and enlightened by your wealth of knowledge in vocal performance and physical relaxation. I saw the difference in my own voice studio as my students began to practice more and became more intense
with their vocal studies.”

— Michael Rorex, Professor, Northwestern State University


University Teaching

New Jersey City University
Department of Music, Dance & Theatre | Adjunct Faculty, 2003–2026

Adria Firestone brings four decades of international performance experience into the classroom. Her teaching integrates voice, body, character, interpretation, confidence, and professional discipline—
preparing students not only to perform, but to build sustainable lives in the arts.

Music & Vocal Performance

Applied voice
Acting for singers
Vocal interpretation and phrasing
Stage presence
Audition preparation.
Freedom from performance anxiety

 Theatre & Professional Development

Acting
Movement for actors.
Speech for performance
Character development
Theatre and performance history
Career development for artists

Teaching in Action

Whether working with university performers or emerging young artists, Adria creates a supportive, demanding environment in which students take risks, release fear, and discover more truthful, expressive work.

New Jersey City University
University voice, acting & performance master class

Kearny High School, 2025 
Performance workshop with emerging artists

What My Colleagues Say


“The most exciting thing is that the students were talking so much about why they sing and what is important about singing. They were really jazzed by your performance and your discussion in the master class.”

—Susan Dunn, Voice Faculty

 Duke University


You made a remarkable impact on the students during your visit here... the total honesty you displayed during your master class. Students were honored that you spoke candidly and lovingly embraced them, not speaking down to them or negatively criticizing them.”

—Donald Hartmann, DMA, Professor of Music,

Eastern Michigan University


“She motivated every student to put away their fear, pressure and self-protection, digging out their best work. Prof. Adria is also very knowledgeable and musical; she knows every piece, she was able to talk about each piece and performance issues without using the score.

—Rengpen (Peter) Dong, Piano DMA,

New Jersey City University

What Students Learn

Adria’s teaching bridges professional technique and real-world performance. Her students learn to integrate voice, body, character, interpretation, confidence, and professional discipline. These learning outcomes are available through university instruction, guest teaching, workshops, master classes, and artist residencies.

Performance

Grounded confidence and presence
Freedom from performance fear
Clear, expressive body language
Stillness and listening onstage
Professional behavior on and offstage

Vocal Music

Whole-body vocal expression
Releasing the body and breath
Stage presence
Acting for singers
Interpretation and phrasing

Drama & Theatre 

Breath for projection and expression
Creating believable characters
Trusting scene partners
Using the full stage space
Physical training for actors expression

Student Achievement & Mentorship


From My Classroom to the National Stage

American Idol Golden Ticket recipient
First Prize, Amateur Night at the Apollo
Finalist on The Voice—once publicly cleared
Full-tuition graduate fellowships at Rice University and Indiana University
Teacher of the Year
Professional achievement in performance and music education

Presented at Duke University, Northwestern State University, Lincoln Center, the National University of Singapore, Dubai English Speaking School, NATS, NJMEA, and institutions internationally.

Adria Firestone with Sydney Millevoi and her
American Idol Golden Ticket

Bring Adria to Your Students

Available for university teaching, workshops, master classes, guest lectures, adjudication, and private performance coaching.

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