TESTIMONIALS

Sara Andreas (Broadway and first national road tours of Catch Me if You Can, The Addams Family, Legally Blonde and many others)

"The reason I have a carreer in musical theater is because in the 7th grade, a friend's mother took me to see Mr. Schaier's production of Singing in the Rain at Hamilton High School. I remember then and there knowing instantly that this is what I wanted to do with my life. Rich is an amazing teacher, one who always manages to get the best out of his students. This point becomes obvious when you realize the caliber of talent he has been integral in cultivating. So many of us have gone onto successful careers in Theatre, TV and Film. I know I speak for all of his students when I say Thank you Mr. Schraier!"

Banu Gibson (Recording Artist & International Performance Artist)

"Let’s get right to it…. There just ain’t anybody better, and if there is, you either can’t afford them or they’re dead. Rich has trained, worked with, or knows an incredible group of singers and entertainers in the music industry. His creditsspeak for themselves but just look at the number of his vocalists who are leads in musical theater, or successfully working in the business says enough on its own.

When I am recording a new CD he usually receives the final mix to review for me. I credit him as my musical conscience on my CDs. He may get a call while I’m in the studio on a phrasing question or “do you think I should pronounce it this way, or that?” Rich not only brings his wonderful teaching ability, support and enthusiasm to his work, but an incredible knowledge of music that coversthe Great American Songbook, and every song in every musical ever produced (plus the songs that were cut).

He also tailors material for the singer, probably one of the most important aspect and talents he has.

Just hooking into his network and connections is invaluable. OK, can you tell I’m a fan. Wether you are hoping for a career as a singer or just want to improve as a vocalist Rich Schraier is your 'go to' guy.

You can check out more of who I am at www.Banugibson.com but a brief overview of the highlights of my career have been: Singing with my band with the Boston Pops as their only guest for the Millennium

Singing at the Hollywood Bowl with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra with John Marceri conducting (& Rich in the audience). Performing on a Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor. Headlining at performing arts centers across the country, Touring overseas to England, France, Ireland, Norway, Australia, Austria, Japan, Sweden, and Germany and choreographing some of Rich shows while I was working in California."

Benjie Randall

"Rich is one of, if not the best vocal and performance coach I have ever had. His attention to detail, passion for perfection, and determination to get the very best performance out of a student is unparalleled. He creates a personal coaching curriculum based on the vocal style and type of performer he is working with. His wealth of knowlege, both of music theory and musical theater rep is a hugely valuable asset. He not only challenges a performer to be their very best, but he inspires artists to chase their dreams and take advantage of every opportunity available to them. I will always attribute my successes to lessons learned from Rich."

Austin Lesch (Broadway: Billy Elliot, Violet, Off Broadway: Altar Boyz)

Recently featured as a pirate on the TV special Peter Pan Live and soon to be seen in the new Broadway musical, SOMETHING ROTTEN, opening in April.

"For over 15 years, Rich has been a major factor in my success as an actor. With his vast knowledge of the musical theater canon, top notch musicianship, and excellent coaching abilities, Rich is an asset for anyone looking to fulfill their potential as a performer."

Bernard Dotson (Imaginary Friends, Sweet Smell of Success, Ragtime, Chicago)

"Before I moved to New York City, I studied under Rich Schraier in California. Early on he gave me the tools I needed to be a strong singer, to understand my voice and the music I was singing. Rich cares about his students and provides them with the knowledge they need to succeed in this extremely competitive business. He goes far and beyond the call of duty to make sure you are prepared for all of your auditions.

With the invaluable information I received from his teachings, I am now known as a song and dance man and have been seen in 6 Broadway shows. The original revival of “Finian’s Rainbow”, “Chicago, The Musical”, the original cast of “Imaginary Friends”, the original cast of “Sweet Smell Of Success, the original revival of “Jesus Christ Superstar”, and the original cast of the Tony Award Winning Musical “Ragtime” In fact, several of his students go on to National Tours and perform in Broadway shows. Rich is one of the best teachers I’ve ever known and I can still call on him for his advice and expertise."

Katie Campbell (True North, Toxic Audio, Sheryl Crow, Seth MacFarlane, Michael Bublé)

"My name is Katie Campbell and I’m a professional singer from Los Angeles. I’ve worked in many areas of the music business, including subbing for Cheryl Bentyne in The Manhattan Transfer, singing on Bobby McFerrin’s GRAMMY-nominated CD VOCAbuLarieS, backing up artists including Sheryl Crow, Seth MacFarlane, and Michael Bublé, performing off-Broadway with a cappella group Toxic Audio, and singing on television shows and film scores. I’ve also released my own solo project, sing with vocal group True North and other jazz ensembles, and teach private voice and piano lessons.

Rich Schraier was one of my high school teachers. He has a broad skill set, but what stands out to me most is his commitment to educating singers, improving their musicianship. Rich helps singers develop skills in music theory, ear training, and sight-singing by working on the following:

Interval identification and aural recognition
Chord quality identification and aural recognition
Diatonic harmony – theory and application
Musicianship-supporting piano skills

I studied piano for seven years before Rich was my teacher, but his teaching helped me put concepts that I intellectually understood into practice. My sight-singing abilities improved and I learned how to practically apply music theory. To say that these skills have served me well would be an understatement. They are part of my everyday, professional life as a singer and educator."

Elvira Barjau (International Performing Artist & Recording Artist)

"I am often complimented on my work ethic, attention to detail, preparation, flexibility and ability with taking and applying direction quickly; all things that I learned when I studied musical theatre, voice and vocal jazz singing with Rich Schraier (he expected that from everyone); qualities that helped get me into Berklee College of Music where I furthered my studies in contemporary and jazz singing. Beyond that, the qualities and skills I learned from Rich Schraier helped me obtain - and maintain - a performance career that has taken me all over the world performing in musical theatre and performing, and recording with, some of the finest musicians around, all the while holding my own as a musician. It has been a dream come true and that journey started with Rich Schraier as my teacher and coach. I thank Rich for helping me become more than "just a singer" (we all cringe whenever we hear that). Rich Schraier goes above and beyond coaching, helping you understand chords and theory - as it relates to your songs - and helping you become a better sight reader (comes in handy in recording sessions......time is money, people!). He makes it fun and easy to understand and that helps to make your interpretations of songs that much better. I can confidently say that the skills I have learned from Rich Schraier have helped me book jobs......jobs that have helped me sustain a satisfying and lucrative career. Working with Rich has given me that "edge" that is priceless. I am beyond grateful to Rich and continue to seek him out for coaching whenever I am in town working on a cabaret/concert or recording project."

Chloe Tucker (Mamma Mia!)

"After seeing my first performance of a Hamilton Academy of Music show at 4 years old, what I wanted more than anything in my young life was to attend that school and perform on that stage. I vividly remember my mother pointing to a man and telling me that if I want to be a performer, he had to think I was talented. That man was Rich Schraier.

All through elementary and middle school, I couldn’t wait for the day to come to enter ninth grade! Much to my disappointment, I was not cast in either of the shows that year. But, we were taught never to get discouraged, but to keep honing our craft. The day finally came a year later when the audition process led to a role, I quickly learned that all the talk and all the hype about Mr. Schraier was real. A true professional, he treated us like we were actors in a Broadway show and expected the absolute most out of us every single day. We were taught what it meant to be disciplined performers and to come to all rehearsals prepared. Because of him, I learned not only the art of acting but the importance of dedication, hard work and plenty of practice.

After I graduated, I realized that his mentorship was invaluable and started taking weekly private lessons. With his support and guidance, I felt confident enough to go to my first open call. It was for the National tour of “Mamma Mia!” and I booked the lead role of Sophie Sheridan! After two years on the road, I moved to NY to get back into classes and sharpen my skills to hopefully book my next major part. Once I started auditioning, I could feel something was missing. And what was missing was Rich (we called him that once we became “adults.”). I packed up my bags and moved back to LA so that I could continue to work with him privately. With his vast knowledge of theater and songs both traditional and current, he helped me put together a knockout audition book full of songs perfectly tailored to me, and made sure each and every song in my repertoire was not only sung well, but more importantly, performed with layers of truth and authenticity.

After six months of training one to two times a week with Rich Schraier, I was soon cast in the lead role in the Pre-Broadway production of “Chasing the Song” from the Tony Award winning creators of “Memphis.” Needless to say, when it was time to leave for rehearsals, I was extremely well prepared and very up to the task and challenges working on a new musical brings.

Rich Schraier has been my teacher and mentor for as long as I can remember and I can say with absolute certainty that I wouldn’t be where I am today without him as a coach. He is a true gift to the theater community and working with him is not only an absolute gift but a MUST for anyone trying to make it in the world of theater! "

Reeve Carney (Broadway: Spider-Man)

"One often only hopes in the course of a lifetime that one might find themselves under the guidance of a teacher as talented, passionate, nurturing and tenacious as Richard Schraier... I had the privilege of studying musical theatre under him, and also watching him work, putting on show after mind altering show at the Hamilton Academy of Music in Los Angeles- a program he founded in 1987. His relentlessness in striving toward greatness is a quality I found myself particularly drawn to and inspired by, in those formatives years. I honestly don't know where I'd be without him... So grateful for the opportunity to have worked with a man who so effortlessly walks that artistic line between gravitas and inspiration. Thank you, thank you, thank you Rich!! For all that you've instilled in me."