Great music performances are rooted in connection. When we connect to our audience, ourselves, and the music we interpret, our performances come alive and create hope, joy, power, and community. ModernTone Studios invites you to participate in an 8-week performance coaching intensive designed to take your performance technique to new heights.
In this supportive community course, we will build performance confidence, learn about performance styles, curate a musical repertoire, develop a practice routine, deepen our understanding of musicality and deep listening, practice microphone technique, and of course: perform on stage!
Local Community
Join ModernTone’s vibrant community of musicians located in the heart of the East Bay. Our students come from Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Walnut Creek, Martinez, Danville, San Ramon, Pleasant Hill, Concord, and all over the Bay Area. Get together with like-minded music lovers and form musical friendships in your neighborhood. Our music programs encourage you to play in a band, participate in recording sessions, and work with songwriters on original tunes.
Live Support
Do you need extra help with your practice routine? Stuck on some notes that aren’t quite clicking yet? Even between sessions, we’re here to help! Contact us by phone, text, direct message, or email for live support as you hone your new skills in-between sessions. If you have any scheduling difficulties, payment questions, or other issues, just hit us up. We always respond within 24 hours (usually way faster). We look forward to hearing from you.
Secret Ingredient
We just love music. There’s no other way to say it. From teaching, to recording, to passing on knowledge and learning new things ourselves – every day at ModernTone is an opportunity to immerse yourself in music of all styles. Sharing the gift of music is nothing short of a labor of love, which comes through in each and every lesson we teach. We can’t wait to collaborate with you and show you how to be the kind of musician you want to be. Let’s play!
If you’re a beginning performer who has no or little performance experience, you’ll have the opportunity to explore your music performance in a welcoming, joyful, and non-judgemental environment facilitated by a professional musician and performer. This intensive is designed to benefit all levels of performers because we all need to be listened to and observed to improve our performance techniques. By the end of this intensive, beginners will have learned skills to support them through their initial performances, such as school auditions, talent shows, karaoke with friends, etc.
If you’re an intermediate performer, you have likely performed a few times, solo or with a band. You might feel more comfortable with some aspects of your performance technique, but you know you can improve your skills and want to advance to the next level. You will benefit from this intensive by listening to and observing beginning and advanced performers, who will benefit from your feedback and offer you support as you grow. The goal for you will be to opt for more challenging songs/music pieces, and to refine your performance presence. You’ll be supported through your musical growth in a welcoming, joyful, and non-judgemental environment facilitated by a professional musician and performer who wants to see you succeed.
If you’ve been performing regularly for three years or longer, you have likely developed advanced performance techniques. This intensive will benefit you because you’ll be challenged to take your performance technique beyond “advanced” to the realm of “visionary” and “innovative.” This may mean that you advance your performance repertoire by testing the waters of new genres, or that you challenge your musical skills with a piece that requires more improvisation, musical agility, or movement. All participants will benefit from seeing you progress as an artist, and you’ll play a vital role in this intensive because of your ability to inspire and offer guidance to beginning and intermediate performers. You’ll be supported in a welcoming, joyful, and non-judgemental environment facilitated by a professional musician and performer ready to support this next chapter of your artistry!
If you have written original music, this intensive will offer you techniques to refine your unique voice as a performer and vocalist. All participants are welcome and encouraged to collaborate, so you might benefit from co-writing or co-performing with other participants.
As an instrumentalist, this intensive will offer techniques on how to bring forth soulfulness with your unique playing style. All participants are welcome and encouraged to collaborate, so you might benefit from performing with another instrumentalist or as an accompanist for a vocalist.
Vocalists will work on progressing their musicality through embodied, soulful singing. Vocal performance is a full-body workout, and you’ll have the opportunity to find your unique performance style by testing out different modes of movement and presence on stage. All participants are welcome and encouraged to collaborate in this intensive, so you might benefit from working with instrumentalists or challenging yourself to work on original music with a songwriter.
If you’re a beginning performer who has no or minimal performance experience, you’ll have the opportunity to explore your music performance in a welcoming, joyful, and non-judgemental environment facilitated by a professional musician and performer. This intensive is designed to benefit all levels of performers because we all need to be listened to and observed to improve our performance techniques. By the end of this intensive, beginners will have learned skills to support them through their initial performances, such as school auditions, talent shows, karaoke with friends, etc.
If you’re an intermediate performer, you have likely performed a few times, solo or with a band. You might feel more comfortable with some aspects of your performance technique, but you know you can improve your skills and want to advance to the next level. You will benefit from this intensive by listening to and observing beginning and advanced performers, who will benefit from your feedback and offer you support as you grow. The goal for you will be to opt for more challenging songs/music pieces, and to refine your performance presence. You’ll be supported through your musical growth in a welcoming, joyful, and non-judgemental environment facilitated by a professional musician and performer who wants to see you succeed.
If you’ve been performing regularly for three years or longer, you have likely developed advanced performance techniques. This intensive will benefit you because you’ll be challenged to take your performance technique beyond “advanced” to the realm of “visionary” and “innovative.” This may mean that you advance your performance repertoire by testing the waters of new genres, or that you challenge your musical skills with a piece that requires more improvisation, musical agility, or movement. All participants will benefit from seeing you progress as an artist, and you’ll play a vital role in this intensive because of your ability to inspire and offer guidance to beginning and intermediate performers. You’ll be supported in a welcoming, joyful, and non-judgemental environment facilitated by a professional musician and performer ready to support this next chapter of your artistry!
If you have written original music, this intensive will offer you techniques to refine your unique voice as a performer and vocalist. All participants are welcome and encouraged to collaborate, so you might benefit from co-writing or co-performing with other participants.
As an instrumentalist, this intensive will offer techniques on how to bring forth soulfulness with your unique playing style. All participants are welcome and encouraged to collaborate, so you might benefit from performing with another instrumentalist or as an accompanist for a vocalist.
Vocalists will work on progressing their musicality through embodied, soulful singing. Vocal performance is a full-body workout, and you’ll have the opportunity to find your unique performance style by testing out different modes of movement and presence on stage. All participants are welcome and encouraged to collaborate in this intensive, so you might benefit from working with instrumentalists or challenging yourself to work on original music with a songwriter.
Week 1
Confidence & Vision
Practice a powerful vocal stance and core breathing to ease performance stress. Share reflections in small-group discussions to clarify your artistic goals. Finally, analyze inspiring live clips to spark ideas for your own stage presence.
Week 2
Repertoire & Routine
Select songs that suit your voice and style, then map out a practice schedule with clear performance targets. You’ll learn how to balance technical drills with musical expression so every rehearsal moves you closer to a polished set.
Week 3
Rhythm & Dynamics
Explore how rhythmic phrasing and dynamic contrast bring songs to life. You’ll practice techniques for accenting key moments, building tension, and releasing energy — sharpening your ability to tell a story through sound.
Week 4
Presence & Physicality
Develop full-body performance techniques: posture, movement, and stage-space awareness. You’ll work on projecting energy and emotion, finding your unique way to connect physically and vocally with any audience.
Week 5
Personal Style
Dig into what makes a rendition yours: tone, phrasing, and lyrical nuance. You’ll combine earlier skills — breath support, dynamics, and stance — to craft a performance that feels authentic to your musical identity.
Week 6
Mic Technique & Sound
Master microphone handling, placement, and vocal effects. You’ll also learn venue-side essentials — monitor mixes, stage etiquette, and house-sound check protocols — so you’re prepared no matter where you perform.
Week 7
Tech Rehearsal
Run your complete set in front of a mock audience, cue-to-cue, under real lighting and sound conditions. You’ll receive live feedback on pacing, transitions, and projection — so every note and movement is show-ready.
Week 8
Performance Night!
You'll cap off the program with a full-scale public showcase, welcoming friends, family, and peers to experience your growth firsthand. On show day, you’ll manage your own soundcheck, run through the setlist, and step into the spotlight with confidence. After the final note, we’ll gather to celebrate the standout moments and note areas to refine. This showcase isn’t just a finale - it’s a springboard for your next musical adventure, whether that’s new repertoire, recording projects, or more live performances together.
Stage Program participants are invited to explore private Music Lessons. Questions? Send us a note or call (925) 297-5336.
Program Director
Diana Alvarez
Dr. Diana Alvarez is a vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, performer, and educator, who is passionate about sharing their vast musical experience with students of all ages. Versed in a wide array of styles and genres, Diana enjoys teaching jazz, pop, musical theater, rock, country, and Latin. With a Ph.D. in Electronic Arts, MFA in Poetry, and a Bachelor’s degree in music, Diana specializes in nurturing artistry, expressions and helping students develop a unique musical voice. As an instructor, Diana passionately nourishes the artistry of vocalists, musicians, and artists through joyful, dynamic, student-centered teaching and performance. They specialize in supporting students who want to create and perform music that is soulful, regardless of style and genre. Diana’s motivation is to help aspiring musicians of all ages and levels see a true transformation in their musical abilities.
We are the highest rated music studio in the Bay Area and maintain a 5-star rating on Yelp, Facebook, Google and Thumbtack. Check out what our clients have to say about their experience at ModernTone.