Studio in Upper Manhattan
Student Raves
"Virginia Grasso is an amazing teacher. She teaches a true bel canto technique, a rare and precious find nowadays. I have studied with her for twenty years and in that time she has guided me through singing on a Metropolitan Opera broadcast, with LA Opera, NYCO & Houston Grand Opera. But whether the venue is large or small, her technique and commitment stay the same. I am a better singer and artist because of Virginia Grasso."
-Tonna Miller: Metropolitan Opera, NY City Opera
I was introduced to Virginia at a time when I felt my technical development was stagnating. She quickly and keenly deduced what to focus on when we first started working together in September 2024, and since then, I have had more artistic satisfaction and professional success than ever. As a high soprano, we’ve been able to align my voice in a way that gives it strength from top to bottom, and it has given me the freedom and confidence to take on a wide array of operatic and musical theatre roles. Every time I walk into her studio, I know I’m in the best, most firm yet kind hands in the biz. I’m immensely grateful for the work we’ve done so far, and I know I’ll be able to continue improving with her guidance for years to come!
-Abigail Raiford: Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition National Finalist, Opera Philadelphia, Merola Opera, Carnegie Hall, David Geffen Hall
"My voice has always been wild and impressive for its sheer size and power, but working with Virginia refined it into something elegant and set it ablaze. My sound is more supple, more nuanced, and far more intentional. Instead of wrestling with the instrument, I’m shaping it. Power is still there, but now it’s married to control, color, and clarity, which has completely changed how I sing and how I trust my voice. I would never have survived, let alone thrived singing Turandot and Donna Anna in back-to-back months, without her.
Virginia is exacting in the best possible way. She hears everything, misses nothing, and demands precision without deadening the artistry. A beautiful voice won't be able to get away with just being "pretty" with her, her ears are too good. Studying with her has been the most marvelous experience compared to past attempts at finding a teacher I aligned with. She will bring out your absolute best.
-Angel Azzarra: Detroit Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Opera Lafayette
"NYCO introduced me to Virginia with a specific goal in mind: to improve my high notes (Eb specifically). Virginia is an amazing teacher with just the right combination of support and push to help me and my voice expand and grow. Her ear is astoundingly specific. Sometimes I think she can honestly hear me thinking. I credit her with helping my voice reach new heights and stay there and helping me align my voice. Virginia has given me the skills and confidence to believe in myself."
-Lauren Worsham: Tony nominee/Drama Desk/Theatre World award winner for Phoebe in "A Gentleman's Guide To Love And Murder", NYCO, City Center Encores, Montclair Peak Performances, Goodspeed Opera House
Above: Amy Justman and Lauren Worsham with Kelli O'Hara singing "Three Little Maids Are We"
"I owe so much to my work with Virginia Grasso, both as a performer and as inspiration for my own teaching. She is an incredible technician and an expert at achieving a flexible, fully-aligned voice in the bel canto tradition. She has seen me through everything from singing Messiah at Carnegie Hall to Carlotta in Phantom of the Opera, combining an exacting ear with a warm and supportive presence. I'm so grateful for her!"
-Amy Justman: 6 Broadway shows including Carousel, Phantom of the Opera, and Company; Bernstein's Mass for PBS Great Performances; soloist at Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center
"I came to Virginia a few months out of college, hoping to sharpen my technique and bolster the legit side of my musical theatre career.
The clarity and specificity of her ear and her communication is second to none. Her teaching is sharp, useful, and concise—making it easy to remember and apply independently.
She focuses on the music and the voice with no pretense. I had to beg to hear about her own singing career.
And she has pushed me past my own doubt and skepticism around my abilities—who knew I could roll r’s?"
-John Harmon Cooper: Encores! at New York City Center, Carnegie Hall
"Working with Virginia has been a true game-changer for my singing. She has an exceptional ear and an incredible ability to get to the why behind what’s happening in the voice. Her approach is thoughtful, individualized, and grounded in healthy, sustainable technique. No shortcuts or tricks, just solid vocal science.
Since studying with Virginia, I’ve felt my voice become freer, more consistent, and easier to trust. Just as importantly, she creates a supportive, curious space where real progress can happen. I’m deeply grateful for her insight, honesty, and care as a teacher."
-Sara Kennedy: Sarasota Opera, Florida Grand Opera, the Little Opera Theatre of NY, Teatro Grattacielo, and Painted Sky Opera
“Studying with Virginia has been a truly transformative experience for me. Her extraordinary ability to diagnose technical issues quickly and address them in a way that is clear, effective and immediately freeing. My breath management, alignment, resonance and vocal consistency have all improved dramatically and, in turn, has elevated my confidence as a singer.”
-Danielle Pastin: Metropolitan Opera, Palm Beach, Royal Albert Hall
Danielle Pastin: Madame Butterfly, Virginia Opera
Radnel Ofalsa: Before Night Falls, Ovidio, Opera Southwest 2024
“I had always struggled with tongue tension and thought to myself that it was something I would carry for life as a singer. But Virginia understood my issues within a few lessons, and through the concepts and exercises she incorporates into our lessons, my tongue tension has greatly declined, and my singing continues to improve in leaps that I never imagined.
We’ve been working for less than a year and it’s been truly life-changing. She is a true Vocal Technician whose patience is something that I’m grateful to continually experience.”
-Radnel Ofalsa: Teatro Nuovo, Opera Southwest, and Central City Opera
"Virginia Grasso is a true and rare vocal technician. I find Virginia to be passionate about healthy singing and is patient with her students to allow for true understanding of her technique. More importantly, Virginia invested in me and in return she expected the best from me."
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-Robert Mack: Metropolitan Opera, NYCO
"Virginia has been my teacher for many years, and thanks to her, I have a technique that allows me to sing almost any genre of music, with a voice that is fully resonant and wholly my own. I'm very grateful to Virginia, and her patience with me! She has seen me through my debut at Carnegie Hall, and through rough patches, through highs and lows, she and the technique she teaches have been invaluable to me."
-Silvie Jensen: Carnegie Hall, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago
"When cast in A Little Night Music to understudy Angela Lansbury AND the Liebesleider I knew I'd need help. Virginia came into my life and whipped me into shape. My technique has improved considerably and I am more confident than ever thanks to her careful attentions. She continues to be the bedrock of my vocal health and I continue to be competitive because of her."
-Karen Murphy: Broadway credits include: A Little Night Music, 9 to 5, All Shook Up, 42nd St, A Christmas Carol, Titanic
"I am so grateful to Virginia Grasso. In 2005 I was introduced to Virginia knowing my voice needed to be healed but not knowing how to heal it. I had been diagnosed and treated for acid reflux and although I was physically healthy, I was not vocally healthy. I had found a way to technically compensate for the affect acid reflux had on my middle and lower middle registers. Virginia lovingly, patiently and methodically placed my voice in the palm of her hand and aligned my registers note by note...she and I worked technically until my voice was lined up. She always encouraged me to never give up, and she never gave up. I am eternally grateful to her for giving me back the voice that I thought I had lost forever; better than it had ever been. Thank you, my teacher...my friend."
-Roberta Laws: San Francisco Opera, Seattle Opera, Dallas Opera, Portland Opera, Opera Carolina, and many other credits. Voice faculty of North Carolina Central University
"I was referred to Virginia by a fellow classically-trained crossover singer whom I've always admired, and I started our lessons with a lot of tension and anxiety, as I had not taken a lesson in almost a decade. I started seeing results almost immediately. Virginia is a master technician, but has a sixth sense about when to talk technique and when to find other paths to opening up the voice and the body. I am now working as a singer more consistently than ever and I have a renewed confidence in my voice, my mind, and my body. Multiple colleagues with whom I've worked over these years have commented on my vast improvement, saying my voice is sounding richer, freer and more flexible. I am in my late 40s, and I can confidently say that I am singing better than I have ever sung in my life. I credit Virginia entirely for this renaissance. Go see her -- you will be so glad you did!"
-Sarah Frei: Soloist with BAM, Prototype Festival (Beth Morrison Projects), ARTEK, Voices of Ascension
"Words cannot express how thankful I am to have found Virginia. She has transformed my voice! Before I began working with her, every note above a G was a strain for me. Now, I am singing high Cs with a comfort and freedom I never would have thought I’d have. She has helped me find a richer and fuller sound, while maintaining vocal flexibility. I am primarily a musical theater singer, but studying with Virginia has enabled me to explore new repertoire and to sing musical theater in a healthy, sustainable way. I did an eight-month contract in southern Utah, singing outside every night in 100-degree, dry, desert heat. I would not have been able to keep my voice healthy through that run without Virginia’s technique as my foundation. She is truly a vocal wizard, firm and discerning but also warm, supportive, and brilliant."
-Rebecca Brudner: Off-Broadway credits: The Sorceress (NYTF), Fiorello! (BTG); Regional credits: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Matilda (Tuacahn), Guys and Dolls (Ark. Shakespeare), Oklahoma! (Goodspeed)
"I came to Virginia curious and ambitious to add vocal technique to the skill set I already have in the entertainment sphere. Without Virginia's incredible insight, direction and encouragement, I would have never found my voice as rich as I could have ever imagined. Now I am proud to say I am a singer as well as actor, film director and producer.
-Courtney Sanello: Internationally recognized award-winning Director and Actor of film, First Refusal