Dennis Chmelensky - Teaching
Teaching, Mentoring, and Envisioning the Future of Singing
About
I help singers get accepted into top conservatories and YAPs, launch sustainable careers in Germany and the US, and grow their networks. I've walked this path myself performing internationally as a soloist with companies like Oper Frankfurt, the Metropolitan Opera and the Berliner Philharmonie, and have already supported students at conservatories like the Cleveland Institute of Music to do the same.
I've helped students:
- Get into top conservatories and YAPs
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Build careers in the US and Germany
- Improve their German diction and understanding
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Secure contracts locally and internationally
- Dive deep into the interpretation of German Art Song
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Grow their networks, in person and online
What I Believe
Teaching Philosophy
Music was a gift to me growing up, a source of solace, expression, meaning, and infinite possibility. Today, I am passionate about helping others discover their own unique voice. Whether you’re preparing for auditions, professional engagements, or diving into serious vocal study, I bring a personalized approach rooted in experience with real-world insights of a working performer. I focus on building a strong classical foundation, with a specialization in Opera, German Lied, and Oratorio. In my lessons, I begin with a physical warm-up, followed by vocal exercises, and conclude with repertoire. Throughout this progression, I tailor my approach to each student’s individual needs, focusing on releasing unnecessary tension and building proper support for sustained, healthy, and beautiful singing. Key areas of focus include breath control and airflow, body awareness and posture, resonance, and musicality.
Teaching, to me, is collaboration.
Lessons naturally depend on a student’s level. For beginners, learning the basics and building a strong technical foundation is essential. Beyond that, my goal is to set impulses, ask questions, and help you discover what you want to express. Not simply out of servitude, but because I deeply believe, through years of international study and work with extraordinary musicians, that in the end, everything comes down to your personal why.
Technical perfection, if such a thing even exists, is a fascinating and endless pursuit. I do believe there are fundamentals that make great singing great singing. At the same time, so much in the arts is subjective, shaped by taste and peer review. Through studying and working extensively in the United States, Europe, and Asia, I’ve found great joy in observing how different cultures define what is tasteful, stylistically appropriate, or “correct.” And ultimately, none of us can pick up the phone and call Mozart, Beethoven, or Wagner. Accuracy, when pursued blindly, can be the death of creativity and inspiration.
I’ve been deeply moved by artists, some of whom never attended a conservatory in their lives. Many of the most compelling artists of our time are far from perfect. At a certain point, it may be precisely our so-called “mistakes” that set us apart. Much of the music we perform today was written by composers long gone. Because of that, it is even more important to find a personal why, a reason beyond “I like this piece.” Why did I choose this song? What is it about? In what context was it written, and does that context matter today? What does it mean to me now, and what does it mean to others? How can I draw on my own experiences and emotions to not merely perform, but to share something genuine?
I believe it is this work, this search for meaning, that touches audiences. It is what elevates a performance beyond entertainment to a shared humanity, connecting us not only with listeners today, but with those who lived hundreds of years before us.
» Dennis is a gifted vocal teacher. I’ve been studying with him for nearly two years now, and I feel I’ve made immense progress «
Why Me?
Areas of Focus
- Vocal Technique
- Repertoire Coaching
- Audition Preparation
- Career Guidance
- Competition Preparation
- German Opera Market
- German Language
- Opera & Lied
I help singers master their craft, connect deeply with the music, and build sustainable careers.
In their words
Beyond Stelle
The Music Landscape Today
Beyond Stelle shares the stories of musicians and their careers in an ever-changing landscape, offering insight and guidance to navigate an evolving professional world. While budget cuts are everywhere and the traditional path is narrowing, a new wave of exciting opportunities is emerging. With equipment for self-production more accessible than ever, musicians are forging innovative careers, from podcasting and recording video game soundtracks to building online studios and growing global audiences on social media.
Interviews
On January 3, 2026, I sat down with my friend and colleague, bass-baritone Joel Allison of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, to talk about his career and his financial situation as a member of the Deutsche Oper Berlin ensemble. Joel and I met at the Tyrolean Festival Erl, where we performed together in Adams’ Le Postillon de Lonjumeau.
Essays
The Prestige Trap
Timothée Chalamet certainly struck a nerve with his claim “no one cares” about ballet and opera. I sense a widening chasm in the classical music world between the institutional drive to feature the “best of the best,” an ecosystem fueled by prestige, lineage, and competition, and the urgent need to adapt in order to remain relevant.
Moving to Germany
Are you an opera singer thinking about moving to Germany? Then this guide is for you! My wife and I moved to Germany in 2022 to chase our dreams as professional musicians. This guide provides practical tips on topics including how to find housing and work, and how to overcome challenges you might encounter along the way.