- Piano and Voice Instructor -
About Elisabeth
Elisabeth playing the piano during 'The Fantasticks', for which she was the music director & accompanist.
Elisabeth Drake learned how to read music before she learned how to read books, and her innate musical gifts have persevered and manifested themselves throughout her life. She has studied piano and voice since the age of 5 and has worked as a soloist, music director, private teacher, and accompanist across the state of Florida. Her diverse musical background includes classical, jazz, musical theater, church and even pop music.
Educated at Jacksonville’s Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, Elisabeth was the first student there to simultaneously study voice and piano. During her high school years, Elisabeth studied music for at least four hours a day, as well as performing in musicals, voice and piano competitions, concerts, and recitals. Due to her extensive background of private study, she even tested out of the school's music theory program. She studied with the private studios of celebrated mezzo-soprano, Susan Parton Stanard, and renowned pianist James D. Johnson. She expanded her studies to jazz and opera, and, in college, found a distinct advantage in her ingrained understanding of music theory and vocal pedagogy. Her vocal range and sight-reading abilities earned her a reputation of consummate musicianship among her peers. After 2 years of studying music on the college level, Elisabeth decided to branch out and study new subjects, finally earning her Bachelor's degree in French and Marketing from Florida State University. This change in her academic studies did not change her passion for music. While in college, Elisabeth served as the Music Director and accompanist for the Youth Theater Program at Jacksonville's Jewish Community Alliance. She also began teaching freelance voice, piano, and music theory lessons at the age of 21, which is when she realized her gift and passion for teaching. Most recently, Elisabeth has performed with the Orlando Chorale and music-directed children’s and adult musicals at Wayne Densch Center for the Performing Arts. Elisabeth is also the director of the all-female a cappella group, "Diva Jazz."
A fun-loving personality, it is difficult not to be infected by Elisabeth’s sense of humor. Lessons with Elisabeth are enjoyable and meaningful. She finds joy in her work and knows how to share it with those around her. She is dedicated to music education and loves to watch the positive impact that music has on the lives of her students. She finds a special joy in working with young people but also relishes opening up new worlds for her adult students. Her positive, persevering attitude is an inspiration to everyone who works with her.
Elisabeth lives in the Dr. Phillips area with her husband, Allan Forbes, a voiceover actor.