Simone has performed opera and art song throughout the United States and Western Europe. Locally, you may have seen Simone perform leading roles with Asheville Lyric Opera or as a solo concert artist with The Brevard Chamber Orchestra, singing Vivaldi’s Gloria or Handel’s Messiah as the Asheville Symphony Chorus Soloist, ECHO (Early Music Festival), Blue Ridge Community College Concert Series, The UNC Asheville University Singers, and Reuter Singers. Simone’s performance background consists of various vocal genres including: musical theater, spirituals, opera, American Art Song, Italian Art Song, German Lied, and French Mélodie.

While attending IU Simone taught private voice lessons. Teaching was found to be challenging and she realized her own technique became stronger by instructing someone else. She also found the voice fascinating because no two are alike therefore, her teaching technique must be custom designed for each student. Since leaving IU in 2000 she has been teaching private voice and piano students throughout Western NC. Simone has found teaching so rewarding that in June 2007 she joined NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing). This organization gives seminars to teachers of singing and offers various résumé building opportunities for their students including: summer programs, competitions and scholarships. Simone’s website is simonevigilante.com

Simone has been instrumental in starting a new opera company in town, Opera Creations.  Check out their website here: operacreations.org

LESSONS WITH SIMONE

Simone desires students of all ages who want to perform in any kind of venue. No matter if it’s the school musical, church choir, Asheville Music School Recital, community musicals or the MET. She appreciates having students who are open to studying all musical genres. The students she prefers working with the most not only want to sing but learn how to sing correctly through vocalizes and proper vocal technique. For pre-adolescent students, some vocal techniques are not appropriate, so Simone adds music theory (note and rhythm reading) to their curriculum. Simone has had tremendous success with those high school students who are preparing for college auditions. Usually, Simone works the first half of a lesson focusing on technical work and the second half preparing assigned pieces. For students interested in taking lessons she offers a trial lesson by request.

We have a couple of samples from a recent performance that Simone has given. (mp3 format) Clip1 Clip2

Testimonials

"I LOVE Simone!!!!! the best voice teacher i have ever had! She brought me miles in just the 2 short months while I was her student. She made me discover things about my voice i would have never dreamed were possible, and on top of it all she is a bubbly, fun, and delightful person to learn from. I will never forget her and plan to return to her lessons for both voice and piano as soon as time and money will allow."

E. Metcalf

“Since taking lessons with Simone, I am told all the time how powerful my voice is! She has taught me how to get the best sound and take care of my voice.”

E. Jones

“Simone has worked wonders for my voice.  I thank God that I found her.  I was having trouble with my voice cracking and having so little volume no one could hear me.  After Simone worked with me, all of that disappeared.  I now have a much stronger voice, free of cracks and all the volume I could want”.

1. A.Michael
   

“Simone proved indispensable to my admission to UNCSA.  Her instruction is direct and effective, and avoids esoteric concepts to instead cultivate the intense physicality required to be a (damn) good singer.”

10. J.Brown
    

“Simone in my opinion, is the best thing that has ever happened to me musically.  She was the teacher I needed at the time.  Simone has given me the inspiration to go to college and study music.  I’m going to Brevard College and have scholarships for music and leadership.  Thank you Simone. 

P.S. She is dank....fo sho. (sic).”

19. S.Gibbs
    

“I have a great time at lessons and am enjoying learning how to sing the right way!  Thank you so much!”

Amy F. 

“Thank you Simone for all your help and the improvement with my singing talent!  Your lessons are amazing and I can’t believe how much I’ve grown in a year!”

Kassandra

“I want to tell you how much I enjoyed your performance with the Choral Society.  To be honest, I don't generally get into classical vocal music - the performance style is often so extreme and unnatural as to really turn me off.  But you sang with such passion, and control, and expression, not to mention your amazingly rich and engrossing voice, that even somebody like me was absolutely enthralled.  Your solos were the highlight of the concert for me, by far.

I look forward to hearing you sing again!”

Matthew R.