I have never taken a singing class before coming to the School of the Getdown. My only experience with singing had been in elementary school as a class, and singing in my car while commuting to and from work! I felt quite comfortable right from the start. Faye Carol will put you at ease and make you feel like an old friend. But she will also challenge you and help you discover your own abilities. She stresses that you do NOT need to try to be like any other singer. You just need to be you! You are not in competition with the other students. The other students are actually supportive. I was in class with other students that had been coming for months or years. It is like family! Always there with Faye is Joe Warner, a very accomplished and talented pianist. Whatever song you chose to bring for your solo, Joe will be able to master it very quickly. He will work with you and help you present your song as you wish or envision it, both to the other students and to family and friends who may come to witness the final recital. I felt the class was fun and challenging. I would certainly recommend it to my friends, and to those of you reading these reviews. read more

I just finished my first 4 week School of the Get Down with Faye Carol and it felt life changing! At the beginning of class, I was barely able to stand in front of the group and sing but by the end, I felt more relaxed and confident than I ever could have imagined. Faye created an atmosphere right from the start that was more welcoming and supportive than I have ever experienced. She focuses on the joy that making music brings, not all the things we were doing wrong. She just made everything we did so much fun! Consequently, I watched every person in the group grow as a singer and performer in ways I would not have imagined could happen in such a short time. I can't recommend Faye's workshop more highly for singers from beginners to professionals! read more

Ms. Faye is the real deal, and anyone would be blessed to have taken vocal lessons with her! She's super charismatic and hilarious. When she SANGS (yes, sang), her voice goes right through you and you can feel her as opposed to just hearing her. And Joe, the pianist, can really get down! He's soo jazzy and can play pretty much play anything. On the first day, I loved when she said there is no competition in her class and it's not about being perfect but being real. She also made sure it was a loving space. All of this really resonated with me and I knew I was in the right place. I hadn't sang publicly since I was child in church choir so a genuine, loving space was a requirement for me. It was a wonderful experience and I'm definitely taking her class again in the future. read more

Weeehoo. What to say. Well, first this review is long overdue. I love Ms. Faye Carol, her energy, her light, her wisdom and her ability to bring that out of all her students. I had a really great month working with her and Joe at the School of the Getdown and I cannot wait to join them again. I really recommend this dynamic duo and their School of the Getdown! Thank you so much Joe and Ms. Carol. read more

I met Faye while at a music camp in June. Her class was by far my favorite and I was hooked. Her energy and spirit is contagious! She makes you feel like you can do anything and encourages you to sing no matter what! During the School of the Getdown I was always smiling and laughing. She has a way of giving you helpful tips without criticizing you. She is so gentle and fun when giving feedback. I cannot say enough great things about Faye and her pianist Joe Warner. read more

Looking to revisit vocal performance after taking a 23+ year hiatus, I was invited to attend the School of the Getdown's February 2018 recital. I was overjoyed! The class was exactly what I was looking for. a fun environment with all levels of singers, rooting for one another, supporting each others growth. If you're looking for instruction that tears you down to "build you back up" this isn't the class for you. If you want instruction that embraces where you are and will lovingly develop your skill level, confidence and stage presence, The School of the Getdown is the place to be! Ms. Faye is a gem. She is very clear that her class is not a competition and music performance is an offering of love and vocal differences should be celebrated. Whether you're like me and want to dust off the vocal cobwebs and test the waters or a complete novice or anywhere between; if you want to see what it's like to sing with a loving audience full of support, not to mention, have the opportunity to work with a Dynamic duo, the Dynamic Ms. Faye Carol, bay area royalty and Joe Warner on keys, always killin' it, making all of us feel like professionals, this is the class for you! Just completed the March session. Will be back in April;-). Can't wait! read more

The Dynamic Faye Carol and the Unflappable Joe Warner can bring magic into your life, if you let them! Ms.Carol gets you out of your comfort zone and makes you dig deep to bring something that you didn't know existed, out. Most teachers can teach how to sing the notes, and that's fine. But Faye not only teaches you how to sing the notes, she teaches you how to feel the notes. If you're not a confident singer, or a quiet singer, or never sang in your life, this is the place for you! Once the month is over, you'll take so much pride in what you've done! She believes in all her students, even when they don't believe in themselves. Which is something that most teachers don't always show. I feel truly blessed to have met such a wonderful person and friend. read more

I had a great month with Faye Carol and Joe Warner at the School of the Getdown. Ms. Faye welcomed me in, had me singing the first day, and challenged all of the students at different skill levels. It was a lot of fun to see the class progress over the month and see everyone's final performance. Would definitely recommend it if you are wanting to get out and sing or get over your shyness in good company. read more

Faye and Joe are simply the best. I could always carry a tune but after just two lessons, my fellow bandmates told me I sounded like Aretha. Faye taught me seemingly simple breathing and warmup techniques that made my singing much better. I went to sing with my second band yesterday and they told me that I had a great voice. I have been singing with them since 2004 and this is the first time they have remarked on my singing in such a positive manner. I wanted to sing What's Goin On and the first band thought it was too hard to play. Faye and Joe brought it down and recorded the song that I then sent to my bandmates who live all around the USA. They mastered the song and thanked me for bringing it to them. FAYE rocks. I have always loved her singing and her teaching is just as outstanding. She will change your life. read more

I've been singing a long time, but could never get over my shyness and I certainly would never be able to learn a song quickly! After the class I really came out of my shell. Faye has a demeanor that puts you at ease and pushes you out of your comfort zone at the same time. I can't wait to go back. She had us learn new songs and sing in front of a small group of people which is a big fear of mine. She encourages you and makes the class feel like family. So glad I took the class! read more

This was my first time working with Ms Faye and Joe and it was a lot of fun. I love to sing but I am really shy, but Ms. Faye knows how to make you feel at ease and not take yourself so seriously, while still pulling out the best in you. I enjoyed learning and growing with the other ladies in my group over the month and would recommend this class to anyone. It's great for any level read more

If you're looking for a loving and non-judgemental teacher to facilitate your creative flow in song and music I'm recommending Ms. Faye Carol's School of the Getdown. I have been around and involved informally at some level with singers, teachers, and directors of music (haling from Detroit) all of my life. But my soul required that I be connected with a "special" someone like Ms. Faye. I needed someone with whom I could feel pushes and loves me into the singer I've always known myself to be...Ms. Faye. I've just completed a course and can't wait to start the next 4 week session. My soul is appreciative of having found a space of love, new friends, laughter, fellowship, and most of all rich opportunities to learn from a Master of MUSIC--Ms. Faye! Ready, set, jump to it! read more

I love working with Ms Faye and Joe. They provide a safe place to learn and grow. So Happy to have them in the South Bay.

I have the pleasure of studying with the Dynamic Miss Faye Carol for the past 5 years and it has been an awesome experience. I have taken other vocal classes over the years and this has truly been the best. I am loved and I am challenged in this class. The School of the Getdown is for all levels of musicianship and all are welcome. The basis of Faye's teaching is love. I always look forward to taking her class. read more

If you're currently singing or an aspiring or past singer, this is the perfect class for you; esp if you're looking for a supportive and fun learning environment, where you get practical info/advice from an instructor who's been performing actively for decades. I've grown as a vocalist in leaps and bounds, in just a short period of time. If you want to check out what the class is all about, you're invited to attend our student recital/open house in Berkeley or San Jose. Message us to get more details! read more

I joined the October class and this was by far one of the most joyful months I've had in my life! I am a beginner singer, and was very nervous about joining a class with five other people. Faye fosters an attitude of acceptance, joy and encouragement - both within herself and within her class - and I found it was helpful and more enjoyable to be in a class with her students. I love Faye's style - I feel like I've been looking for this in a music teacher my whole life and never was able to find it, until Faye. She's hip, fun, sassy, kind and loves sharing her gift of music with everyone that wants it. Her pianist Joe is beyond talented and they are such a good team. Thank you Faye for the beautiful class and I look forward to a class in early 2019! read more

I took Faye's class with my teenage daughter (and my daughter took it a second time). Faye is great at creating a fun and welcoming atmosphere, whether you are a talented (but sometimes uncooperative) teen or a mediocre middle-aged man, and the class is set up to make the most of the time available. It was fun, and the singing results were quite impressive. Very worthwhile. read more

Among her many honors, Faye Carol has been inducted into her hometown Pittsburg Entertainment & Arts Hall of Fame. She has returned to Pittsburg to work with junior high and high school students in the PEAHOF Arts Mentoring Program and has been simply fabulous with the students, who not only improved markedly but were also able to learn complex songs with the help of her able accompanist Joe Warner. One of the students who worked with her in Pittsburg was awarded the PEAHOF Dan Daniels Scholarship to attend the School of the Getdown which provided her with new confidence and knowledge. Watching Faye work with the students, mentoring, advising, challenging and helping them was a treat, and her special talent to share her passion makes the experience invaluable for those working with her. read more

I have taken workshops with Faye for several months. When I first started taking the workshops, I had such debilitating stage anxiety that I could barely stand in class and sing. It didn't matter if it was my solo piece or one of the pieces that we were working on together. Faye was loving and encouraging and supportive through the whole process. Now when I sing I feel comfortable and relaxed and my voice shows it! The atmosphere that Faye creates allows singers to grow and improve and thrive. I want to come to the School of the Getdown again and again and again!! read more

My granddaughter and i have taken several singing classes at Faye Carol's School of the Getdown and each time we have enjoyed the class so much as Faye patiently and creatively guides us toward achieving our dream of singing. In each month long course, we learn to sing hip Jazz or Blues standards as a group and then Faye personally instructs each of us to sing and perform an individual song of our choice. It is amazing to see the improvement singers achieve during the classes, in terms of their skiils and their self confidence. Faye truly cares about her students and we become like a close family that grows and supports one another. Honestly, attending The School of the Getdown has been one of the best experiences of my entire life. Thank you Faye Carol and Joe Warner. read more