Evelyn Czaja

Evelyn Czaja is a lyric mezzo-soprano, voice and piano teacher, choir director, and organist. With a rich musical background that began as an opera singer in Chicago, Evelyn has performed with the Chicago Opera Theater, Repertory Opera Theater, DuPage Opera, Northwest Symphony, and Lake Shore Symphony. She has also given numerous solo recitals in both Chicago and Boston. For 15 years, she served as a Cantor in the Roman Catholic Church.

Notable roles Evelyn has performed include Musetta in La Bohème (Puccini), The Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute (Mozart), and Yum-Yum in The Mikado (Gilbert and Sullivan).

After beginning her teaching career in Chicago, Evelyn relocated to the Boston area, where she expanded her studio to include beginning and intermediate piano students in addition to voice. She has accompanied vocal students in recitals and even played piano bar for one of her pop-singing students. She currently serves as an organist and choir director in the Greek Orthodox Church.

As a private music teacher, Evelyn strives to create a kind, fun, and slightly quirky environment. She finds great joy in helping students grow musically and celebrate every step of their journey—from small victories to major recital performances. Her teaching emphasizes personal expression, musical independence, and goal setting.

Evelyn primarily teaches voice to teens and young adults, whose more mature voices allow for the exploration of advanced repertoire. Her piano students typically range from beginners to intermediate level, and she has taught children as young as age 4.

She believes in student-centered teaching: involving students in repertoire choices, helping them reflect on their progress, and encouraging self-awareness in their practice habits. Evelyn also understands that lessons can be nerve-wracking, so she brings a lighthearted, supportive tone to each session—something both students and parents appreciate.

Evelyn holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Music Pedagogy from Northeastern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Rosary College (now Dominican University) in River Forest, IL. She has pursued additional private studies in voice, piano, organ, choral conducting, and performance coaching in both Chicago and Boston.

She is a proud member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), and Boston Singers’ Resource.