Singing Lessons/Voice Instruction
 
Marginalia

Good technique is the same, for opera or for musicals and pop. There are no tricks or shortcuts in my method. We learn the tried-and-true basics, capitalizing upon our strengths and working on our weaknesses. PERFORMANCE is our short-term goal; PERFECTION takes forever. With the basics mastered, we select audition and/or performance material that best spotlights your strengths and whatever else makes you special, different from everyone else.

 

Voice Teacher or Coach?

What's the Difference?

Voice teachers instruct in vocal technique; voice coaches take the voice at its given technical level and prepare material appropriate to that given level.

Voice teachers use exercises to stretch and develop range and technique, to spot problems and to correct them; voice coaches may use exercises to warm up the voice.

Voice teachers use songs to test and to expand technical proficiency; voice coaches use songs to test and demonstrate overall performance abilities.

Voice teachers choose songs that will improve technique, but may not suit an individual for an audition; voice coaches choose songs that will best showcase a performer's talents.

Voice teachers know the human instrument, its strengths and its weaknesses, and instruct in its care; voice coaches are proficient pianists who may or may not possess training in singing technique. Coaches who are not musicians are acting/performance coaches, not voice coaches.

Voice teachers require regular recurring sessions to guide even the most proficient performer; voice coaches can often prepare performer and material in a session or two.

 

Which Do I Need?

Every singer needs to master the basics of singing technique, to have an understanding of breath support, placement and focusing of sound, and clear (but relaxed ) enunciation. Each basic element is a natural extension of the human speaking voice. Even without instruction, some people have an instinctive understanding of that natural voice. Others need to learn it.

Performers unaccustomed to singing will often approach a singing audition with a lower opinion of their musical skills than that of the professionals who are in a position to hire them.

An experienced voice teacher can show you what elements of your singing performance are strong and lead you to a more professional, polished sound. An astute voice coach can find and tailor material to fit the already existing skills so that the auditioning performer can present him/herself in the best possible light.

 

Depending upon each client's long-term goals, we work on technique and repertoire hand-in-hand. As a trained voice teacher, I emphasize the basics: how and where they occur in exercises and in the repertoire.

 

Although I currently coach only in tandem with the vocal instruction I offer, in fact I began my professional career as a musical director and coach while still in college.

 

My training and experience in these separate, related disciplines lead you to a quicker understanding of what you need to do and how best to do it.

 

 
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