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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