How long does it take to develop my voice?

• It would depend on your goal in taking lessons. To master an instrument it takes years, to get an idea or taste of what a voice can do takes less time.

• Singing is an athletic as well as artistic endeavor. Developing a voice involves the conditioning and coordination of muscles. Everyone begins at a unique, individual level; how training is approached will vary from student to student.  

 

 What happens in a typical lesson?

• We begin with a brief catching up during the first few minutes of a lesson to see what is happening for you both generally and vocally. (The general information helps me understand some vocal issues that might be present.) We warm up the body and the voice for a few minutes. We then exercise the voice using exercises that are specific to the needs of your instrument and get it ready for the repertoire that you are working on. The last half of the lesson we work on repertoire:  vocally and when ready, dramatically.

 

How often should I take lessons?

• You will see great benefit from lessons at both a weekly and bi-weekly. Regularly scheduled sessions are crucial to development.
  As an instrument develops to a higher level, less frequent lessons are necessary.

 

Are online lessons as effective as in person lessons?

• They can be – as long as the technology on both ends is at the level needed.  

 

Am I too old for voice lessons? Is my child too young for voice lessons?

• As the body ages, the voice also ages. Lessons as you get older can be quite beneficial especially if you are experiencing difficulties and not easily able to sing pieces you used to be able to sing.

• If a child is singing and auditioning for music theatre shows, they will greatly benefit from lessons. If a child just loves to sing but isn’t involved in the rigors of performing, then they might benefit more from other types of music study first. (I do strongly recommend piano study.) This helps build their musicianship skills which will be a great advantage as they pursue voice in the future when they are using it for various performing activities.

 

Do I have to sing classical music in order to develop my voice?

• No- this is a myth that continues to live on. Singing classically develops a certain aspect of someone’s instrument. For the female voice, the benefit that classical singing brings to vocal development is the strengthening the upper (head) register. This works a bit differently for the male voice. Balancing the registers is crucial for all voice types - this can be done in a variety of ways that doesn’t need to include classical music. That having been said, there is a lot to learn from singing classical vocal literature and I strongly encourage my beginning/advanced students to try the different genres of music.

 

Is it okay if I take a break from my lessons while I’m in a show/opera?

• This depends on your level of singing and development. For the beginner, intermediate and advanced students I usually say that this
  is the worst time to take a break. The rigors of rehearsing and performing keep the voice in a default place which can mean older,
  non-desirable habits take over. Regular lessons during these periods of time help the instrument stay balanced and keeps it functioning at its highest level.

• Once your instrument is established, you can be fine taking a break. Professional students who are singing very taxing roles or are experiencing something unusual take lessons on an as needed basis.

 

I didn’t get to practice much, should I cancel my lesson?

• The short answer- no. There is a lot you can do to keep your instrument going and can also motivate you to practice. This can also be an opportunity to work on musicianship skills in learning a song as well as dramatic supporting work. However, if this is happening regularly, then lessons are probably not for you. I won’t teach students who aren’t practicing regularly because there is minimal growth happening. What’s happening between lessons is as important as what’s happening at the lesson.

 

I’m not feeling well, should I cancel my lesson?

• It depends on the level of not feeling well. If you have a fever and are in bed, you should cancel. If you have gone to school or work then you can probably take a lesson. Learning how to sing with a cold as well as deciding if you should sing with a cold are both good reasons to take the lesson. There will be many times when you have to sing when you aren’t feeling 100%. You will learn a lot about how to do that by keeping your lesson when appropriate.

 

Can I sit in on my child’s lesson?

• If you are interested in doing this, I allow it for the first lesson only. Every parent/child relationship is different but it is best that I develop a direct relationship with your child. This also allows them to develop an age appropriate independence in the learning process. A quick check-in during the first or final 5 minutes the lesson is always welcome and is helpful especially with younger students.

 

What is the difference between a vocal coach and a vocal teacher?

• A vocal coach is usually a skilled pianist that has an in depth knowledge of repertoire. Language meaning and pronunciation (for classical repertoire), as well as the ability to suggest appropriate repertoire for the singer, is also part of their skill set. They will have some knowledge of the voice but the specifics and functionality of the voice is not their specialty. (Though they might be able to use language and directives to help a singer use their voice better or more efficiently.)

• A voice teacher is someone who is an expert in how the voice specifically works and functions. A good voice teacher has the expertise to help a student build and develop their voice often in transformational ways. The line is often blurred between the two but if possible and when appropriate, one should go to a skilled vocal teacher for specific vocal issues and vocal development and complement that study with musical work with a coach that specializes in whatever genre you are performing.