Why should I study voice?

There are so many reasons to study voice.  The study of singing has been shown to build self-esteem and confidence.  Singing is linked to increased brain function, intelligence, and mathematical skill.  Through performances, you build speaking and communication skills as well as develop presentation and leadership skills.  Studying music requires the ability to focus and a strong work ethic, which are valuable skills in all areas of life.  Music can help build character and allows you to connect with others through its universal language.  On top of all of this, music is shown to have healing properties, such as lowering blood pressure, soothing stress and chronic pain, and promoting healthy breathing.  Most importantly to me, music allows for a creative outlet.  The musician is able to express oneself through the music and learn to know oneself even more.

What will we do in voice lessons?

During voice lessons, we will begin with warm-ups to prepare your voice for the lesson.  We will work on vocalises, or vocal exercises to train your voice and build a solid technique.  We will work on sight singing and ear training to help your overall musicianship.  We will focus on proper breathing.  We will work on various styles of music, both in English and in foreign languages, studying the words, their meanings, and the relationship between the music and text.  We will find joy in expressing music, tackle challenges, and grow artistically.  We will work together to be healthy mentally, physically, and emotionally -- all important facets of good singing.

How much should I practice? 

There is no straight answer for how much do you need to practice every week.  However, daily practice is necessary to fully benefit from voice lessons.  The amount of time will vary with each person, but it is important that each minute you spend in practice is used carefully with complete concentration on your task.  A short amount of careful practicing is much more beneficial than an hour of singing with no goals or focus.  Problem areas in any vocal exercise or song should be worked on carefully and slowly at home.

As in a voice lesson, it is important that you are warmed-up before you begin practicing songs.  A strong technique comes from working on the voice exercises and warm-ups we discuss in our lessons.  For those beginning lessons, much of our time together will be spent on vocal exercises to solidify your technique and this is what you should focus on outside of lesson time as well.  Without a solid beginning, learning songs and other pieces will be more difficult later.

There are also many ways one can practice as well.   In the beginning, we will focus on breathing and vocal exercises.  Most of your practice time should be filled with these things.  As you advance, songs will be introduced.  With songs, there can be time spent analyzing poetry, working on notes and rhythms, listening to other recordings of the song, translating the text when in a foreign language, memorization, and countless other items.  You do not have to be singing all of the time to be practicing.

When you are singing, though, practice should be done in a standing position to achieve good body posture and support.  If you need to sit, ensure both feet are firmly on the ground, and you sit up straight.  Try to practice in front of the mirror as often as possible so you can watch your posture and how your body moves. 

When your voice feels tired, stop practicing for a period of time.  Never push your voice beyond what seems to be physically comfortable.  A head cold or minor sore throat should not keep you from singing; however, if your speaking voice is affected by your illness, do not practice singing.  Use these days for memorization, practicing rhythm, or listening to recordings.

How long will it take for me to become a better singer?

There is no correct answer for this question.  It will vary from person to person depending on your natural talent and musicianship, your previous knowledge of music, and how much you work outside of our lessons on the ideas we discuss.  You will not become an overnight sensation from taking one or two lessons.  However, with diligent and careful practice, building a strong technique, you will begin to notice changes in the first few months.  These changes will only grow and get better as we continue our work together.

Why do I teach singing?

I love music and I love teaching.  Teaching voice lessons marries my two passions together, allowing me to pass on my knowledge and ideas to others who want to sing.  I have been blessed with caring, nurturing teachers throughout my singing career and I want to bless others in this way.  I want to provide a safe space for people of all ages to explore their voices and find the same joy, amusement, passion, and excitement I do in music.