Teaching Philosophy

Throughout many years of learning and teaching, we gather inspiration, techniques and tricks to bring out the best in our students.  Often times, we start out with exercises we have learned in our own musical journey.  

Proper vocal production is a scaffolding of many different layers working in sync to promote a healthy tone and timber.  With beginning singers, it is important to find the proper placement of resonance.  Most teachers start with the concepts of breathing and support, but this is not the ideal starting place.  If we begin here, there is a tendency to latch onto dark back vowels and although possible, it is a much harder road to eventually bring the voice forward.  By starting with a forward and resonant position, we can add the support mechanism later.  I do talk about support in the early stages, but it is not the focal point of beginner students.

1. Singing into the mask.  This is a common phrase for students and teachers.  This can be described as placing the sound into the bone structures around the nose, cheeks and brow.    

2. Keeping the sound above the teeth and the energy below the diaphragm. We all have the misconception that singing is done with the throat.  Yes, some things happen in the throat and with the vocal chords which are at the base of the throat, but the energy is produced low (diaphram to pelvis) and the sound is made when the air passed through the vocal folds and out through “the mask”.

3. Expanding the ribs.  This is something that is necessary to allow the diaphragm to sit in the downward-engaged position.  Allowing the ribs to open and the lungs to take on air. We should open this mechanism up to prevent gravity from taking over and releasing all of the air.  This is a concept of the buoyancy, anti-collapse, and a state of suspension.  We don’t hold the air in this position, we just don’t allow it to escape; This is caused by staying open.

The end result of staying open and supported and placing the sound in the mask, leads to a healthy and free flowing resonant sound. This is a process that takes time, but will happen quicker if we follow these principles.

Pricing

• 1 hour lesson – $50
• 90 Minute lesson -$70
• 2 hour master class – $500