Teaching Philosophy
“Alas for those that never sing, but die with all their music in them!” ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
For as long as I can remember, singing has been the most effective way for me to communicate my thoughts and feelings. And that is exactly what singing is: a form of communication. Effective singing is a combination of said communication with beautiful sounds emanating from the voice. Sometimes, physical and mental challenges stand in the way as we try express ourselves freely through song. My desire as a voice teacher is to lead the singer on a journey to free expression through the creation of beautiful singing.
I believe that the success of a teacher is determined by his or her ability to motivate the student to go beyond what is expected to that which is extraordinary. Those moments when I feel goose bumps as a result of an exciting sound produced, or when I am brought to tears as a result of a beautiful expression of a phrase; those are the moments when I feel successful as a teacher and would not trade my profession for the world!
In order to motivate a student in such a manner, it is absolutely necessary for the teacher and student to establish a relationship of trust. This relationship creates a comfortable learning atmosphere as the student comes to discover his or her voice. As a voice teacher, I wish to create a nurturing environment so that the student is comfortable with my assessments and sees me as a mentor. This type of environment will also allow for successes and failures. I believe both to be essential in the growth of a singer. Failure builds endurance while success builds confidence. Failure cannot exist effectively without success. For this reason, the student needs to be given vocal exercises and repertoire that is challenging, but not out of his or her ability to perform successfully.
Not all students or voices are created equal. And as such, my job as a voice teacher is to treat my students as individuals who require unique applications of my teaching techniques. However, the goal is always the same: creating a most beautiful legato tone. I believe that vowels, registration, dynamics, breath, posture, and energy all play integral parts in producing such a sound.
Generally, one-half to two-thirds of lessons are centered on technical exercises concerning the elements listed below. The rest of the lesson is geared toward applying these techniques to repertoire. Vocal exercises are essential tools that allow a student to concentrate of the purely mechanical aspects of a healthy vocal technique. But elements of vocal technique must be applied and reinforced through singing the literature.
Lastly, as a voice teacher, I strive to continue to take every opportunity to research and further my education. Individual research, belonging to organizations such as NATS, and subscribing to various opera and singing magazines are ways to enhance my abilities as a professional singer and teacher. This benefits my students as they further their vocal studies.
Foundations for Beautiful Singing
Vowels
Registration
Dynamics
Breath
Posture
Energy
I believe that the success of a teacher is determined by his or her ability to motivate the student to go beyond what is expected to that which is extraordinary. Those moments when I feel goose bumps as a result of an exciting sound produced, or when I am brought to tears as a result of a beautiful expression of a phrase; those are the moments when I feel successful as a teacher and would not trade my profession for the world!
In order to motivate a student in such a manner, it is absolutely necessary for the teacher and student to establish a relationship of trust. This relationship creates a comfortable learning atmosphere as the student comes to discover his or her voice. As a voice teacher, I wish to create a nurturing environment so that the student is comfortable with my assessments and sees me as a mentor. This type of environment will also allow for successes and failures. I believe both to be essential in the growth of a singer. Failure builds endurance while success builds confidence. Failure cannot exist effectively without success. For this reason, the student needs to be given vocal exercises and repertoire that is challenging, but not out of his or her ability to perform successfully.
Not all students or voices are created equal. And as such, my job as a voice teacher is to treat my students as individuals who require unique applications of my teaching techniques. However, the goal is always the same: creating a most beautiful legato tone. I believe that vowels, registration, dynamics, breath, posture, and energy all play integral parts in producing such a sound.
Generally, one-half to two-thirds of lessons are centered on technical exercises concerning the elements listed below. The rest of the lesson is geared toward applying these techniques to repertoire. Vocal exercises are essential tools that allow a student to concentrate of the purely mechanical aspects of a healthy vocal technique. But elements of vocal technique must be applied and reinforced through singing the literature.
Lastly, as a voice teacher, I strive to continue to take every opportunity to research and further my education. Individual research, belonging to organizations such as NATS, and subscribing to various opera and singing magazines are ways to enhance my abilities as a professional singer and teacher. This benefits my students as they further their vocal studies.
Foundations for Beautiful Singing
Vowels
- Vowels must be sung with an open throat. An open throat assists in creating sounds with optimal resonance.
Registration
- Optimal resonance cannot exist throughout a singer’s range if the registers (i.e. head and chest voice) cannot coexist.
- Registers may be strengthened through isolation.
Dynamics
- Dynamics play an important role in the balancing of registers.
- Softer dynamics appeal to the head voice
- Louder dynamics appeal to the chest voice
- A singer’s ability messa di voce plays an important role in their ability to sing with ease through combined registers.
Breath
- A singer’s breath must be quiet, relaxed, and energized
- Air must be released at a consistent energized rate in order to create beautiful spin in the sound.
Posture
- A singer’s posture must not interfere with creating beautiful sounds.
Energy
- We must be ready to sing before we sing!