Doug Gardiner Vocal Fitness And Balance
About
Thanks for your interest! I specialize in Voice Lessons and vocal technique training for singers of all levels of experience and of all ages. I teach singing lessons in all styles from Pop, Rock, R&B, Musical Theater, Jazz and Classical. My students include singers who haven’t ever had a voice lesson to experienced recording artist and performers. Every lesson is made for each individual singer and their specific needs at the time of their lesson and for their long term goals. Voice lessons are designed to create freedom of movement and agility within their vocal instrument, develop and build vocal range, strength, and consistency of tone between head voice and chest voice and to understand the co-ordinated action of the two, gain ease of performance in multiple musical styles and to work toward technical proficiency and artistic mastery. From the start, a student will build an understanding of how the voice works, their particular strengths and weaknesses and a straightforward plan to develop lifelong goals of proficiency and artistic freedom.
My studio is in West Hollywood. Please feel free to call, email or text. Let’s visit about my passion to teach singing and how voice lessons can quickly unlock eagerness, confidence and joy.
Doug
Singing has been my joy and profession for all of my life. By combining my training in vocal performance and theater, my experience as a performer, my knowledge of the vocal anatomy and how it works, and my extensive training in vocal pedagogy, I have a functional approach that can quickly develop students skills, achieve their singing goals and reach their musical potential.
Highlights
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Specialties
Musical styles
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
My studio is in West Hollywood with easy access and parking. I offer a free 20 minute consultation in person or on the phone and I look forward for the opportunity to share my passion with you. My expertise is developing voice talent at all levels of skill and experience. A good voice teacher is one who is skilled in functional listening and has the ability to recognize symptoms, determine causes and devise cures. You can’t do it on your own. I teach in all musical styles but my focus is vocal technique and mechanics. Art and technique are two different things.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My professional career began at a young age as did my voice studies. I’m a member of the performers unions and have sung in all genres of musical style with an emphasis in the great american song book and theater. I studied vocal performance in college and vocal pedagogy privately since 1994.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$65.00/30 minutes.
Details of price and fee packages info available at douggardiner.com
A sliding scale may apply to some ongoing students and details of that may be discussed in person.
How did you get started teaching?
My teaching career began in conjunction with my own voice studies in Los Angeles with a world renowned voice teacher and laryngologist.
What types of students have you worked with?
My expertise is developing voice talent at all levels of skill and experience, including speakers, teachers and actors both amature and professional.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Delibes: Lakmé - Duo des fleurs (Flower Duet), Sabine Devieilhe & Marianne CrebassaThis Beautiful Rendition Of Cher's "Believe" by Adam Lambert
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Don’t be mislead by the many singing teachers who can only offer false imagery. You deserve and should expect a return for your money. Success can be measured in results and I guarantee results in our first lesson and every lesson thereafter.
Art and technique are two different things. What is certain is this: easy free agile singing can only be understood and achieved by studying natural function itself. That is to say, by knowing the relationship between natural behavior, muscle action, a tonal product and environmental conditions (vocal exercises, musical phrases and style).
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Musical genres, style and interpretation are as personal as technique and mechanics are impersonal. Ask your teacher to explain why you are doing a particular exercise, what is its purpose and what issue in my voice does that directive address. Ask your teacher to explain what they mean when asking you to “support the tone”. What is the action attached to that instruction? Ask your teacher what “breath management” means and to define the specific action involved. Are they clear in their answer? Does their answer describe a physiological movement? Meaning, does their answer deal with the function of the vocal mechanism? Or is their answer clouded with vague imagery? Does the answer they give make clear what it is that governs the breath? If you’re not quite sure, call me. I can explain.
A great voice teacher can develop a voice that will flourish in all genres. A vocal coach can help you learn and deliver a song but often doesn’t know how the voice works and will likely reinforce bad habits that lead to an imbalance, loss of range and more.