About
I am committed to understanding every voice from both a technical and artistic perspective! I help students not only understand how to use the full power of their voices but feel safe and confident expressing themselves artistically.
I love how different everyone is. Every time a new student comes to my studio, I get to discover what's unique about their voice, their style, and how to help them reach their potential! As much as I enjoy the job itself, it's also helped me make friends and establish a community. It's a job that keeps on giving. :)
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
When I meet a new student, I ask them about their history with music, their current issues and their goals for the future. I then use a few different diagnostic tools to determine what might be causing them trouble. After that, we do tailored exercises to correct the problem, and then apply what they've learned to a song!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am certified in vocal pedagogy with the Institute for Vocal Advancement, and in addition have studied many other methods to round out my knowledge of vocal anatomy, common issues and the best possible solutions.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
For ease and simplicity, all students pay a flat rate monthly tuition for weekly lessons. Once you sign on, we'll go over this in detail!
How did you get started teaching?
Like most teachers I was a singer myself and found that I had dreams that exceeded my skills. After investing a lot of time and money in lessons, I felt frustrated and lost. I was never sure if my voice had gotten better or if I had just spun my wheels. I decided I wanted to take a real dive into the art of teaching voice and figure out in depth the way singing worked. It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears, but I eventually found a method that I loved! Now I have a way to teach both myself and my students that really works.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with a diverse group of ages, genders and voice types! Men, women, adults, children, light singers, strained singers, and many more!
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I had a student recently who had trouble with high notes. I noticed that even his speaking voice sounded strained, like he was trying to speak at an unnatural pitch. We realized that since he had been quiet as a child and constantly told to "speak up", he had developed a habit of speaking too high and squeezing/shouting to project his voice. With some exercises we released it into a beautiful baritone voice in a healthy range, improving the tone and eliminating the painful tension that blocked his high notes!
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Make sure they are trained in teaching singing specifically, not just trained in singing. Many teachers will try to apply what they have learned from training their own voices, but a good teacher will train students differently according to their particular vocal issue - there is no one-size-fits-all approach to singing, and what will or won't help is very dependent on the individual singer's tendency!
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Many students come to their lesson with a sincere but vague goal of wanting to "be better". I always like my students to really think about what it is they'd like to do with their voice so that we have a direction to go. The most helpful tips for a folk singer/songwriter will not be the same as the most helpful tips for a classical singer who wants to be in operas! There isn't always one clear answer, but it's a good thing to consider.