Renee Maranan Vocal Studio
About
Hi! My name is Renee Maranan. I am a Level 5 (Mentor) Certified Instructor through the Institute of Vocal Advancement. I am also a full member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). My mission as a vocal instructor is to empower the singer to perform with ease, versatility, and control, while maintaining a healthy voice.
My experience as a singing instructor began in 2001 as a self-employed vocal coach and also a part-time instructor at local music schools in Vancouver, BC (Canada). Realizing the need for a more effective teaching method, I sought further training to improve my skills as a singer and instructor. In 2007, I began the certification process through the Speech Level Singing organization under the tutelage of Spencer Welch. During this period, I also received training from SLS Master Teachers Dean Kaelin, Dave Stroud, Wendy Parr, and Greg Enriquez. I joined the Institute for Vocal Advancement upon its inception in 2013, continuing my training with Spencer Welch as well as other IVA Master Teachers, including Jeffrey Skouson, Guy Babusek, and Linda Tomkinson. In recent years, I have taken a special interest in peak performance psychology, reviewing a growing list of resources on the topic and sharing my knowledge to help students cope with stage fright and performance anxiety.
Students can expect their lesson time to be focused, productive and empowering. My positive nature and sense of humor help to create a very comfortable and open learning environment. I combine my gift for teaching and my passion for music to bring out the best in every student, at every level.
I love seeing students reach breakthroughs! That being said, I also love the challenge of making connections with different personalities, experiences, backgrounds, and skill levels. Singing is about so much more than hitting notes and delivering melody lines. Whenever I am able to help a student discover their range, or sing a difficult passage, or cope with their stage fright, I feel that I am helping them to do so much more than sing. Rather, we are uncovering more of their potential, self-worth, and identity through the process of working on their voice. It's a true privilege for me as a musician and instructor.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
We begin with an assessment, where I listen to the student's voice. This isn't an audition! This is simply a means for me to gather information about the student's vocal tendencies, which helps me to decide what tools I need to use in order to get them closer to their goals.
After the assessment, we will go through a series of exercises. Depending on how we do with the exercises, we may move on to song application, where we apply the principles of vocal technique to an actual song.
At the end of each lesson, we will summarize everything we covered. I will make suggestions about possible learning plans for the future, as well as things that the student can do on their own to further their progress.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am a certified instructor with the Institute for Vocal Advancement (IVA). I also have over 35 years of singing experience, 30 years of performing experience, and 20 years of songwriting experience.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Lessons are $40/half hour or $80/full hour.
How did you get started teaching?
I started teaching because friends and family asked me to teach them private lessons. As I got further in my teaching, I realized that I needed more tools to be a truly effective teacher. This is how I started in my certification process.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with students between the ages 6 and 82, with skill levels ranging from complete and total beginners to professional performers and recording artists. I have also worked with groups such as choirs and a cappella groups.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Look for a teacher who empowers, challenges, and encourages you. Teachers are also artists, singers, or performers in their own right, so a good teacher knows to build on the emotional and mental well-being of their students. It is also important to learn about their teaching technique - not just where they went to college but where or how they learned their method of teaching voice. This could be the difference between a teacher who helps build your instrument versus the teacher who does more harm than good. Lastly, find a teacher that you personally feel comfortable with. It takes a lot of courage to sing in front of a teacher, so it's important to train with someone you feel you can trust.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What kind of music do you like to sing?
What kind of songs do you think you sound good singing?
What do you hope to achieve through voice lessons?
What are your singing/performance goals?
What are your budget and scheduling requirements?
Do you have any medical conditions that a vocal instructor needs to know about?