I’ve never taken lessons before, what should I expect?
Singing in front of a new person, especially one-on-one, can be a little stressful, but you needn’t worry about your first lesson with me. Here’s what to expect. We’ll chat about your past singing experience, discuss what kinds of music you like best, and talk about your future goals regarding your singing. I’ll lead you through some simple vocal exercises to get to know your instrument. Finally, we’ll discuss some options for moving forward with lessons. After the lesson, I’ll send you an audio or video recording of our time together. That’s it. Easy peasy.
Once we’ve gotten beyond our initial get acquainted session, we’ll typically spend the first half of your 55-minute lesson on vocal exercises to build your technique. We’ll spend the second half singing repertoire and putting that technique into practice.
Do you offer lessons shorter than 55 minutes?
I believe 55 minutes is the ideal lesson length for most singers, but 25-minute lessons will sometimes be recommended for students under the age of 13.
At what age should my child start voice lessons?
I usually prefer teaching individual private lessons to children age 10 or older. I have made exceptions for young singers who were actively performing in chorus or theatre and needed guidance to keep their voices healthy. Singers between the ages of four and nine are welcome in my Kids Sing and homeschool music classes where they can learn the fundamentals of singing technique, music history, and music theory while having loads of fun with their friends.
How do online lessons work?
Online lessons work much the same way as lessons in my studio do, but many students prefer having lessons in the comfort and privacy of their own homes. Technology has advanced to the point that an online lesson (via Zoom) feels almost like an in-person meeting, with few hiccups or audio lag issues. When considering this option, it is important to have a fast internet connection, an adequate microphone, good speakers, and a private place to sing without distractions from roommates, pets, or family members.
How much do lessons cost?
Most of my students pay for their lessons monthly. They commit to a weekly time with me and are billed during the last week of each month for lessons the following month. This allows for consistent improvement and guarantees that there is always space in my studio for regular students. A la carte lessons are sometimes available, but are not guaranteed.
Monthly plan: $290 per month for weekly 55-minute lessons. $145 per month for weekly 25-minute lessons.
A la carte: $81.25 for each 55-minute lesson.
What do I need to bring to lessons?
A pencil (or stylus if you’re working on a tablet), a copy of any music that we’re working on, some water to drink, and a great attitude.
What styles do you teach?
My performing background is in opera and musical theatre, and I imagine I’ll always feel most at home in those styles. In recent years, I’ve gone ‘back to school’, attending the CCM (Contemporary Commercial Music) Institute at Shenandoah University and becoming certified in Somatic Voicework™ The LoVetri Method at Level III. This has really expanded my toolbox for working with singers on contemporary music and has increased my confidence in singing in more contemporary styles myself. (I’ve even started learning to play the guitar in the hopes of adding to my street cred.)
How long will it take to see some improvement?
As with most things in life, what you give is what you get. You will likely be surprised by the kind of improvement that can be made in a single lesson, however, if you don’t practice on your own in between our lessons together, you’ll have difficulty reliably recreating the sounds that you want to make. Most students study for several months at a minimum before they are able to sing with a consistent, reliable technique. The building of my own instrument has been, and continues to be, the work of a lifetime.
So, how much should I practice?
Singing is a physical skill requiring muscular coordination. In lessons we will be instilling some new habits and breaking some old ones. In order to see real progress it is recommended that students spend at least 15-30 minutes vocalizing pretty much every day. This is not something you should plan to cram into 90 minutes one day a week. Additional time will be spent learning new music, working on music theory, etc.
Should I come to lessons if I’m sick?
If you’re too sick to go to school or work, you’re probably too sick to sing, and if you’re contagious, I definitely don’t want your germs. Plan to stay home and rest, and we’ll reschedule your lesson. Please note that I require 24 hours advance notice for a cancellation, so if you think rescheduling might be a possibility please let me know with enough advance time. If you wake up feeling better the next day, you can always contact me to see if your time is still available.
I’m sick and I’ve lost my voice! What can I do to get it back?
If you can’t make any sound at all, the best remedy is rest—both vocal (including speaking!) and physical. Try to minimize coughing and throat-clearing, which can really wreak havoc on your vocal folds. Mucus dripping down the back of your throat can irritate your vocal folds, causing them to swell. Irrigating your nose with a neti pot can help to keep nasal passages clear without the need for drying medication. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. You should be drinking at least half your body weight in ounces of water on a daily basis even when healthy. In addition to drinking water, you should also try steaming—either by standing in a hot shower, using a personal steam inhaler, or carefully steaming over a pot on the stove. Do not spend too much time testing your voice. If you can’t sing a soft, sustained ‘ooo’ vowel without cracking, you need more rest/healing time. Singing on compromised vocal folds can add more days of laryngitis and ‘pushing through’ can cause bad vocal habits to creep in. Take your time getting well and don’t worry—it always comes back.
