Meet me!
My bio and resume can be found on my home page, but here’s some info about me that isn’t in there.
First things first- I love this job. Not only have I been a voice teacher full time for almost a decade, I even got an advanced degree specifically for teaching voice and singing. I am focused on helping my students be better singers and I try to adapt my teaching style to what you need to help you succeed. I celebrate with you when you achieve a goal and when you fall short, I help you figure out where you can improve and encourage you for the next time, so you can learn and be better.
In the few hours a day I spend outside of music, I enjoy board games, the gym, scifi/fantasy novels and other media, knitting, and snuggling my cats (who are the unofficial mascots of the home studio, as they believe I run a cat-petting business).
Lessons
Teaching Philosophy
My focus as a teacher is to help you learn how to have a released, tension-free technique to promote vocal vibrancy and longevity. I want you to sound like yourself, no matter what style you’re focusing on; the foundations of good technique are the same for almost every vocal style. I want you to understand how your voice works, how to manage its quirks and eccentricities, and learn how to work with it under stressful scenarios; most importantly, I want you to learn how to sing well consistently.
In order to accomplish this, from you I need honesty and diligence. If you don’t understand me, please say something- it’s my job to teach you, and if I don’t know you’re missing things, I can’t change what I’m doing and fix it. In addition, I need you to practice consistently- we will talk about what that looks like for you, but daily practice will eventually need to become part of your own habits.
What To Expect
Our first meeting is a free consultation; if you are underage I request that a parent be present at this consult (though they will not need to come to future lessons). We will sit and talk, I will ask you some open-ended questions (no right or wrong answers), and then I’ll take you through some basic vocal exercises to see what your voice is doing. We’ll sit down and talk some more about what I heard and how I’d like to approach your voice, you’ll be able to ask me questions, I’ll talk about the studio policies, and we’ll potentially set a time for your first lesson.
All-State
I love working with students on All-State music. I am thorough and persnickety, ensuring correct notes and rhythms, making sure music is learned correctly, working with students on good diction, dynamics, and musicianship while also focusing on excellence in legato, released tone and focused sound. My students have done well in All-State auditions; about two-thirds make it to Region choir every year, and about a third make it to Area auditions. I had two All-State singers my first year teaching in Texas (this is my second year), with two first alternates.
If you are largely participating in voice lessons to do well in All-State, I strongly encourage you to consider year-round lessons rather than just lessons immediately prior to auditions; building vocal technique takes longer than a few weeks and it is easiest to make major vocal changes when an audition isn’t breathing down one’s neck.