What is a voice lesson?
It is a weekly or bi-weekly meeting in my home, or virtually as requested or needed, that assesses what you have learned during your own individual practice. We start with body awareness, utilizing an Alexander Technique method of lying on the floor and evaluating the body's condition together known as "floorwork". We use yoga mats to lie on, and paperback books to lift the head, maintaining proper alignment of the spine. We also discuss how the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles are the foundation of how the body supports the singing/moving function. Sometimes, it looks like this...
Or this...
Then, we arise from the floor exercise to seated or standing, evaluate what we achieved and learn if we can maintain the ease and efficiency in our body that we found during our floorwork. This is NOT to become rigid or assume a consistent, flawless posture; it is to find what benefits our body when we ask it to do work, that is to SING! It generally looks like this...
Or this...
Or this...
Proceeding with warm up vocalizes (exercises), we arrive at a "performance ready" condition within the body, vocal folds, vocal tract, resonance spaces, and articulators. Generally, these vocalizes are chosen for their level of skill acquisition and application to the literature to be studied. Finally, we come to pieces that are being studied to further our knowledge, or for specific auditions, competitions or appearances. That can occasionally look like this...
What materials or supplies do I need?
A notebook, pencils, books and or a folio of pieces that you are working on, and printed materials that are given to you by myself. At home, you should have an area for practice where you can permit your body and voice to find its expressivity without embarrassment and have a sense of tranquility and peace. When coming to a lesson, I make the following suggestions for dress code
No torn jeans
No flip flops or sandals that do not support your feet properly
No "used " exercise clothes (please change or shower before arrival)
No very short shorts, skirts
No bare midriffs
No excessive cologne
How do we get started?
Contact me and we can set up a free consultation at my home. Your parents or guardians can attend as well so that they can ask questions, too. This is a complimentary mini or trial lesson that you or I will record so that you will have access to it for future reference.
How much do lessons cost?
As a professional vocalist and a retired voice faculty member at a research one institution of higher education, my rates are probably higher than other instructors in the area. You are purchasing my expertise and experience that you may not be able to find anywhere else in central Ohio.
3-4 Grade 30 minutes $35
5-9 Grade 45 minutes $40
10-12 Grade 60 minutes $50
Collegiate/Professional Contact me for length and pricing based on preparation, skill level
Lessons are paid a month in advance; you may pay by cash, check, or the following online payment options: PayPal, Venmo, Cash App.