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1.)
How many lessons will I need?
This is a very difficult question to answer because there
are so many variables. Each and every person is different.
Some learn faster than others and some have a tendency
to practice more and are fanatic about consistency. The
most important thing to consider is what you are starting
with. A student starting at the very beginning may progress
faster than a student with a number of bad habits that
they have picked up over the years. |
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2.)
If someone asked me: “How many lessons will it take
you to teach me proper breathing?"
The answer to this is generally one lesson. Now if you
were the kid always staring out the window in school,
it may take two or three. |
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3.)
I'm a professional and I just want to fix a few bad habits,
will I have to start fresh or can you fix specific problems?
Yes I can fix basic problems and bad habits without having
to over-haul your voice. You are always in the driver's
seat. Just let me know what you need and I'm happy to
help. |
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4.)
I'm a professional and I need help but I would prefer
to keep it confidential. Are you willing to sign a confidentiality
agreement?
Of course. I have many times in the past and I'm sure
I will again in the future. |
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5.)
I'm a voice teacher myself and I'm finding that I'm picking
up some of my student's bad habits. Is this normal?
Yes this is normal. For a number of years I would make
regular visits to one of my old voice teachers for a tune
up. As one of my past student teachers once said: “Even
a Barber has to get their hair cut by somebody.”
There are a few specific things that I look for when working
with other teachers. A voice teacher has a tremendous
workload placed on their voice and it must be maintained
in a specific way. |
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6.)
What are you like as a teacher?
To be honest, I view myself more as a coach in as far
as teaching technique goes. I use an energetic hands on
approach that delivers results. Imparting knowledge alone
is not enough for me. I like to see and hear positive
proof that the technique is being used properly before
the student leaves the studio. |
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7.)
What do you cover in a voice lesson?
It really depends on what the student needs. A lot of
teachers will hand you an impressive list such as:
Breath Support/Breath Control
Breaking through the Register Break
Range
Posture
Vowel Technique
ETC etc including some new age silliness that is far too
foolish to even mention.
The simple fact of the matter is that I've been teaching
for over twenty years and I can tell you honestly that
if you work on more than one or two things in a lesson,
you are wasting your time. You may need help with breath
control, because a bad habit within your breath control
is causing your high notes to fall apart, or you find
that you are losing power. Working on a solution to the
root of the problem is cost effective and usually has
more benefit to the singer than a shotgun approach of
working on too many areas at once or focusing on the symptom.
If you spent two months trying to strengthen your high
notes when the problem all along was your breath control
then you would have just wasted two months. |
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8.)
Do you assign homework?
Of course I do! Some students would rather not have any
homework assigned and are very clear on that fact. All
I can say is, it's your money. If you are just singing
as a hobby and are clear about this in the beginning,
you will be excused from homework assignments. |
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9.)
What does homework consist of?
My idea of homework for a singer is practice with a focus
on specific techniques. I don't expect essays. Keep in
mind that this is singing we are talking about and it's
fun. I'm not teaching algebra so relax and sing me a song. |
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10.)
What about exercises?
At times I will ask a student to practice a specific exercise
but I prefer to build exercises into the song practice.
Unless you plan on a career based solely on the performance
of vocal exercises there is no need to waste time. Most
modern teachers of experience and sufficient training
prefer to dispense with endless scales and superfluous
exercises in favour of an actual musical piece that can
be used more effectively. |
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11.)
I don't seem to be getting anywhere with my current teacher.
What do I do?
Find a different teacher. We are not all created equal.
You should be seeing results on a regular basis. If you
are not, you either have a teacher that has taken you
as far as they can or you are not applying yourself. Talk
to your teacher or Voice Coach and explain your concerns. |
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12.)
What kind of styles do you teach?
I can teach every style of singing. I am a fully trained
teacher with 10 years of Classical training and 6 years
of Modern training. I also have a background in Speech
Pathology but I discount the majority of this training
due to the fact that a relatively small percentage of
it pertains to singing. It is however quite helpful when
I have a student who is seeing me primarily for speech
purposes. |
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13.)
What kind of students will you accept?
I'll accept any student over the age of 14 that is serious
about learning to sing. On occasion I will accept younger
students but an audition is required. My students range
from beginners to professionals including signed artists
and voice teachers. Before you even ask, no, I will
not provide a list of stars that I have taught. Scroll
upwards and refer to the confidentiality agreement section. |
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14.)
Where are you located?
I'm located in North Vancouver, BC and yes the studio
is complete with microphones. I refrain from leaving my
studio address on this site because lessons are by appointment
only and drop-ins are a distraction to students with a
lesson in progress. |
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