Singing Lessons in Chicago

Introduction: The voice is a unique instrument to teach in that it cannot be separated from the person. You cannot put it into a case at the end of each lesson and bring it out to practice when it feels right. The voice is with us all day through all of our emotional ups and downs. Thus, my approach to teaching voice considers the mind, body, and spirit. Students must feel at ease in order to achieve a freely expressed sound. In order to energize the body, loosen tense muscles, and relax the mind, I prefer to start each lesson with stretching exercises. This is generally followed by vocal warm-ups. Warm-ups are vital in developing a healthy vocal foundation and technique. Some important aspects of vocal technique, such as breath, vocal legato, and resonance, can be fairly abstract concepts. It is always my goal to develop a specific vocabulary of exercises and ideas that best speak to each student. Once the vocabulary has been established, we can begin incorporating them into a song. Vocal warm-ups also provide a great opportunity for vocal exploration. That is, making new and sometimes funny sounds. Stepping away from the piano and exploring a student's vocal potential outside of the context of a song, provides them with confidence in the ability to use their voices in many different and more powerful ways.