COACHING
The art of singing has long been shrouded by the belief that singing is a talent either gifted at birth or not at all. The problem with this belief is that it deters many people from reaching for the closest musical instrument we have at our disposal: the human voice. Furthermore, this belief complicates our understanding of how said “gift” can or should be developed and trained, often leading to illusive teaching methodologies based more on folklore than science. Fortunately, modern research in the field of voice science has provided evidence that there are specific physiological gestures made in the respiratory system, vocal tract, and resonators which, when executed properly, produce efficient and artful singing, accessible to most anyone with the desire to sing. This research allows vocal pedagogues, like myself, to build evidence-based teaching practices which incrementally condition and coordinate these gestures towards clear, healthy, emotionally communicative singing.
“I approach every student with the aim of giving the ‘voice more choice.’ Together we explore what vocal choices work best for each individual.”
Researchers in vocal science and pedagogy fields often draw comparisons between professional singers and athletes. Professional singers are described as “vocal athletes” in that they must carry out complex phonatory maneuvers where the vocal folds come together longer, more firmly, and more frequently than in speech. These maneuvers require endurance, flexibility, breath control, and coordination of the vocal tract that exceed the needs of speech. Much like athletes, learning and improving ones’ singing requires routine conditioning and incremental adjustments of this muscular coordination. This incremental conditioning allows the neuromuscular system to become habituated to maximally efficient singing, so that in performance the singer is free to focus on emotional expression and artistry. My coaching provides students with self-monitoring tools which allow them to foster the physical freedom and flexibility of voice needed to effectively communicate their story. With increased vocal freedom and flexibility, students awaken to the stylistic and artistic choices available to them in singing. I approach every student with the aim of giving the ‘voice more choice.’ Together we explore what vocal choices work best for each individual.
“I strive to teach each student to nurture their voice holistically, in a fashion that suites their individual needs as people and as vocalists.”
Lastly, my vocal coaching is structured around the knowledge that the human voice is the only musical instrument housed within the human body. This unique internal casing makes the singing voice exceptionally qualified to express who we are: emotionally, socially, culturally, physically, psychologically, and artistically. Singing, therefore, is nothing if not a holistic experience. The intrinsic connection of the singing voice to our selves (bodies and minds) requires that singers take care, not only of their instrument, but the case in which it is housed. I strive to teach each student to nurture their voice holistically, in a fashion that suites their individual needs as people and as vocalists. Through this approach, students of any skill level discover the ability to sing from a holistic place, and towards a sound that encompasses the story they wish to tell.
