Voice Lessons

I teach private lessons from my home studio in Bothell, WA just 1/2 mile off of HWY 405 and exit 22.

SCHOOL YEAR SCHEDULE:

1:00 pm to 10:00 pm Monday - Thursday
1:00 pm to 6:00 pm Saturday
Professionals ONLY Fridays and Sundays

SUMMER SCHEDULE:

12:00pm - 9:00pm Monday - Thursday
12:00pm - 6:00pm Friday
NO Saturday or Sunday
Workshops & Classes on Saturdays & Sundays

MUSIC STYLES:

Opera, Classical Art Song (lieder, chanson, etc.), Oratorio, Broadway, Gospel, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Heavy Metal, & Children's Music Skills

All of my students learn vocal and physical exercises that support the voice, not tear it down to a raw and sore throat. It is a travesty to any performer to have a sore throat - especially if it is caused by improper use of the instrument. All of my students receive the same technical background to begin with. Vowels and exercises for 6 months to ensure a healthy throat for all of my beginning students.

How we approach your lessons depends upon your immediate goals, long-term goals, and field of expertise.

ALL VOCAL STUDENTS LEARN:
breath support, body awareness through posture and muscle strengthening, basic pedagogy to understand which muscles do the work in our throats and entire body, exercises for muscle strength, technical training, vowels, ear training for accuracy, diction - diction - diction, theoretical studies, international phonetics for language accuracy, overall interpretation of the piece they are working on, and how to relate speaking to singing.

ACTORS learn exercises to warm up their instrument, diction exercises for accuracy of language, new approaches to memorize monologues, body work for freedom of the voice, preparation for auditions and performances, strength training for endurance, study of tempo, interpretation, and expression, and overall vocal health. Read the paragraph about singers as well.

SPEAKERS receive the same approach as actors with emphasis on technique, diction, presentation, and interpretation.

SINGERS learn to use their voice as an instrument that remains consistent through speech and song, breath support, posture, diction, international phonetic alphabet, a practice regimen for warm ups and performance prep, body work for relaxation and freedom of the voice, literature that meets the characteristics of the voice and the current abilities of the individual student, language accuracy, interpretation of literature, runs and scales for accuracy and freedom, sight reading and aural skills, music theory and music history referring to the composer whose music you are studying, and how to relate speaking to singing.

I have helped many young singers go on to music scholarships at music schools and summer music programs - musical theatre, opera, jazz, and rock. Those students who learn how to practice become truly wonderful singers. It takes discipline, desire, expression, emotion, physical stamina, self confidence, memorization skills, and listening to music ALL THE TIME.

The professionals who study with me walk out of my studio knowing their instrument and how to protect it from negative health issues. They learn how to feel their way through a performance. This means that we become physically in tune with how our muscles work and we trust that sensation instead of listening to ourselves which changes the way the muscles function. Power comes from all the muscles working together, not against each other. The more we practice with support and sensation, the stronger our instrument becomes. We must develope the muscles, not tear them down! This work has made the difference between a singer being a chorus member and being a lead performer. It also makes the difference in an actor being a lead role, supporting character, or part of the chorus. It takes you practicing and me teaching to the best of our abilities. We both will succeed.

Children learn at their own pace. How far they go with their theory depends upon many factors; age, focus, hand/eye coordination, logical thinking, aural skills, basic reading skills, and most importantly - practice.

Everyone is treated as an individual because no 2 people are alike. You are unique and will be treated as such. I am a tough, funny, and professional teacher who takes her teaching VERY seriously. I make this process fun through laughter and major pats on the back for improvements.

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