Teaching Philosophy

My goal as a voice teacher is to create a warm and constructive learning environment that helps students to always find joy in singing, whether they are pursuing music professionally or as an avocation. In this environment, students can feel free to share ideas, take risks, make mistakes, and develop musically and emotionally. I believe that valuable leadership skills are developed in the voice studio. Dedicated daily practice, and preparation for juries, recitals, or auditions require high levels of organization and motivation from students. Sharing your talents with an audience requires a great deal of courage, strength, and vulnerability. I strongly believe that these skillsets can be implemented in other areas of a student’s life.

In order to establish and maintain healthy vocal technique, it is important for students to gain some awareness of their singing mechanism and how it functions. In my studio, I will gradually teach students basic anatomy that includes key members of the Respiratory, Phonatory, Articulatory, and Resonatory Systems that all aid in healthy vocal production. This knowledge, given to students as they need it, will allow them to think more critically about what is happening when they are singing. For example, understanding that the tongue has connections to the hyoid bone, which is connected to the larynx, could help a student visualize what occurs when they retract their tongue and their sound becomes stifled. The larynx depresses because the tongue retracts. Locating where students are experiencing unnecessary tension in the body, simply making them aware of it, and gradually working to lessen that tension through specific physical and vocal exercises will promote healthier, easier singing. Addressing unhealthy speaking habits in students can also reduce unnecessary tension and produce a clearer, more resonant vocal sound. The text is crucial in storytelling, and establishing healthy speaking habits in singers will allow them to sing with flexibility and freedom.

Singing also allows students to access and express a full range of emotions. I believe that we each have many stories to share, and that singing is one of the most challenging and rewarding ways for us to do that. I aim to create a voice studio where we can build a student’s confidence and help them find their unique voice by being attentive to their own personal goals, interests, and unique personality. 

 

Diversity Statement

I intend to create a warm and respectful studio environment that is inclusive of all students, regardless of gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, disability, age, or socioeconomic status. I believe that diverse learning environments help students and teachers view their own lives and situations from new perspectives, and these perspectives help both parties become more empathetic and sensitive toward others. Diversity in the arts allows people’s stories to be heard in creative and poignant ways. I believe that every student should have the opportunity to share their voice and their experiences in a safe environment that encourages personal growth, in addition to musical growth. Sometimes the art that we create as singers requires us to display varying levels of physical and emotional vulnerability. While this can be very empathetic, cathartic, and rewarding, it can also be difficult and uncomfortable. My studio will be a mutually respectful environment where students can feel comfortable to discuss challenging topics with me. Sharing our thoughts and ideas in healthy and constructive ways allows us to learn from one another, and in turn, share this kind of vulnerability with others through our art. Singing requires a great deal of courage, focus, and vulnerability. I will work to ensure that I foster an environment where students can feel comfortable to express their truest selves and their own diversity through musical and emotional expression.