FAQ

What do I teach? I teach singing, focusing on vocal technique that I believe will allow my students to sing well and with healthy vocal production. I teach technique for both contemporary commercial music (non-classical styles) and classical music. Contemporary commercial music and traditional classical music require different technique and skills, and I am academically trained to teach both.

What are my qualifications & background? I have been teaching singing since 1994, and I hold a Master of Arts degree in vocal pedagogy from Texas Woman’s University, where I studied with renowned teacher and author Joan Wall. I have continued my education through workshops and short courses and at Shenandoah University, where I became certified in Somatic Voicework ® The LoVetri Method, a method of teaching specifically directed toward non-classical styles of singing. I hold the highest certification in Somatic Voicework®, and I continue to work with Jeanette LoVetri, founder of Somatic Voicework®.

What ages do I teach? I teach adults and teens, and occasionally I teach younger students. I use a different curriculum with adults than I do with younger students because their goals and needs are not the same. Above all, I tailor lessons to each student’s needs.

What is covered in a lesson? Lessons usually have four components: relaxation and initial warm-up, extending technique, balancing the voice/vocal registers, and application to song. There is no set amount of time spent on any one part of the lesson, and the needs of the student determine how much time is spent on each segment.

Where are lessons taught? I teach at my home in Allen, about a mile east of the intersection of Greenville Ave. and Main St.

What do lessons cost? The cost varies according to the length of the lesson, where you schedule and the way you schedule lessons. My regular tuition rates are based on a 10-month term from August through May or September through June. For full-term and half-term packages, the tuition each month is the same, based on the length of the lesson and the location of the lessons. I will customize packages for adults and working actors.

Will I schedule only a couple of lessons to prepare for an audition? Yes, but the charge is the current hourly charge for a single lesson, with a one hour minimum, payable at the time of the lesson. If you prefer two 45-minute lessons, the charge is prorated and the total payable at the first lesson. This option is only for singers who have had previous training. Scheduled lessons are non-refundable and subject to the cancellation policy.

How do you get started? I ask every potential student except those who want to prepare for an audition to schedule an evaluation lesson that allows you to evaluate me and allows me to evaluate your voice, your skills, your vocal development, and your technique. The charge is $45, a significant discount off my hourly rate, and it takes about an hour and a half. Then you decide if you want to join my studio.