Philosophy

Anyone who can speak can learn to sing. Anyone who sings can learn to sing more beautifully and more easily. Taking voice lessons will help the voice become more useful, expanding the range, gaining endurance, improving consistency, and learning to sing a variety of musical periods and vocal styles. With vocal study, the singer will gain the ability to keep from damaging the voice, helping it to last a lifetime. In order to reach these goals, each lesson will contain technical exercises (vocalises) and vocal literature (songs). Each voice is a unique, individual sound and must be nurtured and treasured.

One benefit of studying singing is the confidence a person gains through self- expression born of music. This confidence may be reflected in public performance. Every well-prepared student will be given the opportunity to perform, but performance is not required.

A voice lesson is usually one half-hour or one hour of instruction each week. Part of the lesson will be spent developing the voice and part of the lesson will be applying those skills to songs. Daily practice is necessary for advancement. One should do technical vocal exercises and then move to practicing assigned songs. Fifteen minutes a day can result in progress. Longer periods of practice will increase the student's level of accomplishment.

There is an indefinable joy in discovering how words and music are molded together into songs, enabling us to express our deepest emotions. May each student's journey in song fulfill that joy.