My Approach
Through 15 years of teaching I have developed my own approach to the art of teaching singing. I am continually surprised and pleased with the dramatic transformation that I witness in my students growth, often during the first lesson.

I specialize in a “voice as an instrument” approach. I have created my own “body, breath, voice warm-up” as I see these three elements as inseparable. The warm-up encourages relaxation, effortless vocalizing, a positive singing stance, whole-body breathing and brings an awareness of "you" as your instrument. I work with developing musicianship skills and ear-training which are also tremendous confidence builders, so necessary for singers. I have developed tools for opening the voice so that one can utilize one’s vocal instrument to it’s potential with all of it’s colors, nuances, range and power. My teaching method combines improvisational exercises to free the voice and explore vocal possibilities in search of one’s personal sound and style with more traditional exercises that focus on specific skills such as strength, flexibility, intonation, extending range and breath support. I encourage expressing your own originality, not taking away from what you already have. That is to say, we will expand your skills and vocal palette perhaps replacing some old habits with more positive ones.

Teaching voice is a vast subject. For some students a few lessons are enough as the first handful of lessons are especially powerful. For other students who prefer to go more deeply the work can continue for years. It’s up to you as to how many lessons you take. Lessons and vocal exercises are personalized according to the need of each student.

PRIVATE LESSONS

How to Warm-up; Body, Breath & Voice
A variety of gentle body stretches, relaxation & awareness work breath work & exercises to warm & open the voice; tools that you can use for the rest of your life.

Vocal Technique:
Breath Support
Strength/Projection
Range
Intonation
Flexibility/Fluidity

Vocal Execises:
Traditional exercises to work on developing & improving specific skills. Improvisational exercises to explore the voice searching for personal style, nuances & colors & one’s own language.
Exercises that stretch the ear

Ear Training:
Where are those pitches...really?
Singing intervals and chords
Developing relative pitch

Performance Skills:
Coping with Performance Anxiety
Microphone Technique
Internalizing your material
Communicating with Accompanist; terminology, counting tempos
Intros & endings
Creating basic arrangement
Singing the “story” of a song
Reaching your Audience
Getting your book together, choosing YOUR tunes
The importance of clear lead sheets in YOUR keys
Using Affirmations & Visualization

Improvisation:
Spontaneously creating music in the moment; freely or within the context of a tune
Scat Singing, Phrasing, Re-creation of melody
Extended Vocal Techniques

Coaching:
For performance & recording - why settle for merely good when great exists!

Lessons are usually an hour and divided into three parts: warm-up, vocal exercises, & developing repertoire/performance but can be varied to suit individual needs. I teach out of my Tribeca studio in lower Manhattan and am also available to teach from my Upstate New York studio near New Paltz 

Please CALL for rates/further info./schedule lesson

212-964-0852