Vocal Lessons for Kids and Adults
Studies have shown that learning to sing improves yur mental, physical, social, and emotional health. With my expertise in a range of vocal styles and background musical theater, I have many students transform from becoming novice singers to shining vocal artists.
Key Benefits of Taking Vocal Lessons
- It improves memory and brain function
- Improves posture
- Builds self-esteem and confidence
- Helps reduce stress and anxiety
- Improves speaking vocal quality and health
- Develop more social connections
My Vocal Teaching Strategies
I’m a classically trained voice performer, with many years of musical theater production experience. While serving on the church worship team over 20 years, I have sung jazz, blues, gospel, and pop professionally on stage and different platforms. I’m also a diverse singer and songwriter who specializes in worship leading, and writing contemporary gospel songs. I received training in Bel canto, Speech Level Singing and John Henny’s teaching methods. I incorporate these different techniques to help each of my vocal students’ goals.
What makes my voice lessons unique?
- Expertise in a Range of Vocal Styles –musical theater, jazz and blues, contemporary pop songs, worship contemporary music
- Vocal Performance Training
- Audition Preparation
- Songwriting skills
- Worship Leading Coaching
What will you get from taking voice lessons?
- Vocal Technique-Breath Control, Diaphragm Support
- Dictation and proper pronunciation- use of diphthongs, vowels, consonants
- Projecting your voice- healthy belting
- Artistry-phrasing, dynamics, finding your own voice
- How to Warm up and Cool down your Voice
- Accessing your different vocal registers
- How to sing vibrato
- Stage Performance and Auditioning
- Songwriting And Worship Leading
My Methodology for Vocal Training
I use a combination of methods to help the specific style the student is trying to achieve. I have found that Bel Canto is effective for those who want to develop their classical and musical theater voice. Contemporary sound like in jazz, pop or rock, I have found that the Speech Level Singing Technique has been highly effective. For those who want to develop their classical and musical theater voice, I have found that Bel Canto is effective. For those want a more contemporary sound like in jazz, pop or rock, I have found that the Speech Level Singing Technique has been highly effective.
Books that I like to use for technique training include:
- Sing Legato
- Vaccai, Hear it and Sing It!
- Sing It Series with Judy Neimack
I also like to incorporate these music apps for vocal training exercises
- Aural Wiz for ear training
- Smule- to sing songs for fun with a singing community around the world
- I Real Pro for Jazz singers
- Erol Singer’s Studio for vocal exercises
Best ways to prepare for vocal lessons
- Always practice your vocal exercises and warm up if you can before class for intermediate/advanced level students
- Do your homework assignments
- Practice your repertoire songs
- Listen to your lesson recording to take notes
Music Audition and Performance Preparation
I have helped numerous students audition for plays, college theater arts applications, or perform a selection of songs to a public audience.
It’s rewarding to see them land lead and supporting roles. Several of them are now pursuing a career in music or theater arts.
“Joann is amazing! I am learning new techniques on how to use my voice properly and sound better, discerning between my chest voice and head voice and practicing various ways of using speech level singing. Joann is experienced with different types of singing styles and I have been able to figure out that my natural style is.
She also has been very helpful with spontaneous singing technique. She has a way about her that puts me at ease and let’s me fully embrace the notion that comes with each song- something I’ve never been able to do. It’s a beautiful art form and Joann will definitely make you feel like an artist.
High class training that I highly recommend for kids and adults!”