TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

For nearly four decades, I have professionally trained and coached singers of all ages, levels, and musical styles. As a vocal instructor, my mission is to place the desires and wishes of each singer I assist first. I achieve the best results in enabling the singer to attain his or her goals by using teaching methods and pedagogical tools that work in harmony with how the voice functions most naturally, not against it.

My teaching methods are based in scientific analysis of vocal anatomy, as well as in a rich understanding of music history and ethnomusicology. With this knowledge as the foundation of my teaching, I am most effective in helping singers to achieve expressive and dynamic, free and easy, healthy, and safe approaches to singing.

With over 40 years of extensive formal training, integrated with my personal and professional singing experience, I have come to believe that anyone can sing. If given the proper tools, a healthy person can learn to sing well without any vocal hindrance or discrepancy whatsoever. It is my mission to be an advocate for and assist anyone who desires to experience and manifest the expressive liberating power of the art of singing.

Throughout my career, I have acquired a wealth of knowledge pertaining to vocal mechanics and expression through intensive study with master vocal coaches Jane Sharp, Seth Riggs, William "Hannibal" Means, Tikey Zes, and Miles Griffith. I have also been coached by Katie Agresta, Jeanette LoVetri, and Ken Tamplin and explored the Jo Estill singing method. Most recently, I have become an Authorized CVT (Complete Vocal Technique) Teacher, having studied for over 7 years in Copenhagen, Denmark at the Complete Vocal Institute under the direction of master vocal coach/researcher, Cathrine Sadolin and her esteemed team of professional vocal educators.