Voice lessons help you to
-Prepare for a singing career
-Prepare for a university degree in music
-Prepare audition music
-Prepare solos
-Sing in a choir
-Be more confident
in your singing
-Express yourself
-Work through personal issues using music as a tool
-Sing as a hobby
-Enjoy yourself!
Lessons are tailored to meet the goals of each individual.
Healthy Vocal Technique
A healthy vocal technique is insurance for a lifetime
of singing. The foundation of singing is a healthy vocal technique whether the student sings classical,
musical theatre, folk, jazz, rock, country, or any other style of music. The production of vocal sound
is the same for all humans. Once a solid vocal technique is acquired, the placement of resonance can be
adjusted for various musical styles.
Voice lessons provide the opportunity to
-Find the natural
beauty of your voice
-Learn to breathe to support your sound
and promote your total health
-Learn a healthy vocal technique
-Expand your vocal range
-Increase your strength and stamina
-Build your repertoire
-Develop your musicianship
-Learn basic eartraining
-Learn to listen and tune
-Build your confidence
-Learn how to take care of your voice in order to sing all of your life
-Learn about yourself
-Enjoy yourself!
Advanced classical singers focus on
-Vocal physiology
-Vocal health
-Advanced vocal technique
-Art song,
oratorio, and operatic repertoire
-German, French, and Italian diction
-A survey of voice literature
-Sightsinging and eartraining
-Performance techniques
Children
Children naturally like to sing.
It is recommended that child performers study voice in order to learn a healthy vocal technique and how to care for
the voice. “Power singing” is not recommended because the vocal folds are soft, delicate, and
vulnerable to injury. At the age of 16, children may expand their range, increase their volume, and sing
for longer periods of time. It is still recommended that caution is used when “power singing.”
Piano Lessons
Piano
lessons are offered to
-Children in grades 3 - 12
-Adults
-Beginners
-Pianists in Levels 1 – 5
The Alfred, Bastien, and Faber series are taught in addition to variety of musical
styles with an emphasis on the classical style. Piano students must have daily access to a tuned piano in good shape.
Beginning piano students are required to practice a minimum of 30 minutes 6 days each week.
Lessons
are tailored to meet the goals of each individual. Drums, boomwhackers, and art are used to work on rhythm,
coordination, and expression. Music theory is offered to all students.
Expressive
Arts
The expressive arts combine the
visual arts, movement, drama, music and journal writing to foster personal growth and community development. By
integrating the arts processes and allowing one to flow into another, we gain access to our inner resources for clarity, illumination
and creativity.
Various classes/workshops are offered by Muzetta Swann, guest facilitators,
and Willow Oak Center for Arts & Learning.