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"I never thought I would make it this far. I
not re-enrolling like I thought I would because I accomplished more than I set out to do a lot
faster than I thought was possible - I sing on pitch, I feel confident and I feel like I can
go join a great choir now or go play out if I want and I never thought I'd be able to do that." - A male adult student who started with "tone deafness" More Student quotes click here |
Voice/Singing Lessons & Other Services - Click links below
...........private lessons for individuals
...........on-site consulting available for corporate clients, companies, shows, etc.
Services for Beginners
Private Voice & Singing Lessons in 25-, 40- or 55-minute lengths for beginning, intermediate or advanced singers of nearly all ages. Special programs for kids (click here). Private and occassional groups are offered and students can choose the genre and consult with the instructor to come up with songs that will be used that are appropriate. I teach students in practically all genres - my emphasis tends to be good technique first of all and second of all not allowing good technique to sidetrack you from being a good performer (it can if you allow it to dominate your mind and I teach with an eye out for that). I use different coursework for each student. Follow these links for a brief description of each:
Some things that are covered are the basics of voice use for singing or speaking including basic breathing techniques, posture based in Alexander Technique, etc. Most clients will see an increase in tone (the quality of your voice) the first meeting and may experience an increase in range as well either then or during the first few weeks of training. It is suggested highly that beginners meet weekly to ensure good progress is made.
Intermediate and more advanced students are also accepted and working with very advanced voices for fine-tuning is a specialty area available through this studio.
Pitch problems are a common thing in beginners and Nothing To Worry About usually. Pitch is generally improved through the process of normal vocal training although in certain cases pitch training can be neccessary and is also accomplishable.
Beginners are welcome to come in for one lesson and see if it's a good scene for them. If so, it is most helpful for them to take at least 12 lessons and the 12 week packages are set up for this length. Coming regularly is important to this type of student though.
It is a privilege to have the opportunity to be the first voice teacher for a singer and gives me an opportunity to set up the basics in a really solid way. Beginners, although they typically perceive that some teachers will not work with them because of their inexperience, are one of the easiest groups to work with because they often lack bad habits and because you do not have to undo any problems that are sometimes caused by some types of voice training. I love beginners and they are welcome here.
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Approach to Kids
I accept and work with kids who are developmentally ready for private lessons. Although I have worked with kids as young as 5, typically kids age 11 and over are most ready for private lessons. Children need a more conservative approach than adults because their voices are not fully developed yet and can be easily damaged by too aggressive an approach.
Kids are very fun to work with, though, and I really like the chance to get to help a child or young adult develop their voice by building a solid foundation. The years of childhood and early adulthood are very important because the skills learned in these years has a tendency to become integrated more wholly.
Kids learn much faster than do adults and need to be kept up with and not bored in order for them to maximize on their learning. Over the years, my youth students have been among my favourites and I have a 100% record of admission to the college of their choice for my students who have taken with me for one year at least.
My younger students have been admitted to many prestigious schools as well as other audition-only activities including music theatre parts, community theatre, school choirs, exclusive performing arts schools and even international pop and jazz charting and international jazz festivals (headlining). I am proud of my young students' accomplishments and always eager to work with young singers.
To find out if a child is ready for private lessons, sign them up for a short lesson and see how they do. If they are not ready, we will know at the first lesson and can have them come back in 6-12 months to see if they are ready. Some suggestions will be made to the parents or guardian for their development in the meantime if they need some time to be ready for privates.
To set up a trial lesson: Go to Lessons Reservations
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Services for Businesses and Corporations For professional voice users (actors, public speakers, lawyers, salespeople, auctioneers, etc)
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Although singing is generally perceived to be more stressful to the voice than speaking, some types of occupations involving speaking can put a great deal of strain on the voice due to volume requirements, repetitive use, and high-stress jobs combined with heavy voice use. Additionally, a resonant and rich speaking voice can have a tremendous impact professionally, especially for people who work in fields where persuasion or communication skills are very important.
People I have worked with in the past include mothers, attorneys, salespeople, public speakers, telephone operators, doctors, and business people. Some of my singing students come back in for public speaking assistance once they realize their kids are listening to them more and their co-workers, colleagues and clients are paying attention to what they say. Oftentimes, unfortunately, it is the quality of the voice and not the quality of the message that is listened to.
Availability I am available for speaking consultation in private sessions during my normal teaching hours. To get this service, sign up for a voice lesson as per normal. If you need me to come out to your business and do a consult to you and your co-workers or employees, that is available Monday & Tuesday in either the Bay Area or Southern California. Thursdays are available in Southern California.
Fees The fees are different for outside the studio consultations. In studio fees are the same as fees for private voice lessons and should be booked as such through the online scheduler or through the 800 number. Outside the studio work is charged at twice the rate as in-studio work and there is a one-way one-time travel fee of $1/mile from either 92116 or 94102 - whichever is the closer to you. Travel fees within the continental U.S. cap out at $1000 (if you are on the east coast, the fee will be $1000 to travel for instance). Full day consultations are available for $1250 per day (up to eight hours of work) plus the travel fee. I keep my per diem fees somewhat low so that local businesses and organisations can benefit from not having the travel fees incorporated into their rate. If you are located more than 100 miles from 92116 or 94102, the full day fee will apply.
Fees To book an outside consultation, please either email or call 800-206-4258 and let my secretary know. These are set up via email. To book an in-studio private session, please either use the online scheduler to book the appointment (rates are the same as private singing lessons) or call 800-206-4258 and my secretary can do that for you if you prefer.
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Continuing Education for Voice Teachers
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Teaching is an art form. Knowing how to sing (or being able to sing well) does not necessarily mean that teaching it will straightforward as so many of us know. It is somewhat challenging to try to find the right combination of words, gestures, imagery, and concepts that will convey meaning without causing extra tension that so often accompanies continued voice training. Some people can become more stiff as they go through voice training unless preventative actions are taken and it is my experience that many young voice teachers have difficulty helping their students release this tension and become coordinated in a natural way. When co-ordination is lost, the sound is unnatural, tight, and the singer sounds like they do not mean what they sing. Voice training should be increasing the ability to communicate, not decreasing it but often instructors feel helpless to this process. I teach in a somewhat unusual way that negates these problems. The effect is a more natural sounding voice. If this sounds like something that could benefit your studio, I'd be more than happy to work with you. I can remember struggling with this as a young teacher and it took me a long time to understand it and learn to convey meaning efficiently and constructively. I am willing to talk honestly to young teachers and often people bring in specific problems ("my students sound too dark" or "My students breath technically well but they are stiff now", etc). I am also willing to sit on any panels and do clinics and am just as eager to hear what others have to say as I think continuing your education in this field must be continuous.
I've worked with a number of voice instructors before and am always excited to get to meet and talk with teachers. I maintain confidentiality for my clients. Past clients have come in from as far as the east coast of the USA.
Fees the fees are the same as for a regular voice session if it takes place at one of the normal locations. Talk to me about coming to your choral group or doing clinics as on-sire work is priced differently.
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Services for the professional vocalist
There are as many types of services I offer for professional-level vocalists as there are clients. Since each client is different, I work in very flexible ways to come up with solutions for their situations. That said, I get called out for specific things quite frequently and I will list some of the more common types of consultations I do for pro-track vocalists. However, if you do not see yours on the list, it is just likely that it is not something that I do a *lot* but would be happy to discuss some possible solutions with you and see if I can help you or refer you to someone who can. Please feel free to contact me with that.
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Fine-Tuning the very advanced voice A specialty area is integration of the extremely advanced and pro-level singer's voice including opera, jazz, and other styles where extremely high function is a necessity. This is one of the only studios to offer this type of polishing. Years of training and the stress of professional work can cause a heavy, inflexible sound. Gain or regain the polish and sparkle through integration of your existing techniques. Immediate results for the advanced and professional opera singer or other high-functioning voice. All genres accepted for this very advanced-level work and this work will bring out many of the techniques already learned but not utilized. |
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Jazz Skills Skills for Professional and entry-level jazz performers.
Jazz studies are an area of specialty. Working with instrumentalists, counting a band in, sitting in
with instrumentalists, finding your key, preparing for concerts, shows, and auditions, finding &
polishing your sound & style, complete orientation for entry-level singers (finding your key, what you
need to have and known, etc). Fine-tuning the professional's voice and solving problems. Immediate
results for the advanced singer.
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Starting summer 2006, discounts for jazz 88 members, KCSM members and those pursuing jazz studies.
Beginning jazz studies singers learn
- Basic technique for singing (jazz emphasis)
- swing feel
- Bossa Nova and Samba
- Improvisation
- Repertoire development
- Developing an intimate sound
- what keys are right for you
- Interacting with a band or jazz players
- Developing a style
- What professional equipment (besides a mike and a cable) you will need
Intermediate jazz studies singers learn
- How to do your own charts
- In San Diego, the A List of jazz pianists is provided to save you auditioning time & heartache
- How to land a gig
- Singing in and out of the pocket
- Fine tuning your sound & style
- Rehearsing a band
- Grabbing the audience's attention with your vocal sound (not volume)
- More advanced vocal improvisation
Advanced jazz studies singers learn
- Fine tuning of the voice for your best tone ever. Utilizing the entire body as a tone production tool.
- In San Diego, the A List of jazz pianists is provided to save you auditioning time & heartache
- How to produce an arrangement
- Special attention to individual vocal problems
- Being able to use your entire range (3-3.5 octaves in most cases)
- Special topics as needed by the individual singer
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Coaching for groups - choirs, bands, et al. I often come out to choral groups or bands' spaces and work
with them as a group on breathing and other aspects of professional singing. Often professional musicians
do not necessarily have a great background in singing fundamentals but are great performers. Adding some
technique into the mix can do a lot to help harmonies to become more in tune, to get the group sounding
better and to start the individual members off on technique for group and solo work.
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In-Studio Consultations & track selection assistance. Site-specific analysis and problem-solving for first time or seasoned artists. Overcoming obstacles presented in the studio. An example of this can be demonstrated by this exercise: 1) talk - say your name or address or something. Listen to your voice and how it sounds. 2) now hold up the mouthpiece of a phone or cell phone and say the same thing into the mouth piece so that the person on the other end can hear you (there is not another person - this is for pretend). Listen to how your voice sounds. These two sounds generally sound very different. The first one sounds more robust for most people and the second one sounds less resonant, thinner, weaker, etc. This is one of the things that can happen in the studio to singers using microphones who do not have a problem with them in concert situations. |
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Group Singing Classes
- San Francisco Only
- 6 meetings
- Starts Sunday 16 January 12.05pm (noonish)-1.30pm. Last day of class is Sunday 5 March 2005
- If more than 8 people enroll, class will run to 2.15pm instead
- Limited to 12 people
- Beginners and those with no formalized training
- COST: $225 (note: discounts apply - pay prior to 26 Dec for advance reservation via credit card (10%), before January 15 for 5%, cash discount 5%. With both discounts it is $191.25 - dont forget the 25c or I will FREAK OUT - just kidding.) Deposits are non-refundable.
- TO RESERVE: Go to Lessons reservations after you email me and we decide it will be a good environment for you (please do this before you make your deposit)
- checque payment is OK - please email me for mailing address,
This class is set up for beginners to try singing lessons in a SUPPORTIVE group setting. Everyone in the class will be beginning and last time we did this, I am not kidding, people all got each other's phone numbers to keep in touch. We will be covering the basics including breathing and posture and learning a song. For those who would like to try presenting it in front of the class, a meeting will be especially for that. A great way to learn the basics without spending an outrageous amount of money on private lessons. A great way for people to set themselves up for private lessons or for people who like singing and are doing it already a lot to come in and improve their basic technique without breaking the bank. I am very serious about getting everyone out of the class with basic breathing and posture. A lot of times people in group classes slip through the cracks and the skills are really uneven among participants. That is why I have allocated an extra half hour after the end of class to have people stay later and get individual attention to keep everyone working at the same level. I am committed to getting *all* participants out of the class with solid breathing and posture, a more even sound, a more effortless singing voice. Other effects of this class are generally a naturally louder singing voice with less effort, a better-sounding voice, increased range, and overall better voice functioning.
By the end of the class you will:
- Know your range (soprano, bass, tenor) and have a concept of how to go about finding "your key"
- Know the basics of how the voice works
- Have down PAT how to "breath with your diaphragm"
- Learn what posture problems can do to your voice and what YOURS are specifically (this is different from the Posture Problems your Mom says you have...)
- Sing more on pitch ("in key")
- Learn how to take care of your voice so it doesn't get tired/hoarse/bad when you sing
- Have your questions answered about voice in a non-judgemental environment.
This class will use Alexander Technique approaches to singing and computers will be used (not ON you - don't worry) to show basic anatomy and other visuals aids. All techniques will be demonstrated and we will take it one step at a time.
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Piano & Keyboard for Popular Styles (beginning and intermediate only)
Piano basics for beginners and singers who want to start to accompany themselves. This is not a classical approach but deals with reading lead sheets, chord structure, playing songs from jazz, blues or rock charts, etc. Some technique is covered including fingering, scales for use in songs (major, minor, blues, modes). Suitable for beginning and some intermediate levels. Intermediate skills taught include: Transposing on the fly, voicing for jazz, swing feel ("groove"), and some technical issues.To set up a trial lesson: Go to Lessons Reservations
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Lead Sheet/Chart Transposing for jazz (& other genres)
Jazz and other types of singers need to know what keys they sing in. Mainly, singers give large sums of money to pianists to try to figure this out in person. However, it is more productive to work it out with a vocal specialist. Most pianists or other instrumentalists, if they are good at their instruments, spend their time perfecting their instrument. There are those who will tell you that singing is something anyone can do but singing is an art and a science. Vocal breaks fall in a certain part of the voice and knowledge of mike technique and even what lyrics are likely to change the range of a singer (and they do exist) can play a part in determining your key. I have two services I do for singers.- half hour session to determine your range and map your voice so that keys can quickly be determined ($50 on time fee) BOOK NOW
This will determine your comfortable range and map out problem spots in the voice that most instrumentalists do not even know exist. Additionally, the voice changes quality starting at a certain point and pitching a song in that range will result in a formal, non-jazz sound. Most times figuring out your key is done in a very time-intensive way which burns a lot of money for singers. This is somewhat irritating to me because there are so many ways that certain individual instrumentalists prey on vocalists this way. With a little knowledge of the voice you can figure your keys pretty easily and with a lot less money expended. Save it for your demo.
- Charts in your key $5 for charts only (no melody written in-just chord changes) and $8-10 for lead sheets (chart with melody line written in as well)
If you know your key, I can have them in as little as 20 minutes per leadsheet or chart in most cases if you let me know the tune. Complex charts may be a little longer. You may bring, send, or email me a copy of your changes if you have a specific one you want to use or we can use the standard jazz changes. If you do not know your keys, we can figure these with the assessment list above and use that to determine any number of keys. Determining your key based on the assessment is free with the chart/lead sheet.
Charts are drawn by hand and most people tell me that they are the easiest to read and clearest they have ver seen because I know how important it is for those charts to be clear. If an instrumentalists plays the wrong chord it is you, the vocalist, who suffers professionally because you are thrown off, so these are as clear as I would draw them up for myself. I can draw them fast because I usually transpose in my had when playing for my students so I am somewhat fast and do it several hours a day. You'd think I could play piano better by now though...
You may schedule a time to do an assessment on the online scheduler but if you just want lead sheets or charts in your key, email me your song list (see email on the navigational bar to your right) and keys and we'll do a half deposit via paypal or credit card and have the remainder sent over when the charts are delivered. Same day delivery often available for small orders. Delivery is via internet (PDF file) but they can be mailed to you for a $3-5 fee. Express mail available at cost.
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